South Australia Names Greyhound Of The Year Finalists

Written By Kevin Pitstock, Editor & Australian Greyhound Racing Expert Contributor Wednesday 7th January 2009

The Greyhound of the Year Selection Panel met this week to determine the Finalists for the 2008 SA Greyhound Of The Year. The panel members will now cast their individual votes on the title, with the winner announced at the Awards Dinner on Saturday 17th January.

Of the five finalists, four were monthly winners, with Risk It the only non monthly winner, but polling in three months during the year.

The 2008 SA Greyhound Of The Year Finalists are:

DAD’S MEMENTO

Starts 16-1sts 11, 2nds 2, 3rds 1
(SA Bred) Trainer : Kirin Corby
Total Prizemoney $19,770
Greyhound of the Month – February & March – (scored votes in 2 months)
Won – SA St Leger, Breeders 2008 Prelude (1), Heat & Semi SA Breeders Plate
Best Time: 29.70 (515m Angle Park)

DRINK DRIVER

Starts 25 – 1sts 10, 2nds 4, 3rds 3
Trainer : Rob Harnas
Total Prizemoney $18,410
Greyhound of the Month – August – (scored votes in 2 months)
Won – SA National Sprint Championship, Heat West End Anniversary Cup, Heat & Semi Gawler Produce Stake
Best Times: 29.76 (515m Angle Park), 30.81 (531m Gawler)

QUINTON BALE

Starts 32-1sts 18, 2nds 5, 3rds 2
Trainer : Shaun Matcott
Total Prizemoney $47,345
Greyhound of the Month – July & October – (scored votes in 5 months)
Won – Heat, Semi & Final Metro Holden Champion Puppy , Heat & Final City Dismantlers SA Sprint Championship, Consolation The Bunyip Gawler Gold Cup, Won at The Meadows (Vic)
Best Times: 29.53 (515m Angle Park), 30.77 (531m Gawler)

RISK IT

Starts 30-1sts 13, 2nds 6, 3rds 6
Trainer : Troy Murray
Total Prizemoney $33,500
Greyhound of the Month – Nil – (scored votes in 3 months)
Won – Heat Bold Trease Carnival Cup – Sandown (Finished third in the Final), Heat NSW National Distance Championship(Finished second in the Final and represented NSW in the National Distance Championship, though trained in SA), Ran in 4 Group Races
Best Times: 30.04 (515m Angle Park), 35.05 (600m Angle Park), 43.60 (731m Angle Park)

SCULL MURPHY

Starts 26-1sts 13, 2nds 4, 3rds 2
Trainer : Bob Isaacson
Total Prizemoney $40,000 approx.
Greyhound of the Month –June & December – (scored votes in 5 months)
Won – New Year Sprint, Heat West End Anniversary Cup, Heat SA Sprint Championship, Heat The Bunyip Gawler Gold Cup, Ran in 5 Group Races, Second The Advertiser Interstate Challenge, Second The Temlee – The Meadows
Best Times: 29.66 (515m Angle Park), 30.69 (531m Gawler)

The Greyhound of the Year Panel members are also voting on the Inductomag SA Bred GOTY and the SA Distance GOTY, to be announced at the Awards Dinner.

Once again GRSA are thankful to Des Peck from Inductomag who has sponsored the SA Bred GOTY. The winner of that award will receive an Inductomag magnetic therapy unit.