El Galo Annihilates The 2008 Group 1 Topgun

Written By Kevin Pitstock, Editor & Australian Greyhound Racing Expert Contributor Monday 27th October 2008  

El Galo continued his sensational sprinting year at The Meadows on Saturday night by taking out the Group 1 TAB TopGun in spectacular fashion.

El Galo ($2.50) was sent out favourite for the $100,000 to the winner Group 1 and never gave his supporters a reason for concern registering new record splits of 4.94 and 17.50 to romp to victory by 5 ½ lengths in 29.75 beating Regal Thyme ($5.40) and One Tree Hill ($12.90) who was a further 2 ¼ lengths away in third.

With the winner running amazing sectionals out in front, it was always going to be hard for anyone behind El Galo to run him down, and although those behind him tried valiantly the victor was never really in doubt.

El Galo add his first Group1 victory to his stellar year so far, having already won the Bendigo Cup, Warrnambool Cup, Bulli Gold Cup and Gold Coast Cup plus he also was runner-up in the Group 1 Australian Cup.

The win was Pearcedale greyhound trainer Jason Thompson’s third Topgun, having saluted with No Intent (2001) and Whisky Assassin (2004) he is the only trainer to win the event more than once. Thompson has also started more greyhounds in the “expert panel” selected Group 1 Topgun than any other trainer.

El Galo and connections have bypassed the Shepparton Cup and it will be interesting to see if they pursue a Melbourne Cup campaign with the chaser. In what might be a sign of Thompson’s concern over El Galo’s stamina, the dog has yet to face the starter at Sandown in any of his 48 starts to date.

After the placings the field finished in the following order 4th All Caution ($29.60), 5th Mantra Lad ($7.20), 6th Trew Millions ($8.60), 7th Queen Lauryn ($8.20) and Cindeen Shelby ($9.50).

El Galo is a blue dog whelped November 2005 by Where’s Pedro from Roxy Reason (Malawi’s Prince x Playground) raced by Seona Hood and trained by Jason Thompson he has raced 48 times for 29 wins and 13 placings, adding the Top Gunss first prize of $100,000 his overall stake earnings went to $302,930.

Listed below are the past Top Gun winners since the race commended in 1993

Group 1 Topgun Full Honour Roll
• 1993 Dead heat Worth Backing (VIC) / Golden Currency (VIC) Carl Haas / Kevin Mugavin Jnr 30.56 Sandown Park
• 1994 New Fox (NSW) Dennis Reid 29.98 Olympic Park
• 1995 Rapid Hiker (VIC) Philip Newman 29.80 Sandown Park
• 1996 Wylie Boy (VIC) George Rose 30.09 Sandown Park
• 1997 Chicago Blue (VIC) Brian Furness 30.00 Sandown Park
• 1998 Rapid Journey (NSW) Jane Carruthers 29.85 Sandown Park
• 1999 Mint Magic (NSW) Ray Watson 29.97 Meadows
• 2000 Placard (NSW) Ruth King 29.92 Sandown Park
• 2001 No Intent (VIC) Jason Thompson 30.17 Meadows
• 2002 Lindale Blue (WA) Colin Bainbridge 29.76 Sandown Park
• 2003 Bombastic Shiraz (VIC) Darren Cairns 30.06 Meadows
• 2004 Whisky Assassin (VIC) Jason Thompson 29.40 Sandown Park
• 2005 Black Enforcer (QLD) Tony Brett 30.02 Meadows
• 2006 Jaimandy Coops (VIC) Paul Donohue 29.60 Sandown Park
• 2007 Meticulous (VIC) Mario Briganti 29.88 Meadows
• 2008 El Galo (VIC) Jason Thompson 29.75 Meadows

Follow @GreyhoundRacing