Omen bet Royal Hotel wins as Royal Hotel Social Club members cheer loudly
Words, Images: Bill Poulos
THE greatest omen bet of all time saluted at Moree greyhounds on Saturday when Royal Hotel won the 302m Moree Broadcasting 5th Grade Stakes – on a day when the Royal Hotel Social Club made the meeting its own.
As Royal Hotel scampered away with a strong win for Wee Waa trainer Tim Anderson members of the social club bearing the same name scampered as one to collect from beleaguered bookie Brian Steele.
“It was a very bad result, simply because of the name of the dog,” Steele said.
Graham Pickering with Royal Hotel Social Club Stakes winner Lunatic Desley and race sponsors – the Royal Hotel Moree Social Club.
“The best price we bet was 3-1 and it came in to 2-1 at the finish for obvious reasons – it was a well-backed dog.
“The owners supported it well and all the social club members supported it very, very well, too,” he said.
“But all in all, it was a good day for the club. There were lots and lots of people who knew nothing about dogs but were backing winners and having fun.
“It’s been a good day and I’m sure the club is very happy with the way things have turned out.”
Social club spokesperson Kerry Hine said about 60 members – better known as the Royal Family – enjoyed a day that produced plenty of winners, eskies chock-full of ice-cold beer and fresh prawns by the kilo.
Graham Pickering’s Lunatic Desley charges clear to win the 421m Royal Hotel Social Club Stakes at Moree on Saturday.
“We hadn’t been anywhere for a while and we wanted to do something a bit different,” Hine said.
“It’s been a fantastic day and we’re really happy that we could support the greyhound club – it’s only a small club with a small committee but they really put on a good day for us,” she said.
Secretary Helen Ayre said the club hosted one of the biggest crowds seen at the local track in many years.
“I think it’s absolutely wonderful that the social club came out to support us,” Ayre said.
“I really do appreciate that they’ve thought of us – it’s wonderful, and it’s made for a really great day.
Royal Hotel Social Club members (from left) Curly Peachey, Doug Pink, Wayne Gammon and Rodney Schoupp enjoyed a day of dogs and cold beer at Moree on Saturday.
“I’m sure they’ve had a good time, and I hope they decide to do it again one day,” she said.
Out on the track, Graham Pickering’s Lunatic Desley (4-1) made a one-act affair of the 421m Royal Hotel Social Club 4th-5th Grade Stakes, charging clear of kennelmate On Interest (5-2) to score by a widening two lengths.
Lunatic Desley, whose full sister Mitcharlie Mia won a heat of the rich Golden Easter Egg at Wentworth Park on Saturday night, ran the trip in 24.43 seconds.
“Charlie Northfield sent her down to me and she’s now won six races for us,” Pickering said.
“She’s a full sister to Mitcharlie Mia so we hope she can keep shaping up.
“When she was in second spot coming through the catching pen I knew she’d be hard to beat. My other dog (On Interest) was in front but he’s not as strong as her at the finish,” he said.