Yass local Neil Staines has never won a Ladbrokes Temora Cup, but he says it would “mean everything” if Wiradjuri Jack took out the feature final at the track he’s been heading to for more than 60 years.
“I’ve been going to Temora since I was five-years-old, I probably went in the pram too to be honest. When we lived at Condobolin, we raced at Temora all the time and I can remember like it was yesterday,” Staines said.
“Back in those days, my parents pulled the back seat out of the car so my sister and I could curl up either side of the dog. I’ll never forget the drives home when we’d just get into a deep sleep and then bang, we’d run over a huge rock and nearly hit the roof,” he laughed.
The Staines name synonymous with greyhounds across the Central West and Southern parts of NSW, with Neil’s parents Brian and Laurel ushering their son into the sport from an early age.
“Dad was a pretty smart trainer himself, and even though the Staines’ were all shearers, they all had greyhounds as well. Wherever we went, the dogs came too, and it has been that way forever and a day. Mum and Dad are both not about these days, but I always get fond memories of them when I drive out to Temora,” Staines said.
Now, Staines has a fresh chance to carve out another memorable chapter at Temora.
Kennel star, Wiradjuri Jack, through to the Group 3 Ladbrokes Temora Cup decider after claiming his heat in a personal best time of 25.70.
“It was an impressive win. He had to work on the outside of a couple of fast dogs, but when he turned for home, he put them to bed. The way he had to muscle his way around was the sign of a good dog and I couldn’t be more pleased with the run,” Staines said.
“I’ve always had an opinion of him from the word go. Ever since the breaker gave him one trial at Temora and said “you better come and get him mate”, we knew he could run. We knocked back some big money for him because he’s always shown something, and we hoped with a bit of luck, we might get a big race out of him one day,” he said.
The Ladbrokes Temora Cup final is worth $40,000-to-the-winner, and headlined by the likes of 2023 Paws Of Thunder champion She’s A Pearl, and new Temora track record holder Salad Dodger.
“She’s a hot field. The Victorian [Salad Dodger] broke the track record and you only have to look at who he beat [She’s A Pearl] to realise he’s a real dog. She’s A Pearl should be favourite for the final though, she’s got the two box, she won the race last year and she was broken in at Temora so she knows the place well,” Staines said.
Wiradjuri Jack landing the favourable Box 1 draw in the final.
“I’m not whinging about the red because he’s been jumping alright lately. It does take him a few steps to balance up and get into his work though, so hopefully he’s near ‘The Pearl’ at the turn and from there, he’ll have his chance,” Staines added.
“I know [Wiradjuri Jack’s] part owner Graham Dixon is over the moon with how he’s going as well and that’s the best part to be honest,” he said.
The kennel also qualifying Manton Larry fastest for the final of the Molly Harmer short course race over 330m.
“If Larry comes out, Larry rarely gets beat. If he don’t come out though, your arse is grass. You can’t tip him to anyone, but if he’s at a good price, you always want to have your $5 on Larry,” Staines said.
The Group 3 Ladbrokes Temora Cup Final will be run over 457m on Sunday, March 12.
