Steven Brook with Magic Begins. PHOTO: Bob May
BOB MAY
A FORMER New South Wales greyhound won her first race in South Australia at just her second race start, at Gawler, on Friday afternoon.
In race nine, over 400m, Magic Begins jumped well from box five and took up the lead in the grade five event.
After opening up an early break of over three lengths, and with Isla Maye (two) and Lektra Guiseppe (seven) unable to make up the ground, Magic Begins went on to win by two-and-a half lengths in a very good time of 22.79 seconds.
Isla Maye tried hard but was unable to bridge the gap due to the fast pace, and had to be content with second spot for Lewiston’s Kevin Bewley.
Lektra Guiseppe was a further length away, and finished third for Cooke Plains’ Wendy Sebastyan.
Magic Begins is trained at Lewiston by Steven Brook and arrived in SA in April, running third at her first start here prior to Friday’s win.
The blue female is owned in NSW by Mary Hughes, who together with her partner have sent many greyhounds to Steven before.
Despite Magic Begins having some good runs and recording eight wins and nine placings from 34 starts in NSW, her owner decided to transfer the greyhound to SA to give her more racing opportunities.
Steven said Magic Begins is a little temperamental at times, and can be timid, so the change of environment looks like it might have worked as planned.
She has won over the 500m distance at Wentworth Park, so Steven hopes to be able to step her up to that distance here.
Steven and his partner Janette have 14 racing greyhounds, plus a couple of pets on their property.
His first involvement with greyhounds began about 30 years ago, but he gave it up due to work commitments shortly after.
However, it was when Janette bought a pup for Steven as a present that he got back into it some five years ago.
Steven loves his dogs and shares a genuine affection for the animals.
That should be a good environment to allow Magic Begins to show the best of her ability here in SA.
Gawler racing is held every Friday in the late afternoon timeslot, and each Tuesday starting around midday.
