Bendigo Charity And Sheoak Ian Win Great Chase Final

Written By Kevin Pitstock, Editor & Australian Greyhound Racing Expert Contributor Wednesday 25th November 2009

Earlier today at The Meadows Scope Bendigo won $5000 and a percentage of the future race winnings of budding greyhound Sheoak Ian as part of the Group 2 Great Chase series.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Racing Rob Hulls said GRV’s Great Chase series was an innovative program that partnered Community groups catering for the physically and intellectually disabled with racing greyhounds across the state.

“This is a fantastic series that provides an opportunity for Community organisations to enjoy exciting greyhound race meetings while raising much-needed funds,” Mr Hulls said.

“Scope Bendigo today won $5000 and the equivalent of 10 per cent of Sheoak Ian’s prizemoney.”

Scope Bendigo’s regional manager Craig Andonovski said it was a great win and the money would help the organisation provide support for people with a disability.

”It’s a wonderful boost for the region and gives Scope Bendigo the ability to purchase some transporting slings and also help provide a shade sail for the summer,” Mr Andonovski said.

Runner-up greyhound Digger Daley won $2000 for Andrews House, Trafalgar, while third-placed Barnstormer secured $1000 for EW Tipping Foundation, Ballarat

They beat Merrily Mack, who was racing for Melba Lara Court in Mt Evelyn, Arvo’s Florence (Impact Support Services, Oakleigh), Make Some Noise (Riding for the Disabled, Warrnambool), Arvo’s Ellie (The Hub Support Options, Dandenong), and Our Toyman (Rett Syndrome Association of Australia, Geelong).

For the second year running Tabcorp was the major sponsor of the series, making donations to the groups with the winning dogs.

Mr Hulls said the Great Chase series, now in its seventh year, had brought joy to many people with a disability, with 304 greyhounds and nearly 150 Community organisations taking part in the 2009 series. “Since it began in 2003, the Great Chase has provided more than $125,000 to worthy Community organisations from right across Victoria,” he said.

“It provides the participating organisations with great social opportunities to attend the races and not only enjoy the fun atmosphere, but establish a real connection through the greyhound that is racing on their behalf.”

Mr Hulls today presented last year’s winning group, Riding for the Disabled – Warrnambool, with a cheque for $7498.50, earned on the back of the year’s race winnings of greyhound Pharoah King.

“It gives me great pleasure to hand over the winnings that Pharoah King accumulated on behalf of Riding for the Disabled, which provides great opportunities for children and adults with a disability to enjoy horse riding in a fun and safe environment,” he said.

For the record Sheoak Ian won todays final from his box 1 draw, leading almost all the way in 30.05 after a 5.10 first section. Trained by Maryborough’s Joe Borg and owned by Annette Lockwood, todays win took Sheoak Ian’s career to 9 wins from 21 starts with a further 5 placings, and career earnings of $52,875.

Sheoak Ian is a brindle dog by Surf Lorian ~ Sheaok Leeza whelped in July 2007, and had previously won here in town at The Meadows in 30.36. A group 1 finalist earlier this year in the 2009 Maturity at this same track Sheoak Ian looks a handy pickup for Scope Bendigo as his metropolitan and group racing career is really only just starting.

After the placed runners the field finished in the following order 4th Arvo‟s Florence ($16.50), 5th Merrily Mack ($6.10), 6th Our Toyman ($3.50) 7th Arvo‟s Ellie ($13.10) and Make Some Noise ($22.40).