Western Gretel is pictured here with the winning connections following her win at Tabcorp Park.
Which fledgling trotting training operation recorded its 10th win at Melton last Thursday having been established just over seven months ago?
If you answered the Cranbourne Harness Racing Club Training Complex you’d be right.
Imported Kiwi mare Western Gretel brought up the significant milestone when she was successful in the TAB.COM.AU Pace on debut for Alan Dunsmuir.
The young trainer is the latest conditioner to make the move to Cranbourne and he has already made an impact through the deeds of Buntys Bass and Aftermidnight Sam in recent weeks.
On Thursday however it was the recently acquired daughter of Western Terror who was to the fore with an impressive victory at headquarters.
Sent out favourite for the event, Western Gretel was only moderately away from the mobile and settled three back on the pegs for leading reinsman Chris Alford.
Suited by a solid pace set by the leading division Western Gretel was able to shift away from the markers rounding the home turn to set sail after the leaders.
For a few strides it appeared that the mare’s connections were going to have to be satisfied with a creditable placing first up. But under vigorous driving from Alford, Western Gretel knuckled down to her task to overhaul Blissful Elmo and Comeon Getalife in the shadows of the post.
The winner’s mile rate was a respectable 2:00.1 for the 2,240 metres and included a slick closing quarter of 28.2 seconds. Given that Western Gretel gave her rivals a start at the 400 metres there is no doubt that she broke 28 seconds for the final split of the race much to the delight of her young trainer.
“I have to admit Gretel hasn’t been the best track worker since arriving from NZ and leading into her first start she hadn’t produced the turn of foot she showed at the business end of the race on Thursday,” Dunsmuir explained.
“She had shown ability in her few starts in New Zealand although she had raced on the grass at her most recent outings and it’s often hard to get a gauge on just what speed they possess from grass track form. Hopefully she can now go on to produce good results for her new owners.”
Managed by local enthusiast Tim Garrett, the ownership group in Western Gretel includes first time trotting owners Gray Harrison, Leon Halliday, Peter Wooland & Sean Dawson.
The Cranbourne Training Complex now hosts more than 25 horses in the care of Dunsmuir, Charlie Wootton, Viv Tomren, Tony Mallia, Brian Duthie, Rick Cashman and Ken Browne.
Anyone interested in arranging a visit to see the facilities on offer at the centre can contact club CEO David Scott on 5996 8677.