Graham Pickering enjoyed a productive day at Gunnedah Greyhound Racing Club last Thursday, landing four winners across the 12-race programme.
Pickering’s winners included Armatree Judo in the Gunnedah Hotel over 431 metres, Swift Bree in the Mornington Butchery over 340 metres and Swift Ariel in the closing Carter’s Pharmacy Gunnedah.
The meeting featured a series of close finishes, with the final race producing one of the tightest results of the afternoon as Swift Ariel edged Bad Boy Banjo by just 0.13 lengths, with Swift Hank another nose away in third.
Pickering’s first success came in Race 4 when Armatree Judo scored in the Gunnedah Hotel, stopping the clock at 24.68 seconds over 431 metres.
Starting from box eight, Armatree Judo defeated kennelmate Armatree Pesto by 3.25 lengths, with Dust Cargo finishing third in 25.03 seconds. The winner was sent out the favourite and delivered a decisive performance for Pickering.
Pickering struck again in Race 9 when Swift Bree claimed the Mornington Butchery over 340 metres in 20.03 seconds. From box seven, Swift Bree finished half a length ahead of On Appeal, with kennelmate Swift Eli taking third.
The trainer completed his treble in the final event, the Carter’s Pharmacy Gunnedah, where Swift Ariel held off a determined challenge from Bad Boy Banjo to win in 19.73 seconds.
Swift Ariel, the favourite, jumped from box three and crossed the line just 0.01 seconds ahead on the clock of Bad Boy Banjo, with Swift Hank only 0.02 seconds behind the winner. The three placegetters were separated by just 0.25 lengths, rounding out the meeting with a thrilling finish.
One of the day’s most impressive performances came in Race 7, when Shout For Joy powered to victory in the Red Chief Motel 1-2 Win over 340 metres.
Trained by Colleen Wall, Shout For Joy led from the outset from box four and recorded 19.44 seconds, the fastest winning time among the meeting’s 340-metre races.
The favourite defeated Hara’s Rocky by three lengths, with Devon And Chips third in 19.93 seconds.
Shout For Joy’s 6.51-second split set the tone for the performance, maintaining its advantage throughout to secure a convincing victory.
Cookie Man produced another highlight in Race 8, taking out the GAPNSW.com.au event over 340 metres in 19.59 seconds.
Trained by Matthew Bryant, Cookie Man started from box eight and overcame a field that included early pace-setters Armatree Pasta and My Machine.
Armatree Pasta finished second in 19.69 seconds, 1.5 lengths behind the winner, while My Machine was third in 19.74 seconds.
Cookie Man proved too strong late, recording the fastest winning time of the meeting’s 340-metre events apart from the exceptional 19.44-second performance by Shout For Joy.
The meeting opened with Kenebri taking the Welcome To Gunnedah Greyhounds Maiden over 340 metres.
Trained by Robert Ryan, Kenebri led throughout from box four to win in 19.92 seconds. Mullaley Mick finished second in 20.27 seconds, with Tammy Again third in 20.50 seconds.
Royman then claimed Race 3, the We Stand With Tasmania Masters over 340 metres, for trainer Jamie Bush.
Starting from box six, Royman recorded 19.75 seconds and defeated Cheryl Blue by 3.25 lengths. Miss Ziva finished third in 20.04 seconds.
Royman produced one of the meeting’s longer-priced successes.
Race 2, the Courthouse Hotel 0-3 Win over 527 metres, produced a tight finish between Crackerjack Neil and Aston Hurn.
Crackerjack Neil, trained by Luke Neilsen, led from box six and held on to score in 31.01 seconds.
Aston Hurn chased hard to finish second in 31.05 seconds, just 0.75 lengths away, while My Fairy Bread was another 0.08 seconds behind in third.
Wakem took out Race 5, the Railway Hotel 1-2 Win, over 340 metres in 19.78 seconds.
Trained by Bradley Wakem, the winner started from box two and held off Latte Cargo, who finished second in 20.00 seconds. Glen Alpine was third in 20.23 seconds.
Ava’s Carlilah followed in Race 6, the Mikeloren Patisserie 1-2 Win, with a 19.99-second victory for trainer Rebecca Mizzi.
Ava’s Carlilah led from box four and held off Charlie’s Best and Burnside Libby, who dead-heated on the clock at 20.06 seconds for second and third respectively.
Drink Mojitos continued the sequence of competitive sprint results in Race 10, winning the Gunnedah Hot Bread over 340 metres in 19.77 seconds for trainer William Marmara.
Starting from box one, Drink Mojitos defeated Go Forward Blaze by one length, with Private Jake third in 19.99 seconds.
Queen Gout then took out Race 11, the Boggabri Mines, in 19.78 seconds for trainer Graham Pickering.
From box eight, Queen Gout defeated Jamaica Rum by 1.25 lengths, with Junior Creek third in 20.21 seconds.
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