His wife and fellow trainer Christine may be enjoying a well-deserved break but for DAVE Robartson it’s all business at Cannington on Saturday.
The couple, who have been training greyhounds for about 25 years, have Last Day going in the fourth heat of the Red FM Grade 5 Series (530m).
He faces some tough opposition but the consistent sprinter, out of former dual Nationals Sprint and Distance Championship winner Dashing Corsair and Take A
Squizz, will start in impressive form.
Christine is currently holidaying with girlfriends in Bali but DAVE is holding the fort and confident of another win.
“He’s just a good greyhound,” Robartson said. “Every time he runs he gives you value for money.
“He is a good chaser and loves the rail.
“If he can get out in front, he will be hard to stop.”
Last Day is a solid performer, having won 15 and placed on another 19 of his 45 starts so far.
This will be only his fourth outing over the 530m but he has placed on every other occasion and should go well here.
As last week, he starts from box three and will need to avoid trouble better this time.
“Last week he was unlucky,” Robartson said. “He hit the running rail and that put him out of the race.
“He still flashed home but there was daylight for the winner.
“He’s a good all-round kennel dog, very laidback and does everything right.”
Bingle Monelli (box five) is a very handy performer on her day, while Regal Patch has also been racing very consistently over recent weeks and could challenge here.
The Robartsons were introduced to greyhound racing in unusual fashion, initially running the refreshment kiosk at the Mandurah track.
“We got to know a bit about greyhounds so we started training,” Robartson said.
“It was interesting trying to find our way. You can ask six different people advice on greyhounds and get six different answers.
“I wouldn’t say we disagree about things any more or less than the average married couple. The good thing is we have something in common so there’s always
common ground between us.
“The biggest thrill for me is breeding good dogs – and racing them.”
Other notables racing at Cannington include Zelemar Fever in race two, Star Recall (race three) and impressive recent performer Clare O’Malley, who goes in race nine.
The race is the eighth of ten on the card at Cannington, which action under way at 9.08pm.
For Cannington Saturday fields, form and expert tips, click here.
