The 2020 Ladbrokes Temora Cup night was not just a special night for winning trainer Dennis Barnes however for his whole family.
Having claimed the Bathurst Gold Cup only one month earlier, Nangar Diva produced a dominant start-to-finish victory in front of a very proud family – except for Dennis himself.
“It was a big thrill for the whole family to win that race,” said Barnes.
“Unfortunately I didn’t go last night because I have a touch of the flu. I stayed home and watched it on the tele.
“Anne and my two daughters, their husbands and kids they all went across so it was a great night for them.”
It was Dennis’ wife Anne who travelled to Temora along with their extended family as the support team on what became a memorable night not just for Anne and Dennis, however also their son-in-law Chris Spratt.
“It’s very satisfying. That’s the second Temora Cup we’ve won now after ‘All Too Fancy’ so it’s a special track for us.
“Chris, my son-in-law won a race on the night, he won with Boree Belle in the second race and she went well too.
Nangar Diva’s time of 25.71s was the best of night time at Temora and her best time posted at the Riverina track.
In the final, Onyx Chief (25.98s) claimed 2nd place from box 3 while Smart Desire (26.09s) would run home in 3rd place from the 2.
Next from Nangar Diva, it’s Wentworth Park for the 2020 Ladbrokes Golden Easter Egg Series.
Following the Bathurst Gold Cup victory, Barnes took his victorious greyhound to Wentworth Park in the hope of claiming a Golden Easter Egg Prelude. The purple patch of form continued in from the bush to the city, with Nangar Diva claiming her Prelude in a time of 29.90, .03 outside the best of night time.
“I think I’ll give her a week off and work out what’s next.
“She won a Golden Easter Egg Prelude so I think we’ll take her back down and give her a chance. I have no aspirations of winning it but she can go around there so we’ll see how she goes.
“She ran 29.50 odd one night on a night where the track (Wentworth Park) was good.
A man who “officially retired” three years ago, Barnes still holds his greyhounds close to his heart.
His real breeding though is breeding his greyhounds and with results like Sunday’s, it makes moments like that at one of his favourite tracks in the land a little more special.
“I love the breeding and I love raring dogs and to get a few wins like that is really special. My wife absolutely loves these greyhounds racing, I’m more into the breeding and raring.
“I love that track at Temora. It’s one of the best one-turn tracks in Australia. It’s a fantastic track and gives every dog a chance.
“We don’t do the breaking in anymore. Sandra and my son-in-law Chris do that as we’re officially retired away from there so we just have a bit of fun racing our dogs.”
