Just over 12 months after the passing of Brian Davis, the Healesville Greyhound Racing Club are honouring Brian who was involved with the club since its inception and respectively awarded a life membership by introducing the Brian Davis Memorial race.
Run over the 350 metre distance, the Brian Davis Memorial attracted seven heats last Sunday.
“Mon Mekki Kahn trained by Cheryl Paez was a very impressive winner in the heats and has drawn well in box one for the final. It would mean a lot to Cheryl and Greg as they were great friends of Brian’s, although they had differing opinions about football,” Healesville Greyhound Racing Association Manager Cynthia O’Brien said.
Brian was an avid Collingwood supporter and thankfully the Geelong and Collingwood match begins at 3.20pm on Sunday, – just after the Healesville races conclude.
“I think all of the trainers who entered for this event had an association with Brian and would often gather at his car and trailer to buy their mats and leads etc, or just for a good catch up about the footy or day to day events.”
Brian and his son Mark Giddings were both regular racers at Healesville, Brian also spent his time at the Club selling his products which earned him his very own reserved parking – which is worth gold at Healesville.
On Sunday Healesville will reveal the black and white garden by the parade yard in Brian’s honour.
“The Club thought it would be a nice way to honour the memory of Brian, who use to park his car and trailer under a small tree,” O’Brien said.
Unfortunately Healesville are unable to plant in the spot Brian used to park due to future projects, so the garden has been moved closer to the track and observation yard.
“Every dog and every trainer on the way to the boxes will walk pass the garden and as Brian’s family remarked, ‘he will be able to keep an eye on everything that is happening. He would have loved this spot,’” O’Brien said.
The Brian Davis Memorial is race five on the card and is set to jump at 12.22pm.
“Anyone of the eight finalists could take out the race as they had similar sectional times over the 300m. Of course, the final is over 350m and a couple of the runners haven’t raced over the distance so it will be a very exciting race.”
“Early Express has put together some very good runs here lately and could also be in with a big chance. Tommy Two has a tendency to get off the track at box rise, so is well drawn in box seven.”
Resident race caller James Van de Maat named Pat Me Again (box two) as his bet for the Brian Davis Memorial.
“Pat Me Again is drawn well in box two in an even field,” James Van de Maat said.
James Van de Maat’s top four in the Brian Davis Memorial.
2 – Pat Me Again
1 – Mon Mekki Kahn
5 – Sissy Monsoon
4 – Mac
3 – Adala Boy
