A total of seven flyers from the Port Augusta Homing Club hampered up 128 birds, and these were included, in the transport unit with pigeons from Port Pirie, Flinders, Port Lincoln and Whyalla.

John Pycroft and Greg Thornthwaite travelled with the race teams, and at 7.45am, Saturday, assisted by Coober Pedy’s one and only pigeon flyer Harold Adams, the birds were liberated into high breaking cloud skies with a five to 10 km north/west wind.

The first birds arrived back in Port Augusta six hours and 37 minutes later, and the winning pigeon, which was bred at the Dighton’s West Side Loft, was clocked in by Tuffy and Gloria Martin, giving them their fourth win for 2009.

A close second was Perri-Jae Dighton, with Graham and Josie Grantham placing third.

Minor postions were Gary Grantham, Brett Ferber, Harrison Family and Crossroads Lofts.

Returns were reported as scattered and flyers have had many out-of-town birds arriving at their lofts.

Tuffy Martin held his own Calcutta and Stumpy from the Dighton’s Loft won the pool bird.

Brett Ferber won the money card.

Greg brought back a box of finches which Harold Adams had caged for him.

Next week the club will race from Two Wells over a distance of 245 kms and transport unit drivers will be John Pycoft and Trevor Grantham from the Flinders Homing Club.

The Iron Bird Competition has two birds left to compete, one from the Harrison Family’s Loft and the other pigeon is raced by Graham and Josie Grantham.