The team at Sargeant Transport will be ‘honking horns’ for one of its managers, Donna Knight, at Ballarat on Saturday morning.
Based at Talbot, Knight has four runners engaged in Week 2 of Greyhound Racing Victoria’s historic three-week trial of Saturday morning greyhound racing.
“It’s a great concept and the extra meeting is a bonus for participants,” Knight said. “Ballarat is also my home track, and there’s such a good atmosphere at this ‘family club’… You can also have some light-hearted banter with the friendly staff.”
Knight has been the transport manager of Sargeant Transport, only minutes away from Ballarat GRC, for 10 years.
“We look after the western region and I put all the loads together based on orders – which are predominantly supermarket orientated,” Knight said.
Knight, 40, is committed to her work duties, but greyhound racing is her first love.
“As soon as I turned 18, I got my trainer’s licence,” Knight said. “Dad (Rod) trained greyhounds when we were living in Braybrook and I would help walk and feed them. And mum (Di) was the ‘driver’ in those days.”
Knight rates Catch Kate (Race 9, Box 8 – 10.20am) as her best chance at the meeting.
“She’s only won one race from 23 starts but has also been consistent with 12 placings… She loves Ballarat and is quick out of the boxes, and that helps when you’re racing over the short trip (390 metres).”
Catch Kate is raced by the Dailly Greyhound Farms syndicate and Knight said one of its members, George Dailly, has been a huge help as a mentor.
She also thanked her partner, Jeab, who also assists with her team of greyhounds.
“He has been a lot more hands on in the past month as he has a Muay Thai gym (just around the corner from the Ballarat greyhound track) which had to be shut down due to the coronavirus pandemic,” Knight said.
Knight is also keen on Stellio (Race 5, Box 1 – 9.20am), who has only started on three occasions for one win.
“He’s been looking for the rails; he comes out and just goes left. I was happy when I saw the box draw.”
However, Knight is less confident about her other two runners – Kurtlee Bale (Race 3, Box 6 – 8.50am) Mr. Rain Maker (Race 7, Box 4 – 9.50am).
Kurtlee Bale is contesting his second race start, having finished seventh last week at Ballarat.
“He (Kurtlee Bale) is still learning and is a bit raw… He’ll improve with race experience and maturity.”
Meanwhile, Mr. Rain Maker has notched five wins from 35 starts.
“He’s been outclassed lately… But he was unlucky last start and just needs a clear run.”
You can now watch every Victorian greyhound race live and free via The Watchdog mobile form guide app, or follow ‘Watchdog Racing’ on Twitter or Facebook.
