BOB MAY

IT is always an advantage to begin well in racing, and one greyhound certainly did that by getting away to a flying start to win at Gawler on Friday.

Race two on the program was a 400m maiden event, which saw the box one runner Sky Dasher take off like a rocket, running the second fastest first section of the day – an excellent effort for a maiden.

With the rest of the field just finding its feet, Sky Dasher had already set up a very handy three length break.

First starter Bar Double (five) took off in pursuit and quickly made up ground to be placed directly behind the leader, but ran greenly and was unable to improve.

Sky Dasher then pulled away to win by two lengths in a good time for the heavy track conditions of 23.03 seconds.

Bar Double was second for Lewiston’s Mike Wittholz, with another first starter, Burnt Gold (seven), finishing third for Des Hockley, also from Lewiston.

Sky Dasher is trained at North Haven by Chris Lennard for owners and breeders Nathan and Kerri Wilson, of Pinnaroo.

The black female has only had two prior starts, with this her first run back after a three-month spell.

Chris was happy with the run after the break, and said she had matured in that time.

If Sky Dasher can continue with the flying start, she will be very competitive in the future.

Chris had an unusual introduction to greyhound racing, and it came about while looking for a pet dog.

While not specifically looking for a greyhound, he was keen to find a family friendly one, and came across greyhounds through the Greyhound Adoption Program.

He adopted one, and then through the previous racing owners got to know the Wilsons, and his interest grew from there.

Chris also handled greyhounds for prominent trainer Tony Rasmussen, gaining practical experience and knowledge there, and was grateful for the help received from many others across the industry.

Racing is held at Gawler every Friday and Tuesday afternoon.