Two trainers at very different stages of their careers took out the two main events at Dawson Park on Sunday night.
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Despite the rain bucketing down at times, one of the more special meetings on the Dubbo Greyhound Club calendar went ahead.
The Lesley Ann Leonard Memorial (400m) and Les Leonard Memorial (516m) events headlined the meeting and they delivered on the hype.
Leading Dubbo trainer Charmaine Roberts, a veteran of the track with countless feature wins under her belt, took out the Les Leonard Memorial with Give Us Ebony before up-and-coming Wellington trainer Samantha Ashman scored the biggest victory of her career when Winlock Pirate saluted in the Lesley Ann Leonard event.
"I've won the Lesley Ann a few times before but this is only about the second time we've had the Les [Leonard Memorial] so it was nice to win," Roberts said.
"He was tough as old boots but I always got along with him well while some others didn't.
"It was nice to win it and honour him."
While still thrilled to score a feature win and a remember someone she knew so well, Roberts' excitement was nothing compared to that of Ashman.
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Roberts didn't have a dog in the final, so was able to take it in and watch as Winlock Pirate ($5.30) got away well from box seven, took the lead from She's A Gem ($8.70) and then race to a commanding seven-length victory.
"She's on a bit of a roll now," Roberts said of Ashman.
"She was as nervous as all hell and pretty emotional afterwards because it was her biggest win.
"The favourite (Mr. Edward, $2.50) missed the kick and he was too strong and won it well. He did nothing wrong and was never going to get beat."
The win came a week after Winlock Pirate finished first in his heat at the Dubbo track and he now sits with a record of four wins and five placings from 13 career starts.
Roberts' winner on the night, Give Us Ebony, hadn't won before Sunday.
The bitch had placed twice in three career starts, but in the Les Leonard Memorial the $5.40 chance put it together when flying out from box four and leading from start to finish.
"She does plenty wrong and she's only tiny but she did it right this time," Roberts said.
"She's as strong as a bull ... she was bought as a pup and we reared her and she's no world-beater but she'll win a few."
Wesley McDonald, Kylie McDonald, and Neil Harrison all finished the night with doubles.
Nick Guthrie
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
