By JASON ADAMS
GIN Lee’s Gem broke through for her first city win at start number 71 last Thursday night at Sandown Park, claiming a thrilling victory in the final of the GOTBA Cup.
Landing in front from box rise, Gin Lee’s Gem held off fast finishing favourite Black Foo, much to the delight of owner Gino Bisognin.
“She went very well… I was super pleased with her win, we are all very proud of her.”
The win was just reward for the patience shown by Bisognin and trainer Florence Alister. A promising pup, Gin Lee’s Gem has battled a condition known as acidosis as well as a number of injury setbacks before breaking through in town.
“After eight months she finally recovered from a bout of acidosis, then not long after she injured her monkey muscle, which was quite a setback.
“We took our time during her recovery and never overworked her. She loved her sausage stews and of course she got a lot of TLC,” he said.
Bisognin owns a chicken shop in Cranbourne, and it was this connection that saw Gin Lee’s Gem arrive in his possession.
“I was selling mince to Florence and she offered me ownership of a greyhound she had bred. It was an offer I couldn’t refuse,” he said.
Gin Lee’s Gem instantly became part of the family, even being named after her new owners.
“My partners name is Lee so we put our names together and came up with the name Gin Lees Gem.”
The win was the 14th of Gin Lee’s Gem career and took her career prize money to $34,730.
Earlier in the night, Hall of Fame sire Bombastic Shiraz was again named the Greyhound Owner Trainer Breeder’s Association’s Sire of the Year, while Princess Bale was named Brood Bitch of the Year.
