In-form ‘battler’ out to break 457-day winning drought on Tricode night

[Wandering Eyes]

Racing’s three controlling bodies unite once again for the annual Tricodes meeting at Cranbourne on Friday night.

It’s a chasing, racing and pacing extravaganza – with 24 races shared between the greyhound, thoroughbred and harness codes. And patrons will be treated to non-stop racing action!

The main greyhound racing feature is the City of Casey Go Distance Racing (0-4 Wins) special event over 699m, carrying a first prize of $3300. It’s Race 4 at 7.40pm.

Battling Burwood East trainer Anthony Lamarca, who has Cayden Bale (Box 4) in the Restricted Win race, says victory “would mean a lot to me financially”.

“It’s been a bit of a struggle… It (the $3300 first prize) would come in handy.”

Lamarca, 48, lost his father, Sam, aged 81, in August 2019 and he’s now a full-time carer for his mother, Aurelia, 74.

“Dad used to take me to Olympic Park as a kid in the mid-1980s and that’s where I developed a passion for greyhounds,” Lamarca said.

Cayden Bale has only won one race (with 12 seconds and 13 thirds) from 76 starts, with stakes totalling $7300. And now he’s out to break a 457-day winning drought!

WATCH: Cayden Bale’s (4) one and only victory from 76 starts – at Bendigo on December 11, 2019.

“I noticed him advertised on Greyhound Data in early September last year after he’d had 45 starts,” Lamarca said. “And I eventually picked him up as a giveaway.

“He’s a very keen chaser… He jumps okay but has a flat spot and is a bit one-paced. He needs the ‘outside’, but he’s had no luck with box draws.”

Lamarca started training greyhounds in the late 1990s. In fact, his first winner was Cheeky Azz in a Maiden at Geelong on November 7, 1998.

But around seven years ago he gave greyhound training away due to shift work commitments in IT. However, he never lost interest in the sport and the COVID-19 pandemic was a catalyst for a comeback.

“During COVID, I was getting a bit bored and that led me to getting Cayden Bale… Plus, I like to walk and keep fit,” he said.

Lamarca says Cayden Bale (Jan ’18 Allen Deed x Ivy Bale) has a friendly and lovely nature, and with four minor placings in his past five starts an upset is not entirely out of the question.

“I give him a chance, but I’m not sure if he’ll run it out (699m). But you have to put them in and test them out.”

Meanwhile, a non-racing highlight will be Lee Harding performing Mystify: The Songbook of INXS after the last race.

The COVIDSafe event will be capped at 5000 people.

Gates open at 4.30pm, with adult online tickets costing $15 dollars and kids under 18 admitted free.

“During COVID, I was getting a bit bored and that led me to getting Cayden Bale… Plus, I like to walk and keep fit.”

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