By Darren Cartwright
This Time Sara brought tears to the eyes of her owner after winning Best In Show at the Ipswich Sweepstakes for racing greyhounds, making her a winner before she even steps on a track.
Turning two years old in August, This Time Sara won Pre-Race Bitches, Best Bitch and Best In Show, much to the emotional delight of owner Errol Marschke (pictured with trophy).
Errol had one leg amputated three years ago and the other removed 12 months ago and in between the operations This Time Sara arrived.
His wife Stella, who trains in the Lockyer Valley, said Saturday was a very emotional day for Errol who has formed a close bond with the promising greyhound.
This Time Sara is likely to have her debut race later this year.
“He was so over the moon,” Stella said.
“When the judge went up to congratulate him, he was nearly in tears. It was choking him up.
“We bred her, her mother and the grandmother and she was born after he had the first leg taken off, so she means a lot to him."
Also winning without having raced was All Torque, who claimed Best Dog and the blue ribbon for Pre-Race Dogs.
The 19-month-old is one of four greyhounds in the kennel of Beaudesert-based Nikki Peters, who has returned to training after a five-year hiatus to concentrate on her hairdressing salon.
His off-the-track win comes ahead of his expected debut in the Eric Thompson Memorial Maiden Heats at Albion Park on July 20.
The Final will be staged on July 28.
“He’s 19 months and I’m hoping to run him in the maiden heats at the end of the month and I am just taking my time with him,” she said.
“He’s never done a show before and when the judge awarded him, he said ‘he’s the nicest one here, but he’s also the most wayward.”
Nikki said she enjoys showing her racing greyhounds, whenever she can, to promote the breed to the public and show the love the trainers and owners have for their pets.
“I have tried to support showing race dogs, mostly for the public, to show how much we look after the dogs,” she said.
“All Torque is in work for a maiden race, and I just wanted to promote how much we care for them.”
The Ipswich Sweepstakes was to be staged in May at the Ipswich Show, however, it was postponed after the Show was cancelled because of inclement weather.
The Ipswich Sweepstakes was to be staged in May at the Ipswich Show, however, it was postponed after the Show was cancelled because of inclement weather.
Saturday’s event was a precursor to the Ekka Sweepstakes at the Royal Exhibition Showgrounds on August 7.
Racing Queensland has bolstered the prize money across all categories for racing greyhounds on show at the Ekka and, for the first time, exhibitors will be paid an appearance fee for every entry.
The racing greyhounds at the Royal Queensland Show compete in the Ekka Sweepstakes, with the winner of each category receiving between $200 and $500 with their blue ribbon.
Overall, the total prize money has been increased by more than 30%, with the contest returning for the first time since 2019 after the Ekka had been cancelled because of the COVID pandemic.
There are six classes overall, with five of them divided into bitch and dog categories.
The winner of each class will receive a $200 cheque, with cash prizes paid down to fifth place ($40).
There are four champion categories with a top prize of $500 for the winner of Best Breed, $400 for Best Dog and Best Bitch and $300 for Best of Breed neutered.
Rounding out the awards, a trophy, sash, certificate and $50 prize money for best Junior Handler (under 16).
To enter, click here. The last day to enter is Friday, 8 July.
Ipswich Sweepstakes 2022 Results
Dogs
Class 1 - Puppy Dog
1st - Special - Tripe Ptn
2nd - Shreek - Tribe Ptn
Class 2 - Pre-Race Dogs
1st - All Torque - Nikki Peters
2nd - Bounce House - Aaron Chalmers
3rd - Frankie - Nikki Peters
Class 3 - Race Dogs
1st - Chase A Lot - Sam Bloomfield
2nd - Consider Me Gone - Aaron Chalmers
Class 4 - Veteran Dogs
1st - Big Boy Betro - Kerry Landers
Class 5 - Retired Pet Dogs
1st - Blazing Explorer - Marie Westwood
2nd - Premier Sticka - Shani White
3rd - Fly With Me - Kelly Anderson
BEST DOG - ALL TORQUE - Nikki Peters
Bitches
Class 1 - Puppy Bitches
1st - Ivy - Nikki Peters
2nd - Ace - Tribe Ptn
Class 2 - Pre-Race Bitches
1st - This Time Sara - Errol Marschke
2nd - Jocie - Charlie Taylor
3rd - Small Torque - Nikki Peters
Class 3 - Race Bitches
1st - Lithe Lola - Erin Cameron
2nd - Not A Fox - Kelly Anderson
3rd - Dynamite Devine - Tribe Ptn
Class 4 - Veteran Bitches
1st - Monica's Joy - Rinky Dink Ptn
2nd - My Girl Gracey - Erin Cameron
3rd - This Time Mary - Aaron Chalmers
Class 5 - Retired Pet Bitches
1st - Mad Invite - Sam Bloomfield
2nd - Bow Girl - Marie Westwood
BEST BITCH - THIS TIME SARA - Errol Marschke
BEST IN SHOW - THIS TIME SARA - Errol Marschke