This Week In Racing History: October 29th – November 4th 2013
29th October
Worth Doing scored a brilliant win in the 1988 Vic Peters Memorial Classic final over 520 metres at Wentworth Park, winning by six lengths and running a new track record, 29.74 on the grass surface.
Scottish Express won the 2002 Ipswich Cup, the first run over 520 metres. Proven Assassin, fourth the previous year, ran fourth again.
30th October
The first running of the Topgun to feature overseas invitees took place in 1997 at Sandown. Farloe Brook from England, Welcome Treat out of Ireland, and Pat C Caste of the United States were no match for winner Chicago Blue, from Victoria, who defeated compatriot Awesome Assassin, with Roanokee (Qld) third, on a wet track.
Golden Danny notched his 11th win in 13 starts at Ipswich when he annexed the 2001 Ipswich Cup from a top-class field which included Springtime Magic (third), Proven Assassin (fourth), and Halla's Rocket (eighth). It was the last time the race was run over 512 metres.
31st October
Wylie Boy became the first greyhound to be placed in a previous Topgun before going on to take out the race the following year when he scored in the 1996 running, at Sandown. Wylie Boy had run third to Rapid Hiker the previous year and defeated South Australian Oak Raider by three-quarters of a length with Zealous Guy just a head away third.
1st November
Champion trainer Stan Cleverley annexed the 1969 Vic Peters Memorial Classic with the brilliant black sprinter Milimsimbi who defeated Silent Retreat and Plunder Road (Victoria) over 500 yards (457 metres) at Harold Park. Queensland star Pied rebel was fourth.
The 2003 Vic Peters Memorial Classic, run over 520 metres at Wentworth Park, was taken out by Collision. He scored by just over seven lengths for owner-trainer Tony Lockett and ran a race record 29.73. This clipped a massive 47/100ths off the previous race record set by Bigbad Luther in 1998.
Only first reserve, Royal Riddle gained a start in the 2006 Newcastle Cup when Peglana Star was scratched, and made the most of the reprieve to score from Kibble Kruncha and Miss Grub.
2nd November
Victorian sprinter Rapid Hiker broke the track record with a 29.80 run to take out the 1995 Topgun ahead of NSW champion Tenthill Doll and Wylie Boy. Among the unplaced division was Queensland champ Flying Amy (sixth).
3rd November
NSW speedster Paua To Burn won the 2005 Sapphire Crown Classic (formerly the Sir Arthur Rylah Sapphire Classic) at Sandown by 10 lengths to become the first greyhound to win the race twice in succession.
Cash Express from Victoria downed South Australian's Key Card and Token Ned to take out the 2007 Canning Show Cup over 715 metres at Cannington.
Tasmanian stayer Fallen Zorro took out the 2008 Hume City Cup over 725 metres at the Meadows, running a race record 42.54 for trainer Shane Whitney.
4th November
The Geoff Watt-trained Woolley Wilson snared the 1972 Vic Peters Memorial Classic in the rain at Harold Park, earning $7,000 for his owner Gary Wilson. His kennelmate Benny McGrath was fourth.
The first running of the Topgun took place in 1993, over 511 metres at Sandown. In a sensational race run on a wet track, local stars Worth Backing and Golden Currency deadheated, just half a length clear of Revealing. Star Title from NSW was fourth, ahead of Queenslander Toban Leigh, Worthy Reward (NSW), Horatio (NSW) and Dallas Duo.