Lamarca's Winning Drought Comes To A Halt

TEN months of perseverance paid off for Anthony Lamarca at Sandown Park on Sunday when Cayden Bale ended a 593 day winning drought.

TEN months of perseverance paid off for Anthony Lamarca at Sandown Park on Sunday afternoon when Cayden Bale ended a 593 day winning drought.

Cayden Bale won his sixth career start in December 2019 but had been unable to greet the judge since.

He arrived in Lamarca's Burwood East kennel in early September 2020 as the veteran of 49 career starts, and since then had been placed in 18 of his next 49 starts before finally breaking through for his second career win at start number 50 for his new trainer.

"I can't believe it!" said a delighted Lamarca after training his first Sandown Park winner since 2003.

"When I first got him he couldn't run 400m but I thought if I can get him nice and fit and get him to go the one pace hopefully the other dogs will come back to him.

"It's a real big thrill for me. I've just been wanting to get a win for the dog, I'm just thrilled – over the moon actually."

The win came as a welcome boost for Lamarca.

He was introduced to the sport by his father who used to take him to Olympic Park as a kid and instilling in him a lifelong passion for the greyhound. He started training in the 1990s but took a break from the caper when work commitments took over.

However he returned to training as way staying active after losing his job when the COVID pandemic hit, and now balances the training of two greyhounds with full time care of his mother.

Having secured the well-deserved win, Lamarca planned to celebrate with Cayden's favourite treat.

"I've heard a lot of trainers give their dogs soft serve ice creams, and I got him one after a race one day but he watched me eat my burger and he polished that off instead. So tonight he'll be getting a burger, absolutely!"

"I don't care if he never wins another race, I've got him to win a race. He's my pet more than anything, he's a beautiful dog."

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