There was a bonus for the successful connections at Saturday's Tamworth Greyhound Racing Club meeting.
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It was the club's first meeting under Greyhound Racing NSW's new prizemoney levels for all Country non-TAB tracks.
Maiden races are now worth a total prize pool of $600 with $350 for first, fifth grade $650 ($400 first), fourth grade $700 ($450 first) and third grade+ $750 ($500 first).
Michael Ruttley was the first to benefit with Rutland Bella breaking her maiden status in just her second start when powering to a seven length win in the first race of the day, the Welcome to Tamworth Greyhound Racing Maiden (340m).
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Kennel-mate Rutland Jess made it double delight for the Manilla trainer after the first two races when she then took the win in the Mikeloren Patisserie Appreciation 5th Grade (340m).
Brett Hastie's Family Touch snuck home on the inside by just a quarter-of-a-length to win the Race Day Staff Appreciation 4th/5th Grade (340m).
Graeme Ball's West End Girl was too good in the John Cini Painting Appreciation 2nd/3rd Grade (340m).
Mark Munn's Got To Drive went one better than his last start second at Gunnedah when edging out Fast Mary Lou (Maurice Austin) and Okane Saga (Matthew Hannay) by three-quarters of a length in the Peel Valley Traffic Control Appreciation Maiden (402m).
In what was a close finish, the photo was needed to split the minor placings.
The judges were kept busy with Sceptic (Glen Collett) and I'm Dusty (Stephen Howarth), appearing, to the naked eye, to hit the line together in the next race, the Duke's Ice Appreciation 5th Grade (402m).
On the photo evidence, Sceptic, on the outside, was awarded the win.
Armed Ruler (Robert Green) then continued his good form, running away for a three-and-a-quarter length win in the Racing Again November 20th 4th/5th Grade (402m).
The blue/fawn dog has in last five starts finished first, second, second, first and second.
There was unfortunately a death at the meeting with Kaluk Kaluk having to be euthanased after being checked on the first turn of race 4 and suffering a compound fracture of the nearside radius and ulna.
In their report the stewards said: "Blue Ando checked the heels of Wonder Wolly in the first turn, causing Blue Ando to fall and severely check Kaluk Kaluk, which also fell and failed to finish the event".
Blue Ando was vetted post-race but showed no apparent injury.
