DAVID Rose finished with a “mixed bag” when the Bingara publican and hobby greyhound trainer raced three greyhounds at Tamworth on Saturday.
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He won the third race, the Jeff Teege 3rd/4th Grade (340m), with Sportsman Shiraz, ran second in the fourth race, The Northern Daily Leader Blue Paws Maiden Heat 3 (340m), with Sportman’s Kev and then finished out of a place in the Kevin Smith Paints 4th/5th Grade (402m) with Sportsman Liam.
With six wins from 21 starts Sportsman Liam was the one Rose thought had the best chance of winning.
Sportsman Shiraz, he laughed, “was the least favoured”.
“It was great to get a win,” Rose said.
“A win, a second and a disappointment.
“He (Sportsman Liam) was the one we thought might win. That’s racing.”
While he trains greyhounds for a bit of fun with good mate Mick Keelan, Rose is also the licensee of the Sportsman Hotel in Bingara.
“I’ve been there for 10 years,” he said.
“I’ve had two stints in between two heart attacks and now the cancer might get me.”
The puppies have been a great source of fun for Rose and some of his patrons and friends.
So much so that he brought a mini bus full to the greyhound meeting and then onto the Sharks v Knights NRL trial at Scully Park on Saturday night.
The rain didn’t matter, he said.
“We just decided to come down for the greyhounds and then the footie,” he said.
“I brought all my customers, who are also good friends.”
That Cronulla came from behind to beat Newcastle 22-16 would have also been a delight for Rose, who was hoping to see and speak to a few of the Cronulla players.
One of Rose’s new friends and greyhound mates is John Sullivan.
The former executive officer of Country Cricket NSW is now living and working in Bingara.
A former fast bowler who won premierships with West Leagues (now West Tamworth) in Tamworth first grade and Nowland Cups (now War Veterans Cups) with Tamworth in the North West Cricket Council (now Northern Inland CC), Sullivan is in awe of his mate, who is fighting cancer with good humour and high spirits.
“He loves his dogs,” Sullivan said.
“‘And he’s having a few battles with his health.
“But he’s got great drive.
“And he loves the Sharks.
“I love the little trips too. We went to Grafton the other day – didn’t win one but had a good day.
“And we’ve had a bit of success on the punt too.”