Greyhound Betting Tips For Thursday 23rd May 2013

Albion Park Greyhounds, Race 9 Box 3 Ben’s House, 9.28pm

This guy was last weeks selection. I have no doubt at all he should of won last week had he not have been knocked over. Tonight’s race is a harder task but he is racing far to well. Plain and simple this bloke just wins. I’m supremely confident.

Angle Park Greyhounds, Race 4 Box 5 Dyna Daina, 8.14pm

This is no easy race, with 5 or so genuine winning chances. Our selection Dyna Daina is really racing with enormous gusto. The acid test was last week when she tackled a 5 dog field of supreme talent. Although she didn’t win, she still managed to run 35.18 and finish 3rd. In tonight’s race she can once again ping the lids and lead the field. She loves racing over this trip and gets her chance to ping and lead all the way. No mistake can be made, she must be lead clearly and race around in front.

Dapto Greyhounds, Race 8 Box 1 Proven Daisy, 9.56pm

This girl has to be backed with plenty of caution. No one likes to loose money and this girl is a money muncher. One day she flys, the next she tails the field. But she does have a big motor and can get home in this race here tonight. She doesn’t handle the inside box all that well. But she can ping and hold her position. If she manages to hold then off rounding the first turn, she should get the chocolates. I suggest 4-1 or better.

Hobart Greyhounds, Race 3 Box 3 Nooee’s Lad 8.22pm

Forget the last couple of failures by this fellow. Last start he unusually missed the start as was never a chance there after I can’t see him missing it again here, and he should easily ping and lead this field here. He’s got the wood on most of these here and can easily lead all the way. He has the quickest PB and has explosive speed from box rise. He should lead and win this. $3.00 the right price.

Sandown Greyhounds, Race 3 Box 8 Arizona Pearl, 7.22pm

This girl has been knocking on the door for a whole now. She looks a great chance against a ordinary field. She had plenty of toe and as long as she can stay clear of trouble, she’s going to be in this for a long way. Bookkeeper looks the hardest to beat, having drawn very well. She’s been all around the mark of late, and a win would not surprise here tonight.

Best of Luck.

$$ Another Day Another Dollar $$

South Australia’s Leading Trainer To Face Stewards Inquiry Over Behaviour

Following complaints lodged to Greyhound Racing SA (GRSA), Stewards are opening an inquiry into Mr. Shaun Matcott’s alleged behaviour towards Kennel attendants at Angle Park meetings. It is alleged that he used improper, insulting or offensive language towards these officials.

Therefore as a registered person he is required to be present at this inquiry which will take place at the offices of Greyhound Racing South Australia, 55 Cardigan Street, Angle Park on Monday 3rd June 2013 at 6.00pm along with any witnesses that he believes may assist this inquiry.

As a result of this inquiry charges may be laid pursuant to GRSA Rules of Greyhound Racing.

He was further advised that if he does not attend this inquiry it may be held in his absence and charges may be laid pursuant to GRSA Rules of Greyhound Racing.

Cuneo Cleans Up At Kempsey Carnival

Last weekend’s Akubra Cup Carnival concluded brilliantly for the Kempsey Macleay Greyhound Club with the long 300 kilometre trip southbound certainly paying off for Yorklea( about forty minutes away from Lismore) mentor Mal Cuneo who picked up four winners on the twelve race card.

The first of Cuneo’s quaddie came in race seven, the Frank Brady Memorial Final which was taken out by the promising Yorklea Anthony who paid $2.00 for the win on course. The blue son of Collision was only having his sixth start last Saturday but was able to score his second win when claiming the $2000 winner’s cheque. Using box eight well, the 28 kilogram lightweight was able to hold off kennelmate Pod’s Princess on the line by three quarters of a length in a handy 20.51 seconds.

Cuneo’s other three winners came in races ten, eleven and twelve respectively with Raging Bull dominating the eighth event by a widening five lengths on the line. The fourth grade event over the 350 metre scamper distance offered $600 for first prize with the son of Head Bound never looking in danger from box eight. The win in the short course event was the black dogs seventh from 45 track appearances but he is certainly bred to run being out of the good producer Natalia who has thrown some nice pups throughout her career as a broodbitch.

Race ten saw another pink rug runner triumph for the loyal Rabbitohs supporter as Rare Bred crossed the line in the prime position by one and one quarter lengths over Lucks Me. The three year old son of Kiowa Sweet Trey and Token Whiz carried good form into the race with a fourth behind Jackson Tyne the week prior in a heat of the Akubra Cup. The win on Saturday was his sixth race success whilst he also has the solid record of sixteen placings to his name after 48 appearances.

The last of Cuneo’s runners to win on Saturday was Black As Soot who scored in the last by the narrowest possible margin of a nose on the line. Paying an ominous $1.50 for the win the well-bred three and a half year old by Bit Chilli out of Candy Supreme was having her 15th start on Saturday afternoon with the victory on the weekend taking her total to four wins with another six minors. The 27 kilogram bitch has recorded some nippy times at Hunter Valley tracks during her short career including wins over the 400 metres at Maitland (22.50 seconds) and Unibet Gardens (23.01 seconds).

The main event of the day, the Akubra Cup final was taken out by the ultra-consistent Nintendo Bones who managed to overcome a poor draw in box five to land a narrow ½ head victory over Daisy Doaks. The Robert Brandolini trained greyhound went into the event as the fastest heat winner the week prior clocking a fast 29.80 seconds for the 508 metre distance over fellow finalist Glenreagh Rocket whilst he zipped around in 29.94 seconds for the final. The red fawn and white dog has been a good money spinner for connections winning nine of his fifty two racetrack appearances and in this time the son of Pure Octane has turned into a true country track specialist with wins at Taree, Grafton and Wauchope throughout his career. Nintendo Bones has also been racing in excellent form over his recent starts winning six of his last twelve appearances with another four placings also accumulated during that time. The win in the feature took his stakes earnings to just over the $10,000 mark with more victories sure to follow based on his classy performance. Daisy Doaks ran a fantastic race in second for Shane Watkin whilst Sienna Breeze was five and one quarter lengths behind her in third position. Race favourite Jackson Tyne was well beaten back in sixth position for Debbie Spurgin.

Congratulations to the Kempsey Macleay Club on another successful carnival. Not many people realise how much work goes into organizing and preparing for these special events and it is fantastic to see the small clubs who are the heart of the industry still going strong and attracting quality fields for their premier race meetings.

Educated Is A Better Word Than Responsible

I am certainly not a poker machine player but the other day, on leaving the club, the weight of 20 cent coins in my pocket was annoying me so I went over to the nearest bank of noisy machines and tried to get rid of the spare cash. This turned out to be a waste of time. Machine after machine wanted to take only one dollar coins, not my surplus stuff. No wonder some people get rid of their wages so quickly.

While there are undoubtedly some severe cases of problem gambling around, you wonder how many of them would find some other way of throwing away the rent money if the pokies were not available. And poker machines, not wagering, are by far the major cause of any problems.

You also wonder how much of the subject is dominated by institutions, academics and wowsers anxious to justify their agenda. For instance, the often quoted Productivity Report on Problem Gambling and an earlier report about Victorians by the Centre for Gambling Research both push debatable conclusions. The latter found that 77% of those polled agreed that gambling did more harm than good. That’s a pejorative question/answer and it’s a huge figure about a subject that occupies a great deal of space in our daily papers and which routinely interests large numbers of Australians.

It then said that 80% of those that didn’t gamble agreed while 75% of those who gambled also agreed. This strongly suggests that the questions may have been worded to encourage a particular answer. It leads to suspicions that all the publicity clouded the respondents’ judgements. People sometimes provide the answers they think the surveyor wants.

That PC report is also marred by terrible errors of fact and reasoning when it discusses wagering. They indicate the author failed completely to understand how racing functioned. It treated a collection of betting operators as an industry in its own right, forgetting that they would not exist were racing not there in the first place. It went to great lengths to “prove” that NT bookmakers were more efficient and that their model should govern how racing and wagering were conducted, even producing a complex formula with lots of Greek symbols to illustrate the point.

This so-called proof could have been set up just as easily by a year 8 student who noted that NT bookies had much lower costs than TABs – it’s not rocket science. Importantly, it ignored the facts that the respective operators supply a different sort of service and that TABs must pay for thousands of outlets around the country – much valued by many customers – while online bookies simply have to sit at a desk and answer the phone or process internet inquiries.

Both are useful services, NT bookies particularly so as they managed to install some life into a moribund betting market long dominated by monopolies – ie the same TABs – which had the blind support of racing establishments geared to preserving traditional arrangements at any cost.

Yet, despite some improvements, the subject of betting continues to be dominated by negative views – from politicians, academics, churchmen, wowsers and others – all screaming for bans and all grabbing media space disproportionately. What about some pro-active thinking?

For a start, it is a good bet that problem gamblers emerge from the ruck of mug gamblers. They almost certainly lack ability in arithmetic and could not be bothered to study the form and thereby graduate to the true punters’ ranks. Why not address that first?

For example, barely a word has been said about the decline in high school mathematics numbers. Formerly, some sort of maths was compulsory through to the final years, now you can delete it entirely and substitute woodwork or drama or whatever. Youngsters therefore go out in the world without a vital skill, especially not anything to do with statistics. How, then, can they assess the price of a runner? Do they know if they are getting ripped off or not?

The industry is equally at fault. It has made no attempts to educate newcomers about racing or betting. Unfortunately, the ranks of tipsters are full of betting suggestions which have no hope of producing a win – boxed Trifectas, for example. These are losers before the race is started (they assume each runner has an equal chance when the opposite is normally true).

Yet those boxed Trifectas are the base of popular Mystery bets which TABs like to thrust in front of casual visitors to the ticket counter. Not only do they have TAB shareholders laughing all the way to the bank but – due to their volume – they also effectively destroy the dividends ultimately paid to genuine punters.

And do those gamblers realise the TABs are whipping 20% to 25% out of the Trifecta pool before they work out the dividend, or more than double what the pokies take? In NSW at least, the law requires pokie deductions to be displayed prominently, while club brochures go to some trouble to warn pokie players about the tiny likelihood of winning a jackpot. No such requirements apply to TAB bets.

Worse, Tabcorp repeatedly displays false dividends for First Fours, and occasionally for other bet types. The amounts are frequently in excess of the total available in the pool, indicating that Tabcorp is using some sort of multiplier that is different to the standard $1 used for other bets. To say this is pulling the wool over their eyes is putting it mildly.

The fairly recent introduction of races, or even whole meetings, for slow dogs which are impossible to predict also makes a farce of the punting caper.

In short, the industry is treating its customers like mugs, so that’s what they are getting.

Racing and wagering is based on knowledge yet the industry expects newcomers to obtain that by osmosis. It will not happen. Hence it is relying now more on hope than skill, which is the very point that separates punting from mindless gambling – including problem gambling.

Sports betting is a bit different because it’s newer, it’s fast growing and the consumers know a lot more about it. Even so, the emotion is there, too. Like comments on problem gambling, it attracts a variety of views. However, a filter is still required. For example, one of the most outspoken is Peter Fitzsimons of the Sydney Morning Herald. He gained his moment of fame playing rugby union in a lilywhite amateur era, one long forgotten now. Today he earns a living talking about many sports which would be in some danger were they not strongly supported by betting commissions. It’s reasonable to agree with his noisy campaign against advertising to children or the excesses of the Tom Waterhouse case but what you have to remember is that Fitzsimons is opposed to all sports betting, not just the overdone bits. That’s a pointless argument because it will never happen, so it therefore reduces the impact of the valid parts of his case.

The proposed SA ban on any advertising at sports venues, including on TV, may be a good thing. Who wants the fun at the football confused with betting opportunities? The ban would have a huge effect on media policies everywhere, toning down the excesses and restoring the game to its prime position. It will still need fine tuning, though, as with the logos on players’ jerseys.

But it is a lesson that controls can be introduced in a sensible way, without resort to emotional outbursts, dubious surveys and pressure from a biased minority. As most people would know, many Australians like to have a bet. Just do it at the right time and in the right place. And make sure there is strong competition for your dollar.

Besides, for most people, having a few small bets is a lot cheaper than buying a ticket to a concert.

Albion Park Winter Chase Betting Preview & Tips

As the cold starts to set in here in QLD, the action is just getting warmed up at Albion Park. Tonight sees the running of the annual Winter Chase which is generally a great lead up to the Albion Park Gold Cup.

All the focus will be on the two up and comers. Starliner who has just come of his first Group win in the Big Dog Cup and the Young Gun Mrs Thursday.

Starliner failed last start at his debut over the 710 but was only just beaten and it took a very good seasoned stayer to bring him undone. His overall time was still fantastic. There’s no doubt at all he’s going to be greatly improved by last weeks run and a bold showing should again be on the cards tonight. He should spear straight to the front again, and I reckon he’s got enough in him this week, to hold on.

Heat 2 is certainly a very interesting affair with the highly talented but young gun Mrs Thursday. The seasoned Bizarre Barbie, Keperra Bandit and iron dog Master Brutus.

Mrs Thursday has been shaping as a potential staying superstar who has really put it together in her last two starts. Running fantastic times and running home in blinding fashion, but I suggest we all take notice and beware. Her half sister Piping Hot from the previous litter also started her career off similarly, but after a few starts over the 710m she slowly got further and further back in her races until she was just to far back to win. Her career was promising but short lived. There’s no doubt she can win this, but it’s going to take a super effort to knock off some seasoned campaigners.

Bizarre Barbie has a motor but really only produced it when in training with Victorian mentor Kel Greenough. At her best she can win this but she’s far from that.

Master Brutus has plenty of class and ability. He has posted fast time over this distance and at one stage was near unbeatable.
He’s not in that form now but he can’t be overlooked in this.

These runners are clearly the standouts in the heats and I doubt weather any other runners can upset the apple kart.

Heat 1 kicks of at Albion Park at 7.41pm and heat 2 the first leg of the Quaddie at 8.05pm.

Expect No Mercy From Scullys’ Rising Star

Hunter Valley trainer Raymond Scully has burst into the spotlight in recent times, with the aptly named; Expect No Mercy. Setting the Maitland circuit alight at his past two outings, the son of Cosmic Rumble and Grace Lightning has recorded some electrifying times including a 22.19 (0.08 outside the track record) personal best with a low-flying run home sectional of 6.51.

As with every feel-good story, Scully stumbled across the dog better known as ‘Ty’ whilst winning his maiden at Appin in a respectable 16.14 for owner/trainer Simon Gafa. As Scully explains, from the moment he saw the promising youngster, he wanted to secure his future at the sales reps’ Weston kennels.

‘I was really impressed with what I saw at Appin. I said to Simon, can I take him home? He thought about it and then agreed to let me take him. As you do with most dogs he had a few niggling injuries along the way and once I put some more weight on him, his racing so consistent now’

As expected, Scully is delighted with the time standard his charge is setting, with the prospect of a two turn debut just around the corner.

‘He never broke 23.30 in a trial but his improved out of sight with every run and it’s definitely showing now. I honestly thought he run around 22.5 the other week and when they put up 22.19 it was an unbelievable feeling!’ said an elated Scully.

Expect No Mercy will line up again this week at Maitland in the Lochinvar Pet Motel Final over the 400m. Coming up with what can be an awkward draw for some, Scully has full faith in his brilliant sprinter to make it three on the trot and notch up his 5th win from what will be just his 10th start.

‘He’s only drawn inside box four once in ten starts. Box seven won’t worry him at all, especially with the way his beginning it couldn’t be more pleasing. His got a beautiful personality; he just wants to lick you all the time it shows how happy he is and it shows on the track’ added Scully.

Scully’s other greyhound Feel The Chill, cracked his maiden victory at Unibet Gardens last Friday in a solid run of 22.97 over the 400m. Daughter Jessica was elated to have boxed her first winner for her dad, with the replay having been repeated many times already on the household television.

Scully and his family have two exciting up-and-comers in their kennels with two pups by Aston Galilee out of Larkhill Lee, whose dam Sensation Lee is responsible for ;2010 Group One Paws of Thunder winner and current boom sire Lochinvar Marlow, 2010 Group Two Wentworth Park Gold Cup winner Lochinvar Vogue and 2012 Group One Silver Chief hero Godsend. Both are progressing with glowing reports and may continue the dynasty that Expect No Mercy has established for this greatly respected family.

As with every great man, behind him is a great woman and Scully attributes much of his success to wife Jenny and their two doting children; Jessica and Jy, who is a popular kennel hand around the Hunter Valley area and is soon to follow in his dads’ footsteps by attaining his owner/trainer licence in the near future.

Silver Cassie, who ran third in the 1994 Golden Easter Egg final, is the greyhound that Scully regards as his best to date and rightly so, with a magnificent race record of 25 wins from just 50 starts that includes a spectacular 12 best of the night efforts.
The daughter of Curryhill Brute and Silver Slipper comes from an extremely gifted bloodline that produced 1993 Melbourne Cup hero Silver Chisel, who went on to be a huge success at stud during the 90’s, producing; Winged Runner (1999 Group One Nutrience Cup winner and 2000 Queensland Greyhound of the Year) and Bolt Of Silver (2000 Group Three Christmas Gift Final).

Silver Cassie was no slouch in adding an array of trophies from across New South Wales to the mantelpiece with superb victories in claiming the Richmond Oaks, Nowra Cup and Maitland Easter Cup, along with being a record holder at the old Newcastle track, famously known as Beaumont Park.

‘She was incredible. Her speed was amazing and she has been my best dog by far. She led in the Easter Egg and unfortunately got run down by the favourite but it was my biggest highlight in racing to be a placegetter in a race like that.’ Said a proud Scully, with his voice radiating the sentiment that this little greyhound brought himself and his family.

For Ray and his family, who have always been battlers of the Greyhound Racing game, working by day to keep their kennel in operation, it makes you wish that one day in the near future, a group race victory can be bestowed upon them.

Greyhound Racing needs its battlers and hobbyists, for the colour and blend of both young and old personalities who flourish, gives optimism to anyone that they can achieve their dream no matter where they come from and the obstacles they may encounter.

Grubb Family Enjoying High Earner – Stylish Moon Litter

When Stylish Abbey and Quick Advance were successful at the LGRC’s Tote Racing Centre meeting on Monday night, it increased the number of victories having been achieved so far by the High Earner – Stylish Moon litter whelped on 3rd February 2011, to a creditable 32.

Raced and prepared by members of Launceston’s highly respected Grubb family, the litter has produced the winners Quick Advance (5 wins), High Bella (1), Kiss Me Elvis (4), Pipstar (8), Roxy Rhythm (5), Sing The Song (5) and Stylish Abbey (4), with only High Lyn having failed to make the grade at this stage of proceedings.

Retired panel-beater Robert Grubb, his wife Beverley and their son Robin, are having the time of their lives sharing the preparation of the team and reaping the benefits.

Robert Grubb has been involved in Greyhound Racing for almost 60 years – long enough for him to forget the name of his first greyhound and first winner.

“I know I won my first race at White City, but cannot recall the name of the greyhound involved,” he explained this week.

However the veteran owner–trainer is quick to nominate the ill-fated Pedro Pronto, by Where’s Pedro from Stylish Dotty and a litter mate of Stylish Moon, as the best he has had the pleasure of racing.

“Pedro Pronto won twenty races and was showing a great deal of potential, before a broken hock curtailed a highly promising career,” he explained.

As far as members of the current litter are concerned, Robert considers them to be of equal ability, with the lightly raced Kiss Me Elvis probably possessed of the most speed.

“The majority of them are very quick beginners, but Kiss Me Elvis can be slow away before finishing off brilliantly,” he explained.

Stylish Moon is to be mated once again with High Earner, a move that Robert considers to be “unconventional.”

“It is probably not considered to be good practice, but we are so happy with this litter that we will go to High Earner a second time,” he explained.

Meanwhile another Tasmanian bred litter to be enjoying great success at the moment is the Bill and Anne Witherden bred Aston Galilee- Patsy Anne litter, whelped on 16th May 2011,which has to date notched up 35 victories.

Winners from the litter include Yappin’ Jack (9 wins), Hindsight (9), Battek Boss (5), Oscar Ralph (1), Orange Boy (1), Sentry Duty (3) and Teddy Tom Boy (7).

Members of the litter are being prepared by several leading Tasmanian trainers including Mangalore’s Mick Stringer and Bracknell veteran Maurie Strickland.

Stringer has been enjoying a remarkable run of success in recent weeks, having prepared a treble at the last two NWGRC meetings conducted at the Devonport Raceway.

Greyhound Racing Tips For Wednesday 22nd March 2013

We are starting to find form again, with yet again another great night. Denesur showed his class coming from midfield to score at Warragul at the healthy price of $5.90; and Far West Leader gave them a galloping lesson racing away at $2.0 at Lismore. The daughter of Magic Sprite has a very bright future ahead.

There’s never a shortage of greyhound meetings around the country on a Wednesday and we have done our best to sift through them to find a winner.

Albion Park Greyhounds, Race 5 Box 1 Galway Marion, 5.02pm

Interesting little race here with the daughter of local star, but short courser, Black Framed stepping up to the 600 for the first time. Galway Marion has looked like the step up too 600m will be no issue what so ever. She’s been getting home hard over the 500 and in the process drooling the clock in fair time. Today’s race looks the best chance for her to kick of her winking 600m campaign. Kirra Kawati, looks the danger, but after we selected her last start when she won, I was rally disappointed in the overall time. Culoz, can gallop but has seemed to have lost all confidence. From the red box Galway Marion should kick up and lead and prove very hard to gun down here today in this.

Angle Park Greyhounds, Race 4 Box 6 Aston, 2.19pm

Aston is really starting to figure out what all this racing caper is about. He’s record on this track is excellent with 7 starts for 4 wins and 2 placings and a best time of 30.14. He may need to go slightly quicker here today, but I’m pretty sure he’s capable of doing so. He needs to jump quickly here and lead something he can do with his best jump. He won’t come front behind whereas his main to dangers, Mad Monz and Kennington Oval will. He needs to jump and land straight in the bunny, and high ball out in front. From box 6 with his best jump, he can certainly do it. Eachway.

Ballarat Greyhounds, Race 5 Box 1 Striking Blaze, 8.18pm

We are going with a shorty here in the Darren McDonald trained Striking Blaze. It’s been a little while since this bloke has shown his best but at his best he’s electric. He’s fresh from a spell and lurid should see him fire out of the boxes. When on song he can run sensational times. This is certainly a field with class and e must do everything right herd to beat them. Flaming White appears the main danger and these two runners should finish 1 and 2 respectively. I suggest if backing him make sure you don’t take anything less then even money. Box 1 will suit and he should look to trail then early and finish far too good.

Dapto Greyhounds, Race 6 Box 7 No Rules League, 8.45pm

We are going to double up here in last weeks Dapto selection No Rules League. She’s proven her class and speed time and time again but failed to fire last start against a much much better field. Tonight’s race is far easier, and she should bounce straight out and on the bunny. She had posted quick time over the 600, and I see no reason why she can’t do the same here tonight against this opposition. She’s going to be favourite but no excuses will be offered up if she gets beat tonight. Class animal and should just win.

Best of Luck.

$$ Another Day Another Dollar $$

Magnificent Miata – The Greatest Of Our Time

As a child I vaguely remember watching Brett Lee – the then greatest sprinter of all time race and stun Australia with his sheer speed and freakish ability. At the time I never realised how special this dog was and how much of an impact he was having and would have on the industry as a whole.

Since that time as I got older and gained an appreciation and understanding of this spectacular sport it became clear that nobody expected another dog to gain the attention and accolades of enthusiasts nationwide such as the champion did. Luckily nobody told Miata this, with the brilliant little bitch capturing the hearts of Australia to become undeniably one of the best chasers to have ever graced the racetrack.

This week, the 29 kilogram golden girl with the heart of a lion will line up in the $125,000 RSN Sandown Cup- at what will be her final racetrack appearance. With a dazzling chapter of Australian Greyhound Racing now coming to a close it is only fitting to take a look back at the Magnificent Miata- the greatest of our time!

Miata started her life just like any other greyhound as one small pup in a litter of ten (5 dogs and 5 bitches) which were bred by her future trainer Paul Stuart. When it came time to sell the puppies, Stuart advertised Australia’s highest stakes earner for $7000, yet nobody wanted the red fawn bitch. This would turn out to be a blessing in disguise with the daughter of Bombastic Shiraz and Winsome Bluebird, taking Stuart and eventual owner Nicole Wheeler on the ride of their young lives within the greyhound industry.

Miata had her first racetrack appearance on the 25th May 2011 at Cannington, with leading Western Australian race caller and Miata’s #1 fan Peter O’Neil remembering the night well, “I called her first race start the following week(after her performance trial) and she clocked 30.18 which is a record for a Maiden at Cannington”, the slick speedster then went on the break the Cannington track record at just her third racetrack appearance when flying around the circuit in a scintillating 29.86 seconds.

Miata returned to Cannington over the next fortnight and stopped the clock in breathtaking times of 29.84 seconds and 29.81 seconds respectively. Miata’s first taste of defeat came in the 2011 Group Three Coffex Coffee Oaks final at Angle Park where she finished second to Mepunga Nicky. The sensational Western Australian then returned to her home state where she won three of her five starts before stepping up to the 642 metre distance at Cannington. At her first attempt over the middle distance Miata phenomenally broke the track record in a blistering 36.55 seconds and just three starts later smashed the Mandurah track record dominating the race by twelve and three quarter lengths in a mind boggling 36.40 seconds. Within the blink of an eye, Miata clean swept record times over the 500,600 and 700 at Cannington returning just a week after her exhibition at Mandurah to set a new benchmark of 41.30 seconds over the Cannington 715 metres.

It is a sad fact that many WA greyhounds do not get the recognition they deserve until they take on the Eastern states best; but this is exactly what the mighty Miata did throughout 2012 and she certainly made everyone sit up and take notice- with many comparing the pint sized powerhouse to Black Caviar- the fastest thoroughbred of her era. O’Neill has been the lucky person, who has been able to experience the journey first hand, watching Miata progress from a humble little bitch racing in 5th grades at Cannington to Australia’s sweetheart and the undeniable champion of her time, “It has been the best thing for WA racing and a humble honour for me to be able to enjoy the ride with her along the way through my calling her”, O Neill said.

“WA Greyhound Racing rarely received any media publicity before she came along and because of her track record times she started to receive recognition. People from all three codes in WA started to talk about Miata and fans started coming to the track to watch her race. She then started travelling to the East and getting recognition in the media over there as well. She was able to gain the adoration of the nation through her deeds on the track”.

In 2012 Miata claimed not only WA greyhound of the year but also the 2012 Australian Greyhound of the year- the first time a Western Australian greyhound has been awarded the prestigious honour. Throughout the year Miata raced 25 times and remarkably won on 21 of those occasions with two further placings and a gobsmacking prize money account of $515,393. After her first crack at the trip where she broke the 715 metre track record at Cannington in January, the darling of Greyhound Racing went on to put together ten straight wins over the 700 metre distance. During this ultra-impressive winning streak, Miata triumphed in the Group One Sky Racing Galaxy in Perth, the Group Two Zoom Top at The Meadows and the Group One Hotham Body Repairs Association Cup at Wentworth Park( where she also clocked a track record of a flying 41.81 seconds in her heat). Her victorious run in 2012 came to an end in last year’s Group One RSN Sandown Cup taken out by Irma Bale. Despite this upset victory the exhilarating legend claimed two further Group One’s with the National Distance Championship and the Bold Trease added to her glowing resume in 2012.

In 2013 Miata returned to the track to take out her second consecutive Group One Sky Racing Galaxy whilst she placed third in the Group One Zoom Top behind Destini Fireball at The Meadows which she entered as the defending champion. Miata’s last campaign was back in February when she took out a heat of the group one Superstayers at the Meadows in a nippy 42.81 seconds before injury forced her withdrawal from the series. With her final race now fast approaching, it has been a far from ideal campaign for the brilliant chaser with just one run back from a spell in last week’s heats. Beginning well from box two in her heat, Miata was shunted back into third position before making her move in the second circuit to score decisively albeit it narrowly over the fast finishing Steve Allen in 42.39 seconds. Whilst this was much slower Irma Bale’s 41.92 seconds BON take nothing away from the great bitch that raced full of heart and merit and will be much stronger for the gallop this week.

Drawing box three for the final, Miata faces a tough task with Tasmanian Bell Haven drawn in the cherry with multiple group one winning stayer Destini Fireball boxed to pounce on her outside in four. The early leader looks to be Graeme Bate’s front running bitch Irma Bale in box five whilst Proven Impala will also be looking to snare the prize from the seven.

Whilst she faces a mammoth task, Miata is definitely the standout runner and she will only need a little bit of luck to triumph in her racing curtain call. With 50 starts to her name for 42 wins and five placings and an enormous $698,008 in stakes money, there is no one who can say this stunning performer is not one of the best we will ever have the privilege of witnessing in Australia and indeed the world. Paul Stuart’s dedication and commitment to his pride and joy is nothing short of perfection. His love for Miata shines through and he has always looked after her best interests- something that has shown in the results throughout her career.

It will be a fairy-tale ending to see her last race a winning one and to see her prize money topple over the $800,000 mark. Win, lose or draw she will be definitely remembered as a once in a lifetime champion and will be celebrated for years to come as the divine athlete she truly is.

Queensland Remembers – The Mick Byrne Memorial Preview

The Mick Byrne Memorial headlines the feature racing this Thursday night at Queensland’s Albion Park. Named in his honour, the event is an annual feature on the Queensland Greyhound calendar with participants remembering the contribution of the greyhound tragic. A life member of the Brisbane Racing Club Mick sadly passed away in 2006. Restricted to 5th graders this years five heats have attracted a number of quality greyhounds both local and interstate.

MICK BYRNE MEMORIAL – HEAT ONE – 7.22pm
The ever consistent Mr Garcia for Sandra Hunt draws the cherry in the first heat and he looks to be ideally boxed to continue his good form. Mr Garcia (Bit Chilli – Mrs Trickett) has faced the starter on 24 occasions so far with the outstanding record of 7 wins and a further 11 placings including being a finalist in the recent Albion Park Young Guns. The white and black chaser is easily recognisable in his races and always puts himself in contention with his strong running style and chasing ability. He has great box speed and a good jump here will certainly makes things tough for his opposition.

Looking to spoil the Sandra Hunt show will be Pharmacopia for Margaret Quarrell. The October 2010 son of Premier Chief – Kathy’s Recall is from an outstanding litter who between them have made numerous feature finals already this year in Queensland. Pharmacopia himself is a recent Ipswich Auction finalist and Group 2 Derby finalist and after 15 starts has the enviable record of 5 wins and 4 placings. At Albion Park he has raced on 9 occasions for 4 wins including a fast 30.08 registered in March this year. If he can exit the 7 box and clear them early he will be a massive chance of winning this heat and qualifying for yet another feature final.

The other leading chance in heat one looks to be Gotcha Back for Burpengary trainer Gary Keep. The February 2011 black son of Mogambo – Gotcha Covered has been in great form since stepping up in distance to 520m racing. With recent wins at the track and distance in near BOD times, he will be a strong winning chance if he can improve his box manners and avoid early trouble as he exits box 2.

MICK BYRNE MEMORIAL – HEAT TWO – 8.25pm
Recent Queensland Futurity Finalist Pearl Za Zinger for John McCarthy looks to be the dog to beat in heat two after drawing the pink rug. Pearl Za Zinger (Surf Lorian – Kaycee Diva) has recently contested the Capalaba feature events, and while not disgracing herself the freshen up over the straight 366m track may work in her favour here as she steps back up to 520m racing. The November 2010 whelping has faced the starter on 40 occasions resulting in 6 wins and 18 placings and close to $25,000 in prizemoney.

The Brian Francis trained Arabian McAbdi (Soprano Drive – Elite Juno) will wear the white rug and looks to be the biggest danger to Pearl Za Zinger. With limited starts on the Albion Park circuit where she has registered just the one win from 3 attempts she has won in fast times at Ipswich. In her last 4 Ipswich starts she has recorded 3 wins, including 2 BOD’s in 30.92 and 30.55. If she can replicate her 30.55 Ipswich run here she will be very hard to beat.

Box two runner Poetic Mover for Ray Burman will be another strong winning chance after coming up with the striped box. The January 2011 son of Knocka Norris – Bomber Babe has outstanding recent form including contesting the heats of the Group 3 Big Dog Cup where he finished 4th behind Irma Bale. He has also recently won a Monday night heat and final. The regular racing seems to have switched him on nicely as he is in a real purple patch of form. With the great overall record of 39 starts for 7 wins and 9 placings he is a definite winning chance with clear running.

MICK BYRNE MEMORIAL – HEAT THREE – 8.44pm
Front running Honey Bouquet looks to be the greyhound to beat in heat three after coming up with the ideal cherry box. The beautifully bred June 2010 daughter of Bit Chilli – Honey Mist has really come of age recently and her front running style is well suited to the Albion Park circuit. A recent Big Dog Cup finalist where she produced the best runs of her career in the heat and final she looks well placed here for trainer John Conlon. With the consistent record over the track and distance of 12 starts for 6 wins and 4 placings, she will start a short favourite for the heat as she looks to qualify for another Albion Park feature final. The Dam won the inaugural Mick Byrne Memorial and it would be a great result if she could qualify and win the final, replicating Honey Mist’s 2007 win.

Looking to spoil the party of Honey Bouquet will be the interstate raider Winsome Blackie for Thirlmere trainer and popular mentor John Finn. The November 2010 black son of Bit Chill – Ruby Red Lips has a recent fast Bulli win to his credit and will look to improve on his overall record of 37 starts for 4 wins and 14 placings. The 33 kilogram chaser will look to have more luck then his first and only appearance at Albion Park where he fell in April this year over the 600m journey behind Starliner. He looks to be a strong chaser like most Finn charges and with clear running from box 3 will be one of the fancies to knock off the favourite.

Dayseas Jet for Gilberton mentor Claude Dacey looks a strong place chance in heat three also after drawing box 6. A noted short track performer, the August 2010 son of Cosmic Rumble – Classy Kate has outstanding form at Casino, the Ipswich 431m and Albion Park sprints where he has won a total of 17 races with numerous BOD performances. He struggles to get the 520 m as evidenced by his track and distance record of 5 starts for 1 second. With the overall record of 41 starts for 17 wins and 14 placings, if he can lead clearly and there be any mix up behind him he may hold onto a deserved 520m win. His recent form is excellent with 4 wins and 2 seconds from his last 6 starts. He will need luck behind him however, with the strong finishers of Honey Bouquet and Winsome Blackie engaged. Place chance.

MICK BYRNE MEMORIAL – HEAT FOUR – 9.28pm
Ben’s House for leading trainer Glenda Dart looks the greyhound to heat in heat four. The son of Runs House – Spirit Released has faced the starter on 24 occasions for the imposing record of 8 wins and 5 placings. He can be sloppy at times from the boxes but he does have a good first section on his day. At Albion Park he has a best time of 30.18 set earlier this month in a BON performance and if he can run up to that time he will take beating.

The consistent Ellie’s Choice for John Edwards looks to be another chance in heat four. The daughter of Buckingham Chuck – Ellie’s Diamond is no stranger to racing at Albion Park having had every one of her 46 starts on the track. Over the distance she has faced the starter on 31 occasions for 6 wins and 13 placings. Her recent from is below her best but if she can find some of her early zip she will give a lot of cheek from the tough box 5.

Peter Simpson returns to Albion Park with Glamour Row, a daughter of Go Wild Teddy – Rose Chalice. From an outstanding litter that includes Rush Of Power and Raging Obsession, Glamour Row will hope to add to the list of litter winners at Albion Park for the inform Simpson kennel. Drawn favourably in box 1, she has had just the two starts here for no luck on both occasions. She is relatively inexperienced with just 9 starts resulting in 3 wins and 3 placings including a last start BOD win at Casino on last Friday. She is better than her times and form shows and with luck will be a strong each way chance.

The offspring of Bit Chilli seem to have a strong chance in the heats and another Bit Chilli offspring in Rylee’s Reign looks a good chance to add to his impressive winners rate as a sire. The June 2010 son of Reneen Lass has a best time over the track and distance of 30.22 set in February this year and overall he has won 13 races from 36 starts with a further 10 placings. Prizemoney already tops $22,000 and with early luck the strong finisher will be charging home late. Dropping back from 600 plus racing, look out for the green rug if he is close at the home turn.

MICK BYRNE MEMORIAL – HEAT FIVE – 9.53pm
Woodview trainer Robert Cooke returns to town with his ultra consistent bitch Watta Jackpot in the 5th and final heat. Drawn the cherry red, the daughter of Vapour Whirl – Teddy’s Jackpot has the great record of 20 starts for 7 wins and 9 placings. At Albion Park the white and black chaser has had two placings from two starts, but with the better draw this time she looks set to atone those placings. Slow early, if she can find a length or two at box rise she will be on the bunny and hard to beat.

Diane Hannon always has a strong chance in feature racing at headquarters and in the Mick Byrne heats that looks to be continued with young black chaser Fashion Guru. A new coming to racing he has faced the bunny on 8 occasions, all over the creek 520m, where he has recorded two wins and 3 placings including a solid 30.23 maiden win in March this year. The July 2011 son of Made To Size – Elegant Enforcer will have to contend with box 7 but he looks a smart young dog and is in good hands with the astute Hannon.

The final contender in the final heat looks to be the aptly named Mr Contender for Derek Milham for Forest Hill. Wearing the striped rug, the 3 year old 35 kilogram black dog has amazed a good record over the track and distance where he has recorded 6 wins and 11 placings from 35 starts. He has a best time of 30.22 set way back in November 2011 but on his day he is a real fighter and at his best will challenge the younger brigade in this. A half brother to the earlier mentioned Runs House, Mr Contender is by Collide – Spirit Released and it will be a great effort if Spirit Released can get two finalists through to next Thursdays final.

The five winners and three second fastest seconds will qualify for the final next Thursday week. All greyhounds will hope to join the list of winners of this great event, that includes fellow winners Honey Mist (2007), Bogie Ace (2008) and Auriga Fox (2010).

Sandown Cup Betting Preview & Tips – Miata’s Swansong

As the curtain draws to a close on the Mighty Miata’s career, there’s no doubt who the crowd will be cheering for on Thursday night. The Fawn chaser has done what no dog I’ve seen do, and that’s bring hundreds and thousands to the tracks. The Mighty Bitch from W.A, has been an outstanding ambassador for Greyhound Racing emulating what the super mare Black Caviar has done in horse racing.

Although she struggled to get home in the heats Thursday night, she did what all champions do, and that’s find a way to win. In Thursday night’s final shes drawn box 3 and this will no doubt be a great asset to her. Paul Stuart has made the public aware she’s had a rushed preparation for this; but she’s no doubt going to strip much fitter on Thursday night than last week.

Of course there’s 7 other runners who will be chasing their heart out and doing the best to upset the fairytale ending.

2013 Sandown Cup Final Betting

Box 1- Bell Haven, 42.07 $189,475
Talented Apple Isle Chaser who has race and beaten the best since coming across from Tasmania. She’s well suited by box 1, and went terrific last week chasing home Proven Impala. Box 1 is a huge advantage and she will pose a huge threat with a good Jump.

Box 2- Maddison Dee, 42.69, $29,215
Believe it or not this girl has recently whelped a litter! Since coming back to Victoria and having a litter this girl has been a huge surprise packet. She’s been racing extremely well and winning in the city and here she is now engaged in a Group 1 final. It’s a terrific effort and with luck in running she can’t be ruled out.

Box 3- Miata, 41.17 $698,008
There’s not much left that can be said about the modern day champion. With a astonishing 41.17 track record, none of these can remotely get close to that. But she’s not in that form now and struggled to get home last week. Well boxed and a superstar; and she could destroy these with her best effort.

Box 4- Destini Fireball, 42.04 $369,325
Triple group 1 Winner Destini Fireball has the talent the speed and strength to win this, but is he going as well as he was? Maybe not, I think he’s about a notch or two of his best. But he too got the job done last week and will be in this for a long, long way.

Box 5- Irma Bale, 41.79 $426,366
How can we not be of praise for this well traveled bitch. Last week she placed in the Group 3 QLD Big Dog Cup, and here she is easily winning a heat of the Sandown Cup. Last year’s defending champion is going to take a power of beating. She should bounce straight to the front and reel off great sectionals. The question is – can she keep going?

Box 6- Steve Allen, 42.28 $37,790
I gave you guys the heads up on this fellow a few weeks ago and he’s certainly delivered. Winning a couple over the staying trip, and now making the Sandown Cup Final. He flew home from the rear last week and was really unwinding in the final 100m. It’s going to be extremely tough to give this bunch a start and a beating.

Box 7- Proven Impala, 42.06 $241,740
The speedy and consistent Proven Impala could be the knock out chance here in this. She’s going to have to clear the inside runners and lead clearly, but if she can do that and manages to open up a big break she may hold on. If you choose to back this girl, you’re betting she crosses the inside dogs early.

Box 8- Reckless Charm 42.19 $14,545
This little girl raced out of her skin last start. She’s drawn the opposite end of the boxes tonight, and is going to have her work cut out for her here in this. Although she posted a great time, behind Destini Fireball, I doubt wether she can threaten these here tonight. $100-1 but looks a handy type.

Reserves
Pumped Up Zarr
Gold Affair Two

Thursday night’s race will spell the end for Miata and bring to a close the fairytale story of a little fawn bitch who no one wanted. The story of one who rose to great heights and achieved the title of Australia’s highest ever stakes winning greyhound.

Many a great dog has come and gone, but legends live forever.
Some may say a legend is defined by what they achieve.
I say they’re all legends no matter what their achievements.

R.I.P Archie – My Great Mate.

Greyhound Racing Tips For Tuesday 21st May 2013

The tide is certainly changing with yet again another great winner. State Sensation did the job and paid fantastic at $12.90. He began brilliantly and led all the way. Quiz Bale the hot favourite was slow to begin and was never a chance. Terror Time also got the job done at $1.90.

Lismore Greyhounds, Race 8 Box 8 Far West Leader, 9.05pm

Fast bitch who looks set to easily score. Has run blinding performance trials and her litter mate, flew around at Albion Park. Fast dog, great box will win.

Gosford Greyhounds, Race 5 Box 1 Honey Chicken 8.18pm

Nice young dog, who flew around at Maitland a couple of starts ago. He’s unbeaten here and will relish the inside box. He begins quite quickly and should lead from go to woa.

Warragul Greyhounds, Race 5 Box 3 Denesur, 8.08pm

This bloke needs his fair share of luck in racing but he has a big motor. He takes a few strides to get going but he has top mid race pace. He really accelerates with high speed. From box 3 he should settle mid field and if the favourite Dyna Ishan makes a mistake this bloke will pounce. Each way bet.

Best Of Luck

$$ Another Day Another Dollar $$

Box Eight Bandits Obliterate Rivals At Bulli Greyhounds

Next Monday’s Ranvet Gold Cup is shaping up to be a tantalizing affair with four stunning heats run and won last night at Bulli in brilliant fashion.

The first heat was taken out by Julie Fletchers sensational performer Dinkum who recorded his 19th career victory when claiming the race. The black son of Bit Chilli and Meredith Grey began well from out wide in box eight and managed to work his way across to the rails, proving too strong in the end for Voltage Peak by three quarters of a length on the line in a slick 26.25 seconds. Dinkum went into the event paying the generous odds of $6.20 but had excellent form as a winner of his past two starts at Appin in quick times whilst he had also scored a nice victory in the Maitland Gold Cup consolation in April clocking a fast 25.14 seconds on the one turn track. As mentioned Voltage Peak ran on well from box three to qualify for the final for Mark Azzopardi whilst race favourite and defending champion Ritza Ryder finished well back in fifth position after a poor beginning from the cherry.

The second heat was also won from the pink with Tarks Royale taking advantage of a small field to round up his opposition in a nippy 26.41 seconds. The Kristy Sultana trained chaser was the class runner in the race with seven wins to his name after just 15 starts prior to his heat triumph. From those starts the son of Primo Uno had clocked some quick times including a scintillating 29.73 seconds at Wentworth Park and a best time of 26.28 seconds over the Bulli track and distance. Craig Treherne’s Majestic Lee also gains a start in next weeks $25,000 feature running second two and three quarter lengths off the winner. The son of Brett Lee is an above average campaigner winning ten of his 24 racetrack appearances in Victoria.

‘Mr Consistency’ Transcend Time continued the trend of the pink when taking out heat three in emphatic fashion recording 26.35 seconds for Mark Azzopardi. As mentioned in the preview of the heats, Transcend Time is an impeccably bred dog by Bombastic Shiraz and out of Reg Kay’s classy bitch Elite Oriental- a litter sister to front running champion Knocka Norris. The brindle dog Tips the scales at over 34 kilograms yet remarkably handles himself very well on the track now as a winner of fifteen from 26 starts.

Transcend Time deserves to crack through for a group win after racing at the elite level for much of his career including recent starts in the group two Maitland Gold Cup(7th behind Black Magic Opal) and more recently when finishing second in the Queensland Derby taken out by the exhilarating Hello Good Bye. Frank Hurst’s young gun sprinter Zulu Zircon held his own at his first attempt in group company at only his fifth start albeit four lengths off the winner on the line. The youngster does not turn two until August but has really captured the eye at his limited starts with a blistering 26.06 seconds win at Bulli at only his third career appearance.

The fourth and final heat was also taken out by a box eight bandit with dual group winning speed machine Jagger Swagger obliterating his opposition to score by four lengths in scorching 26.13 seconds. The win by his kennel star gave Mark Azzopardi three starters in next week’s final with Jagger Swagger the standout after qualifying in the fastest time heat of the night. Jagger Swagger has now won 18 of his 27 starts including success in the group one National Derby at Unibet Gardens and the group two Richmond Derby earlier this year. Also qualifying two finalists into next week’s final is Frank Hurst with Zulu Zeus- the equally talented litter brother of Zulu Zircon working his way through the pack gain his chance in the lucrative feature. Zulu Zeus is an airborne speedster with thrilling wins at Wentworth Park(29.83 seconds), Bulli (26.20 seconds) and Richmond (30.08 seconds) and although he is only young he is certainly a dog with a very bright future. He will face his acid test next week against the big names but is not without his chance of snaring the prize.

The box draw for the Group Three Ranvet Gold Cup is as follows:

2013 Bulli Gold Cup Final

1. Transcend Time Mark Azzopardi
2. Zulu Zeus Frank Hurst
3. Majestic Lee Craig Treherne
4. Tarks Royale Kristy Sultana
5. Dinkum Julie Fletcher
6. Jagger Swagger Mark Azzopardi
7. Zulu Zircon Frank Hurst
8. Voltage Peak Mark Azzopardi
1st Reserve Knocka’s Return Mark Wilcox
2nd Reserve Free Will Anthony Azzopardi

Winners Shared Everywhere At Virginia SA Coursing

With an even spread of winners across participants, a 14 race program got underway at Virginia.

Todd Kelly had a treble with Emerley Magik, Jack and Lolli and Fiery McBain, Peter Smith had a double with Shark Force and Ultimate Fossils and single winners went to Peter Hurley – Emerley Duo, Ben Rawlings with Dolmar (equal best 15.19), Eva Sheriff with Token Spinner, John Spoolder – Midget Man, Michael Ceravolo with Alert Country, Don Turner with Siggiewi Sun (equal best 15.19), John Mundy with Russian Red, Ray Fewings with Magic Hen and Michael Stewart with Blue Magic.

The track is looking really good and thanks must go to those volunteers who give of their time and expertise in keeping it this way.

Remember, as we no longer clash with Gawler, it has been resolved that we will start 30 minutes later viz. earbrands/vet checking at 8.30 – 9.00 am with racing commencing at 9.30am. Our next meeting is scheduled for Sunday 2 June – all grades catered for and 4-dog fields will continue for the time being.

SA COURSING RESULTS

RACE 1 : PETS TUCKER MIXED STAKE
Todd Kelly’s EMERLEY MAGIK defeated Todd Kelly and Vadim Roz’s UNCLE MONTGOMERY by 1.5 lengths in 15.33. Winner trained by Todd Kelly.
RACE 2 : GOTBA JUVENILE/MAIDEN STAKE
Tina Cattermole’s SHARK FORCE defeated Anthony Cooper’s TEPCO EXPRESS by 3.75 lengths in 15.68. Winner trained by Peter Smith.
RACE 3 : EMERLEY PARK JUVENILE/MAIDEN STAKE
Todd and Nicholas Kelly’s JACK AND LOLLI defeated Todd and Raye Kelly and Robert Price’s JENNA LEE by 2 lengths in 15.58. Winner trained by Todd Kelly.
RACE 4 : ADELAIDE PLAINS VET SURGERY MAIDEN STAKE
James Vescos’ MAGIC HEN defeated Gavin Harris’ ZELEMAR FLASH by 2.5 lengths in 15.43. Winner trained by Ray Fewings.
RACE 5 : GRSA MAIDEN STAKE
Bradley Ablett’s BLUE MAGIC defeated The Hurley’s RASCAL KIST by a head in 15.79. Winner trained by Michael Stewart.
RACE 6 : PETS TUCKER MAIDEN STAKE
The Ultimate Flyers syndicate’s ULTIMATE FOSSILS defeated Damien Mills’ RELLIM GOODSIE by a 1.5 lengths in 15.62. Winner trained by Peter Smith.
RACE 7 : ADELAIDE PLAINS VET SURGERY NOVICE STAKE
James Johnson’s ALERT COUNTRY defeated Tina Cattermole’s MADE THE SAME by 1 length in 15.48. Winner trained by Michael Ceravolo.
RACE 8 : GOTBA MAIDEN STAKE
Don Turner’s SIGGIEWI SUN defeated Vera Louca’s SMURF’S CINDY by 8 lengths in 15.15. Winner trained by Don Turner.
RACE 9 : EMERLEY PARK MAIDEN STAKE
Dean Sheriff’s TOKEN SPINNER defeated Sean Reynolds’ FROSTY CHOMPERS by 4.5 lengths in 15.32. Winner trained by Eva Sheriff.
RACE 10 : GRSA MAIDEN STAKE
Deborah Simon’s RUSSIAN RED defeated Todd Kelly, Raye Kelly and Robert Price’s FAIR CHANGE by 2.5 lengths in 15.40. Winner trained by John Mundy.
RACE 11 : PETS TUCKER MAIDEN STAKE
Peter and Judi Hurley’s EMERLEY DUO defeated Barry Donnellan & Charles Adcock’s GAV’S GIFT by .75 length in 15.54. Winner trained by Peter Hurley.
RACE 12 : ADELAIDE PLAINS VET SURGERGY NOVICE STAKE
The Harry Hombres syndicate’s MIDGET MAN defeated John Rees’ WILD MOLLEY by 2 lengths in 15.23. Winner trained by John Spoolder.
RACE 13 : GOTBA NOVICE STAKE
Todd Kelly, Raye Kelly & Robert Price’s FIERY MCBAIN defeated John Caulfield’s PHOENIX HOUSE by 2.5 lengths in 15.56 Winner trained by Todd Kely.
RACE 14 : EMERLEY PARK FREE FOR ALL
Craig Boston’s DOLMAR defeated Michael Louth’s KATO by 6 lengths in 15.15. Winner trained by Ben Rawlings.

Greyhound Tips For Monday 20th May 2013

Albion Park Greyhounds, Race 9 Box 3 Toein’ The line. 9.24pm

We are going with last weeks selection here in this Toein’ The Line. He wasn’t disgraced last week, and just failed to handle the box. Tonight he’s drawn box 8 and he looks a much better chance from closer in. His overall time was ok, and I expect him to take great benefit from last weeks run. It’s a ordinary field and he looks set to score here tonight.

Angle Park Greyhounds, Race 8 Box 1 Ritza Luke 8.56pm

Quick dog who loves the red and has drawn the right box here to win. It’s no easy race and there is a couple of winning chances. He’s not the quickest dog in the race, but does go well enough to win this. He can lead from box 1 and it’s probably his best chance of saluting here. His latest form is terrible, but im hoping the box makes the difference here. Each Way.

Bulli Greyhounds, Race 3 Box 1 Ritza Joe 7.50pm

Going with another Ritza here in Joe. He to has drawn an inside box and looks as of he’s going to be hard to beat. He’s had the 5 goes here, for 1 win and 5 thirds. He’s run fair time here, but his form at other tracks is fantastic. He’s the winner of 6 races from 13 starts. From box 1 he should be able to boot through and hold the early lead. He can run quick time, and looks the likely winner here tonight. Stuzzichino, appears the main danger and these two look a great pair to work around tonight.

Launceston Greyhounds, Race 3 Box 6 Terror Time, 8.18pm

This girl is going to be short, but she looks the clear cut winner. Her run last time is was great. I’ve said this before, but I’m a great fan of this girl. Tonight’s race is quite poor and she should have no trouble racing right away from these. The box won’t pose a problem, and she should head them off early here and won easily. Irinka Adam, is the main danger and he can pose as a threat of our selection finds trouble.

Shepparton Greyhounds, Race 8 Box 3 State Sensation, 9.28pm

This bloke looks a great chance here tonight with an ounce of luck. He should of win his last start at the Meadows, but it took him a while to wind right up. I’m hoping he jumps better here tonight. He can certainly run the time it will take to win the race, but he’s going to need a little luck. The talented Quiz Bale has drawn very well, and she should lead the field up early. If our selection is to win he needs to quickly get into second and chase after Quiz Bale. Unless he starts at $5.00 I suggest keeping ya money in your pocket.

Best Of Luck

$$ Another Day Another Dollar $$

Oldies But Goodies

David Beckham is retiring at 38 years of age. His former teammate at Manchester, Ryan Giggs, is even older and still going strong. Ricky Ponting retired at 38, but only from international cricket, and half the Aussie Test team is in their thirties. So are a huge number of NFL players in America – one famous quarterback, Brett Favre, played for the Green Bay Packers and others until 40. Petero Civoneceva played for Penrith and the Broncos until 36 (and this year in the local Brisbane comp) while Dustin Fletcher is still going strong for Essendon at a year older. All famous, respected people and favourites with the fans.

In dog equivalent, these guys are 5 to 6 years old.

By comparison, those dogs in the three Veterans races at Ballarat (mentioned here the other day) averaged only 4 years and 4 months of age. And they included a few females.

Checks suggest that some veterans (not all) may lose a little of their early speed yet still retain the ability to achieve good overall times. Apart from anything else, that’s probably a good reason to separate them from mad keen youngsters.

No doubt Victoria could do even more but it is a sad day that other states take little interest in these proven campaigners. They offer opportunities to create fresh attractions for customers and welcome outings for the dogs and their owners and trainers (giving the lie to those oddball critics who claim dogs are “forced” to race). Even feature events could be put on the calendar. It would be good PR.

For that matter, why is there no coursing in four popular greyhound states, especially the largest – NSW? At worst they would extend the knowledge of the breed in the public arena. At best, they would offer serious options to dogs better suited to this type of racing. There is also evidence that coursing experience can help many dogs regain their keenness for racing on the circuit.

All these things are win-win possibilities, which is more than you can say for punters trying to bet on dogs with one win in 20 or more starts, as we are asked to do today.

THE SANDOWN REPORT (CONTINUED)

And good luck to all those fans who took a silly $1.40 about Miata, returning after a 3-month injury layoff and just scraping home at Sandown last Thursday in moderate time. Perhaps they forgot to read the formguide. But will she improve next Thursday in the final, or will the second-up syndrome apply? The champ ran an honest race last week but had had enough at the post. Either way, odds-on, look on.

Incidentally, the GRV formguide failed to show Miata’s sectionals for her previous two runs at Cannington in February. If you are interested, they were 15.54 and 15.43. Lots of NSW sectionals were missing, too, although they were published earlier in GRNSW results.

Happily, Ronan Izmir showed the benefit of the run the previous week and scored in a smart 29.46. The lesser opposition helped, too. It may not have liked being hassled all the way last week.

Favourites did well, taking out six of the eleven races but the usual bolters amongst the placings resulted in four First Fours over the $1,000 mark. If they are handy into that first corner they are hard to run down, no matter their ability.

But what do you do with Xylia Allen? After a terrible start she did an amazing job to get through the field and run down top galloper Punch One Out – running away on the line, too. She will be a risk in the final but how can you leave her out?

STEWARDS DEBATE WORTHWHILE

Discussion of the need for a national stewards organisation may or may not lead anywhere but it does bring up comparisons with other fields of activity. Some legislated functions have been “nationalised”, some have not, many are mooted and Federal-state relations are often strained as a result.

However, the classic case is that of aviation, where decades ago the states ceded control to the commonwealth, mostly because of the need for operational consistency. Technicalities are controlled from Canberra with branches in every state and territory. That recognises that supervision of pilots and mechanics (trainers and jockeys?), of landing strips (racetracks), of aircraft performance (fitness of horses and dogs), of flight navigation (conduct of races) and of the task of aeronautical engineering (veterinarians) are all matters which demands highly skilled, independent oversight and a good deal of technical research and innovation. In both cases the job is getting more complex every year, requiring large lumps of backup staff and systems and the global exchange of information. All that is why flying is the safest way to travel.

None of that affects the state’s right to handle the economic regulation of local air routes, should it wish to do so, just as local allocation of race dates and prize money caters for special, regional needs. Even so, racing recognises a need for national co-ordination of start times and the like, albeit that is under the wing of Tabcorp and its SKY offshoot. Somebody has to do it, I suppose.

It is hard to think of any negatives in the nationalisation of stewards but there are certainly a lot of positives, notably in the value that customers would place on consistent and equitable treatment.

State authorities may huff and puff on this, wanting to hang on to their empires. Still, that may be another reason why it should happen. It bears serious consideration.

One Turn Specialists Primed To Fire At Bulli

The one turn specialists will get their crack at the elusive group prize next week with four heats of the Ranvet Gold Cup to be held at the Bulli Circuit tonight. The group three event carries a handy winner’s purse of $25,000 and is renowned for unveiling some of the sports emerging stars with the honour roll including greyhounds such as Ritza Ryder(2012), What Size(2011), Hooky Booky(2010) and Last Man Out(2009) just to name a few. This year the series oozes with class with 32 brilliant chasers lining up for their time to shine.

RANVET GOLD CUP HEAT ONE 8:32PM

Frank Hurst has a three pronged attack on this year’s feature with the first of his hopes lining up from box four in the first heat. Rashad is a top quality sprinter who has won 6 of his 11 starts with a further 3 seconds to his name. The son of Magic Sprite has one hell of a motor and whilst it takes him a few strides to hit top gear there is no denying his speed with flying times recorded at Gosford (29.70 seconds) and Richmond (30.44 seconds). Despite drawing awkwardly in box four he has a massive chance and will just need a bit of room to move in the early stages.

The dog who looks the leader is Dinkum who has drawn out wide in box eight to be able to swoop down the outside for Julie Fletcher. The 18 race winner has won his last two race starts at Appin and has been racing against some sensational dogs in recent starts including Punch One Out, Knocka’s Return and Bralyn County. The black speedster loves racing around the one turn and could easily snare this race.

Drawn in the checks is Victorian raider Engine Alley who will be looking for win 11 from 21 racetrack appearances. The white and black dog is trained by Desmond Anthony and has claimed his last four starts, three of which were in best of day times at Horsham (26.99 & 26.78 seconds) and Sale (29.33 seconds). The 34 kilogram heavyweight will need a clear run to the first turn as he is not overly quick early however there is not a terrible amount of speed in the race so he should be able to find a nice position.

Last year’s Gold Cup winner Ritza Ryder will line up in the first heat from the cherry. The son of Where’s Pedro, who turns four later this year is still racing consistently albeit without victory since January when scoring at Wentworth Park in a blistering 29.69 seconds. Ritza Ryder is a winner of 19 from 62 whilst he relishes an inside draw so is well suited in box one. Trainer Mark Gatt would have his chaser in top shape and would not be racing him in this unless he felt confident so he must be respected.

RANVET GOLD CUP HEAT TWO 8:53PM

Heat two has been hit early with scratching’s but is still shaping up to be a juicy affair with Kristy Sultana’s airborne chaser Tarks Royale lining up from the pink. The lightly raced two and a half year old will be lining up for his 16th racetrack appearance but with 7 wins under his belt he comes into the event with great claims. The Primo Uno dog also appears to handle a wide draw with three wins from three starts when wearing the black although he has never started from box eight. Although this is slightly concerning he should get room to move and be able to cross with Pablo Cruz scratched from box seven and no reserves to take his place.

Away from the eight many of the others seem to be fairly evenly spread. If you are looking for value Vinny Kreugur looks a definite standout. The son of Collision and Bogie Skye comes from the inform Mark Azzopardi Kennel and could not have been more impressive last week when running second at his track debut. After missing the start terribly from box six, the youngster showed terrific field sense to navigate his way through the field to miss out on victory narrowly when running 26.64 seconds. The blue dog does not turn two until next month and has only had four starts for a win and two placings however he does look a quality type. It is worth mentioning that his only unplaced run was in the final of the Group Three Magic Maiden at Wentworth Park whilst he claimed his semi-final impressively clocking 30.12 seconds.

Bombastic Shiraz sprinter Ferly Reign will be hoping to bounce back to his best when starting from box six after a six week break. The six race winner has an unblemished record at Bulli after two starts and a best time of 26.37 seconds over the track and distance. If he runs up to that performance he will be right in this event for Anthony Azzopardi.

Rails runner Head Rush was a last start winner at Wentworth Park in 30.09 seconds whilst he also won the start before that at Bull in a speedy 26.51 seconds. He has been beginning much better lately and if he can do that again tonight he is a major threat.

RANVET GOLD CUP HEAT THREE 9:11PM

The class runner in heat three is no doubt Mark Azzopardi’s brilliant campaigner Transcend Time who will line up from box eight. The industry blue blood is a son of Bombastic Shiraz out of Elite Oriental and has been a model of consistency throughout his 25 start career claiming fourteen wins with another six minor placings. The brindle speedster qualified for the Group Two Maitland Gold Cup taken out by Black Magic Opal whilst he was a runner up in the Queensland Derby taken out by Hello Good Bye. Since returning to NSW he has won both of his starts at Bulli (26.02 seconds) and Wentworth Park (29.85 seconds). Clearly the dog to beat.

Looking to bring him done will be another Frank Hurst runner in Zulu Zircon who will line up from the checks. The Where’s Pedro dog is one of the most exciting young pups in the area winning three of his four starts with all his starts at Bulli resulting in victories. He has a massive motor and personal best of 26.06 seconds over the distance however his last run at Wentworth Park was concerning; after a below average beginning he managed to work his way into a handy spot throughout the run however he was unable to go on with it and his inexperience cost him the race in the end. Regardless if he bounces in front they won’t catch him.

Jeanette Foley’s Lil Miss Sparkle is an absolute pocket rocket capable of anything on her day however she has been racing well below her best . She gets a chance to return to the winners list tonight as she absolutely loves the one turn circuits. She will be having her first start at the track tonight but runs well at Maitland and despite being a wide runner she can handle herself from an inside draw.

The other main hope is El Caballo for Doreen Drynan who has had four nice runs back from an injury during the Easter Egg carnival. Since returning El Caballo has won at Bulli clocking 26.43 seconds and has also run three handy placings behind Zulu Zircon, Triggsy and Jagger Swagger respectively.

RANVET GOLD CUP HEAT FOUR 9:32PM

The best has been saved for last with National Derby winner Jagger Swagger headlining a tantalizing fourth qualifier for Mark Azzopardi. The son of Premier Fantasy returned to Wentworth Park ten days ago after tasting defeat in the Queensland Derby stopping the clock in a slick 29.82 seconds. Jagger Swagger has had five starts at the track for three wins and two thirds with a personal best of 26.07 seconds at the venue. The sleek black machine has recorded a total of 17 wins from 26 starts and should not be affected by box eight where he has scored on four occasions.

Zulu Zircon’s equally talented litter brother Zulu Zeus will line up from box two in the last heat and will be a test for the group one champion that is boxed out wide. A winner of his last four in succession, Zulu Zeus has gone from strength to strength for Frank Hurst. In his four most recent wins the freakishly talented youngster has won by a combined total of a gobsmacking 39 lengths. Included in these triumphs is three wins at Richmond( 30.25 seconds, 30.44 seconds, 30.08 seconds), and a first up success at Wentworth Park (29.83 seconds). He is a great beginner and if he can handle the inside draw he will go close to winning.

Ultra consistent Central Coast campaigner Johnny Fire will be returning to Bulli after two strong wins at Maitland over the past two weeks. After a slow beginning on Thursday the Trevor Hagney trained powerhouse rounded up the classy field to claim the event by one and three quarter lengths over Armenra in a hot 25.18 seconds . The group three placegetter has now won 13 races from 24 starts whilst he has remarkably never missed a place recording four seconds and six thirds throughout his career. Whilst he won’t be the leader, if there is trouble up front he will certainly be the swooper.

Victoria Has The Upper Hand For WA Derby Final

High profile Victorian sprinters Crump and Boris Fields look the most likely to claim the Group 2 W.A Derby, courtesy of strong heat wins followed by favorable draws.

Boris Fields was arguably the most impressive of the six heat winners, after overcoming box seven in a Best of Night time of 30.30. Having his first look at the 530-metre Cannington trip, the Great Chase winner and Meadows track record holder made a bee-line for the rails early, and found his way to third around the first bend. NSW visitor, Unexplained was having a tussle with Hawk Alone at the front of the field, but all the while Jason Thompson’s sprinter was biding his time. Around the home bend Hawk Alone opened the door for Boris Fields, and he flew past the leading duo for a comfortable win.

Having drawn box one for the final, all pointers would suggest that he would only need an ounce of luck to take first place in the $60,000 final, while Hawk Alone has come up with box seven after making it through as one of two fastest runners-ups.

On the other side of the track come next Saturday night will be Crump, having been given the pink vest for Devon Meadows trainer, Troy Iwanyk. The Iwanyk name has been long associated with success in W.A racing, and a repeat performance by this son of Superman will go very close to getting the job done again, after a powerful finishing burst meant a six length heat win in 30.38.

Drawn in two as an unbackable favourite, Crump was only fair to begin and got a saloon passage to be second upon settling. With local speedster Slava Monelli going well out in front, some doubt remained as to whether the interstate challenger could run it down, but those thoughts were quickly eradicated as Crump ranged up on the home corner and put the race beyond doubt very quickly.

Jason Thompson qualified a second runner through when Powerhouse was too strong in 30.32. Crashing across to the rail from box five, the black sprinter took over the running heading off the back straight, and survived a late charge from Set Sail South, who had worked into the race after a tardy start and some early bother.

Considering Powerhouse never left the rail for the entire journey, box two seems like an ideal draw for the son of Path to Power, especially if Boris Fields steps poorly. Set Sail South will jump from box four next week, and has now made consecutive finals since making the move West, adding to the Mandurah Derby final the week prior.

The form lines coming out of that Mandurah Derby series appear strong after the first and second placegetters also won their way through.

Knight Fun for Lexia Isaac again ran them off their legs with a blistering beginning, and never looked like getting beaten in a time of 30.79. The Mandurah Derby winner will start from box three in an attempt to claim the double, and may well hold the key to the race if it happens to impede the running of the two highly fancied opponents drawn alongside.

Meanwhile, Celtic Coin atoned for its defeat to Knight Fun last start by leading from go to whoa in 30.58. Appreciating the change of surroundings and a nice inside alley, the member of the wonderful West on Lee litter was never challenged, and with any luck may outstage his brothers by claiming a Group event from box six next week.

Kiss Me Ketut rounds out the eight runners after it caused a huge boilover to win from box six at around $16.00 on the local tote. The David Burnett prepared visitor had come off recent wins around Warragul, Warrnambool and Ballarat, but quickly proved that the class jump was no barrier.

In what was a keenly contested affair, Kiss Me Ketut was given the room to overcome a moderate beginning to take the lead from the tiring Moodich at the half way point. From there the challengers came thick and fast, but none were able to catch the Victorian who stopped the clock at 30.60. Merlot Monelli for David Hobby was game in defeat however, going down by less than a length, but will have to settle for a reserve spot as a result.

On what was a high quality night of chasing, the beaten brigade from the above races included On Coin who had no luck from a wide draw in heat one, and Perth Cup winner Dyna Nalin who was crunched on the first turn when colliding with Mepunga Dee Jay in the race eventually won by Knight Fun.

2013 Group 2 W.A Derby Box Draw

1) Boris Fields – Jason Thompson
2) Powerhouse – Jason Thompson
3) Knight Fun – Lexia Isaac
4) Set Sail South – Linda Britton
5) Kiss Me Ketut – Dave Burnett
6) Celtic Coin – John Crossley
7) Hawk Alone – Mark Rodgers
8) Crump – Troy Iwanyk
Reserves
9) Merlot Monelli – David Hobby
10) Slava Monelli – David Hobby

140th Coursing Season Celebrations Kick Off At Melton

Celebration – that was the motto for ther first coursing meeting of the year held today at sunny downtown Melton. With the track and grounds looking a treat, after a lot of hard work by the volunteers at the Melton Greyhound Racing Club during the off season, all deserve a big pat on the back.

To celebrate the 140th coursing season in Vicrtoria, the 140th Birthday cake that got sampled during the lunch break that was supplied by the club, yum!

Nominations were excellent for this meeting having received 102 entries which is a great start to the season and having several newcomers to the coursing scene made everyone at the NCA excited to see how this year develops. Onwards and upwards from here people!

Now for some results:

The main event today was the 2013 Western Saws Cup which was taken out by Cheap Champ for the Vigor camp. Cheap Champ coursed brilliantly throughout the day and went on to defeat Jerry & Maureen Maye’s 2012 Waterloo Cup runner up Connemara Flame. Both bitches proved they were too good for the boys today!

Next up was the Dawn James Memorial All Aged event with the eventual winner being Mr. Chow for a very happy Jess Fothergill. Gallant in defeat was Won’t Be Beaten for Colin Whitford, both camps travelling from opposite ends of the state Jess from Numurkah and Colin making the trip from Yarram. I am sure the introduction of Travel & Starters fees will be appreciated by all trainers, in particular the ones travelling long distances as these two did.

Buddha (Daniel) Pell had a busy day with Lou Todd being successful over Kobuta for the Davis camp in the High Four Pet Supplies Derby Trial, these two puppies will be strutting their stuff I am sure during the season. Keep It Shut was too good for Don the Falcon in the mixed puppy event sponsored by our regular bookie Gary Thomas. Next up was the High Four Proplan Oaks trial with Uno Sprite being too sprite today for Bev Pell’s Emily Howard in the final. Congratulations to all of the puppies who competed today, your trainers should be proud as there were some very closely contested coursing throughout the day.

Gallic Thyme proved he had the edge today over Demonstrous in the first of our Maiden events, Good Old Bert got the chocolates from Tiger In Woods in a brilliant finish once again keeping the judge on his toes. The Mayo syndicate had something to cheer about when Connemara Sky got across the line in first place over Mad Mons. Justin Perkin’s Little De Bruin gained a start from the reserve pool and proved that she may be small but her little legs went like the clappers all day and got her past the post in front of Sapphire Flex in the final of the Melton City Council’s Maiden Bitch 2 event. Last but by no means was least the Mixed Maiden which was won by Benjamin’s Cutie for the Noy family of Gisborne, proving today that she was too good for Thanks Baz trained by T Monaghan of Darley.

On behalf of the NCA and the Melton GRC we would like to once again thank all of the trainers, sponsors and volunteers who keep our great sport alive and kicking!

In a fortnights time we make the trip up the Hume Highway to Benalla, which is always a great day at the Benalla Racecourse with the greyhounds having a slight change of scene chasing a drag lure as opposed to the trolley system. We hope to see you all there and also hope that all participants enjoy their travel and starters fees which should be in hit your bank accounts today.

Greyhound Betting Tips For Sunday 19th May 2013

The tide appears to be turning with a few good winners. We managed to find a $5.00 winner Friday night at Wentworth Park. Then
backed it up last night with Got The Life getting the cash at a healthy $9.10.

Today appears a hard day with tough meetings all around the country but we are gonna do our best to find something for you guys to have your hard earned on.

Albion Park Greyhounds, Race 9 Box 2 Stratus. 8.09pm

This girl really looks a great chance here tonight in these 395m scampers. Box 1 runner Lo Siento holds the key and he’s generally a great beginner but is not very strong and is generally a sitting duck for a strong runner from behind; and today that runner is Stratus. She’s quite strong and all though here overall record here is poor, this looks the perfect race for here to salute in. She should jump and camp right behind early leader Lo Siento, and simply finish far to good for him here today.

Sale Greyhounds, Race 7 Box 1 Zipping Man, 7.09pm

This bloke flew this lids last start at Cranbourne, and it took two flying machines to beat him. Those two runners aren’t engaged today in this and from box 1 he should easily find the top. The speedy Brent Bale is the danger but I doubt he can come from behind to beat our selection. If you go through Zipping Man’s form one would suggest if he leads any race he just wins, as he has been successful over the staying trip previously; but even in running third last start he did run a fast 30.50 and a repeat performance of that will see him salute here. He likes to rail, and looks a great bet from a great box.

Strathalbyn Greyhounds, Race 3 Box 1 Spiral Bound 5.56pm

This bloke looks home and hosed here in this race. Box 1 is perfect and he has a pretty good record here. He has a PB of 23.93 but I reckon he can go a length or two quicker. He’s not going to lead but should possie up 2nd or 3rd early. On his Angle Park form alone he should win this. Good dog great box and should win here tonight.

Nowra Greyhounds, Race 6 Box 3 Spring Blueboy, 6.54pm

Tough race here but were going with the fast Spring Blueboy. He has enough speed to lead here and if he does it should be all over. He’s a little moody and only performs at his best with a clear run. The inside two dogs aren’t great beginners and do take a few strides to get going. If he can clear them early and hold out the outside division, then he should easily run away with this. If he fails to jump and gets buried, I’d say your tickets confetti. He has to jump and find the front to win.

Best of Luck.

$$ Another Day Another Dollar $$

Greyhound Tips For Saturday 18th May 2013

Wentworth Park Greyhounds. Race 9 Box 5 Got The Life 10.17pm

We are going to go with the speedy Got The life here in this. He’s had a couple of goes here and raced fairly well but this looks his best chance to win one. He takes a few strides to get going and this will determine his winning chances. If he can box well and gain clear running, and strike the lead he’s going to be mighty hard to stop. He’s stopped the clock in good time at Bulli, and lets hope he can stop the clock in front again here tonight.

The Meadows Greyhounds Race 7 Box 2 Dyna Dieter 9.20pm

Dyna Dieter may be able to pinch this race here tonight. He’s got plenty of talent and will have no trouble at all running out the trip. He relishes racing over this distance and handles himself well here at the Meadows. He should jump and lead, the only other two chances are Pop’s Max and Dyna Oats, the question is can he hold off both these dogs. He should be able to hold off Pop’s Max in the run to the line but Dyna Oats may be the main one he has to hold off. Dyna Oats is strong and will keep coming. With a great jump, and if his main two dangers find a little bit of trouble, Dyna Dieter may pinch this.

Cannington Greyhounds, Race 7 Box 8 Veyron Bale, 9.12pm

I remember watching this dog a while back when he put in a mammoth effort to run second here at Cannington. I backed him with supreme confidence last week and he easily got the job done. He seems to fly around here and although box 8 is going to make things very tough, I reckon he’s a great chance at good odds. $5.00 will be about the right price. With good dogs boxed in great boxes our selection will have his work cut out from the 8, but he loves the track and is going to be mighty hard to stop with a clear run.

Best Of Luck

$$ Another Day Another Dollar $$

Clone Your Own Is No Kiwi Copycat

The victory by former New Zealand greyhound Clone Your Own in the Harrison-Dawson Final at Sandown on Thursday night marked the sixth occasion a Shaky Isles competitor has snared a major Australian race. It was also the biggest single purse ever snared by a Kiwi greyhound.

The $100,000 first prize money easily the outstrips the $25,000 Waiwera Marika picked up for taking out the 1998 New South Wales St Leger (now the Paws of Thunder).

Equally, Clone Your Own becomes only the third New Zealander to win a major sprint event, after the aforementioned Waiwera Marika and Kwik Metal, who snared the 1974 Melbourne Cup.

The other three races taken out by New Zealand greyhounds have been the 1984 Sandown Cup by Raurimu, Know Peace in the 2012 Chairman’s Cup at Wentworth Park (720 metres) and the slashing 11 and three-quarter-length victory of Thrilling Brat in the 2012 Super Stayers at the Meadows.

That win saw the connections of Thrilling Brat take home $75,000, which, of course, made it the biggest single purse ever won by a Kiwi greyhound until Clone Your Own’s success in the Harrison-Dawson.

Clone Your Own’s victory shows just how far Greyhound Racing has advanced in terms of quality in New Zealand in recent years.

His victory brings to mind the efforts of two former terrific sprinters who came to Australian shores back in the mid-1970s.

The two were Brother Bee and Call Me Hobbs. Both were fine racers in New Zealand and both came over to contest the NSW St Leger series as representatives of their country.

In those days, probably in the hope of boosting racing in New Zealand, the National Coursing Association (NCA) would permit one Kiwi entry into the St Leger series.

In most cases the New Zealander was so far out of his or her depth that he or she would rarely make any headlines, but the 1974 contender, Brother Bee, became a short-lived and somewhat tragic sensation.

A strong 30-kilo brindle and white dog, Brother Bee had his first start in Australia in mid-November over 486 metres at Gosford. Drawn perfectly in box one he jumped straight onto the bunny and cleared out to win by 10 lengths in 29.0, the best time of the night.

On 30 November he exited box eight over 457 metres at Harold Park and led from the first turn to win by an ever-widening eight lengths in 26.43, again the best time of the night.

Brother Bee then trialled a sensational 30.78 for the 530 metres at Wentworth Park in preparation for the St Leger. The track record was 30.64 at the time. Seeded straight into the St Leger semi-finals, Brother Bee overcame box four and led all the way to win by six lengths in 30.95, the fastest time of the night and the second-fastest St Leger semi-final time ever run.

Sadly, he badly injured a toe when winning the race and had to be scratched from the final. He was purchased for the-then huge sum of $25,000 by veteran trainer Stan Cleverley who tried everything to get Brother Bee back to the track, but the brilliant Kiwi never raced again.

Just two years later, Call Me Hobbs, a wide-running speedster from New Zealand made it into the St Leger final and ran a gallant second to Palaver. Trained by Gary Young, Call Me Hobbs went on to be very successful in the top ranks of Australian sprinters, even making the NSW State final of the National Sprint Championship.

Right now, Clone Your Own could easily be the rightful successor to the wonderful Brother Bee and be acclaimed as the best New Zealand sprinter to grace Australian shores.

The above article has been updated to include new information. My thanks to Michael Floyd, the racing and media manager at Sandown Park, for pointing out a couple of omissions from the Kiwi ‘success tree’ on Australian shores.

Greyhound Tips For Friday 17th May 2013

Last night was a great night of racing. The Mighty Miata just got there, but she looked out on her feet. She’s no doubt going to benefit from last nights run, but can she improve enough to take out the Sandown Cup – only time will tell.

The Kiwi raider Clone You Own was superb and collected the $100,000 winners cheque in the Harrison Dawson; and the freakish Xylia Allen was simply breathtaking running down dual track record holder Punch One Out. I know both dogs are extremely fast but to run down Punch One Out was simply amazing. It had to be seen to be believed – run of the year so far.

We managed only the one winner last night but with a little luck things could of went the other way. Bens House was a certainty beat. He was knocked down on all fours early, and lost all hope but chased on and was only beaten 5 lengths on the line – a remarkable effort. He will certainly win again next start.

Wentworth Park Greyhounds, Race 5 Box 2, One Inch Punch, 8.40pm

The former Jason McKay trained One Inch Punch is my selection here tonight. I’m not overly confident but he should be at each way odds. He has a motor and can go when switched on. In his last couple he’s looked very disinterested, but those runs where at Richmond and the Gardens. His Wentworth Park record is great with 7 starts for 2 wins and 3 seconds and a PB of 29.97. I think the key to this fellow may be a clear run and a look at the bunny. From box 2 he’s going to get a great sit early on behind the box 1 runner. He’s strong and is bigger enough to handle himself if the going gets tough around the first turn. This is no easy race and you can make a case for every runner but the change of Kennel and new scenery may do the trick here tonight. Each Way only.

Geelong Greyhounds, Race 9 Box 3 Stylish Lizbeth, 9.47pm

There’s a lot to like about this girl. She hails from a pretty handy litter, and is by the speed sire Elite State. If she had that little bit more early toe we would see her competing with the best in the city but she lacks a little early pace and needs room to move. Box 3 doesn’t suit but she has a fair class advantage on most of these. All she needs is clear room early and she should trounce them. She’s going to start favourite but, I suggest $2.50, anything less isn’t worth the bet.

Mandurah Greyhounds, Race 7 Box 8 Din’s Chappi 8.40pm WA time

We are going with this bloke here in a tough race. Any other box bar the 8 is nearly declare him but the box makes it very tough. He’s racing in fine form and out in a huge run over this journey last time out. I remember saying next start this bloke just wins. Well box 8 makes it very hard but he’s racing well and is a huge chance.

Best of luck.

$$ Another Day Another Dollar $$

Jackson Tyne Targets Akubra Kempsey Cup Final

The May carnival at the Kempsey Macleay Greyhound Club will come to a close this Saturday after a fantastic series held over the past four weeks.

On a bumper day of racing the main highlight is no doubt the 2013 Akubra Cup final to be held over the 508 metre distance with Kempsey trainer Debbie Spurgin looking to have a great chance of taking out the event with her charge Jackson Tyne.

The three year old campaigner is by Hunter Valley champ Cool Mat who claimed both the Richmond Derby and Gosford Gold Cup in 2006 for the late Wayne Cox and is out of Santee Larricki- a daughter of Pearl Larricki- one of the greats from the late 1990’s. Jackson Tyne has been a handy dog on the racetrack winning seven of his 45 appearances including slick times at Unibet Gardens (29.73 seconds) and Wentworth Park (30.01 seconds) whilst he has claimed three of his seventeen starts since joining Spurgin’s kennels late last year with a further four placings in that time.

Jackson Tyne burst into calculations for the feature last week when claiming his heat in a nippy 30.04 seconds at what was his first racetrack appearance. This week the black speedster will line up from box two which is where he wants to be according to Spurgin, “He is desperate for the inside; boxes one two or three”.

With a good draw in the final, Spurgin is hopeful of Jackson Tyne’s chance in the $3000 to the winner event, “We had a greyhound in 1986 that we won it with but this is our best chance of taking it out since then”.

“We have only had him for seventeen starts and are very happy with him…certain people said he wasn’t chasing so we have proved a few people wrong”.

The Spurgin’s have been involved in greyhounds for decades with Debbie’s husband Wayne training his first greyhound 45 years ago whilst Debbie has been in the industry for 35 years herself.

Debbie’s love for her dogs certainly shines through admitting that her Cup aspirant, “Loves his cuddles and kisses”, with the 33 kilogram chaser compared to some of the best dogs to have come from his mentor’s kennel, “He is up there with the best we have had. We try to have the best in the kennels and give them the best and now it’s showing in the results”.

The biggest threats in the race look to be Nintendo Bones, Bit Salsa and Excel Like life who were all triumphant in their respective heats. Fastest heat winner Nintendo Bones looks the favourite for trainer Robert Brandolini after his 29.80(BOD) heat success however he has drawn poorly in box five for the decider. Bit Salsa also broke 30 in her heat running 29.90 seconds and has drawn outside Jackson Tyne in the white whilst Excel Like Life has come up with the coveted rails alley after qualifying in 30.23 seconds.

A win in the feature on Saturday would also be special for Debbie and Wayne, with the husband and wife team working for Akubra in the past, “We both worked for Akubra Hats. I spent 22 years working for them and my hubby was with them when they moved to Kempsey”.
“The family that own it are wonderful people and it would be an absolute thrill to win it again”.

A testament to how special the Kempsey Cup is, the Spurgin’s still have the photograph of the late Steve Keir making the winning presentation when they took out the race 27 years ago. It would definitely be sentimental to have a photo of his son Steve Kier junior presenting the trophy to Debbie and Wayne if Jackson Tyne can take out the event on Saturday to hang beside his father’s in their lounge room.

Racing kicks off at 1:00pm this Saturday and in addition to the Akubra Cup there is a full list of supporting events on the twelve race card including the Carpet Court best 8 over 350metres ($1000), Frank Brady Memorial Final ($2000), Neil Griffen Appreciate Stakes ($700), and the Andrew Stoner Consolation ($500) just to name a few.

If you are in the area on Saturday and have the afternoon free, head over to the Kempsey- Macleay Greyhound Club for a stellar afternoon of racing and see the fastest sport on legs at its brilliant best.

Britton Makes Harrison-Dawson His Own As Xylia Allen Triumphs For Bate

It was the night that Greyhound Racing enthusiasts nationwide had been waiting for and despite dreary weather conditions Sandown shined with some dazzling performances that kept track-goers smiling and ensured that unlike their clothes, their spirits were not dampened.

It all started with the heats of the Sandown Cup which saw the return of Australia’s staying sweetheart Miata.

The red fawn dynamo was returning to the track for the first time since March and bounced back to her best qualifying for the final in 42.39 seconds over the fast finishing Steve Allen. Whilst this was not the fastest heat time, it took a lot of heart and courage for Australia’s highest stakes earner to return to the winners list first up after an extended break and against some of the country’s best stayers. Miata will be better for the run and will start next Thursday in the final which is expected to be her racing swansong.

Prior to Miata strutting her stuff on the track, staying marvel Destini Fireball stamped himself as one of the greats with a strong 42.21 seconds success over outsider Reckless Charm. The white and black son of Where’s Pedro and Grey’s Destiny is a multiple group one winner and is right in contention for yet another trophy to sit upon trainer Emilio Rinaldi’s mantelpiece when he lines up in the feature on Thursday night.

Heat three was won by the ultra-consistent Irma Bale, yet another headliner for Lara’s Graeme Bate. The pint sized performer Tips the scales at just over 25 kilograms but has the heart of a lion, leading all the way from box eight in a blistering 41.92 seconds in front of 50-1 chance Maddison Dee.

The fourth and final heat was taken out late in the night by Proven Impala for Joe Borg. The Velocette bitch is a winner of 25 races and over $230,000 in stakes money and certainly showed her class dominating the race to win over Tasmanian star Bell Haven in a sizzling 42.06 seconds.

Moving onto the group finals where Robert Britton took out the group-two Harrison Dawson with former New Zealand chaser Clone Your Own. Beginning only moderately from the cherry, the 33 kilogram dog weaved his way throughout the field to sit third on the first turn before pushing up on the outside of Warrnambool Classic winner Premier Event to take up the lead. The son of Droopy’s Marco was too strong on the line for Graeme Bate’s Irmy Bale who ran a gallant race to claim second with the winner taking out the event in a scintillating 29.48 seconds.

Grand old chaser Glen Gallon did not lose any supporters finishing third after another usual gutsy performance. Last night’s triumph was the first group win for Clone Your Own with his record now standing at 16 starts for nine wins and five placings whilst it appears the sky is now the limit for the two and a half year old sprinter. Another interesting note from this race is that all runners finished in race book order- a very rare feat especially in a group race final!

Bate’s luck was reversed in the second feature event on the night with the phenomenal Xylia Allen flashing home to claim the $100,000 Sapphire Crown. After a poor beginning you would have been forgiven for focusing your attention on race leader El Brooklyn who exploded from the boxes, with NSW speedster Punch One Out quickly finding a spot behind her and looking an ominous threat. In the meantime Xylia Allen was pushed wide on the first turn in a scrimmage which saw kennelmate Desalle Bale take a heavy tumble. In a run similar to her heat win last week the stunning black daughter of Turanza Bale knuckled down to the challenge and just when Mackay’s chaser looked the winner, Xylia Allen loomed up and zoomed past to claim the event by a length on the line in 29.51 seconds. The 30 kilogram pocket rocket is freakish in her ability to take a thrashing and still win and has now done so on twelve occasions whilst she also has nine placings to her name after just 28 starts.

With the sprinting highlights done and dusted the spotlight will shine on Sandown once again next Thursday for the stayers with a highly talented field assembling for The Sandown Cup at what will be a night of Greyhound Racing history when we say goodbye to the magnificent Miata.

Greyhound Tips For Thursday 16th May 2013

It’s an enormous night of racing ahead with Australia’s Best runners engaged at Sandown in Victoria. It’s a great night to be heading to the track with Eddie Macguire hosting a cash giveaway of up to $120,000.

The final of the Sapphire Crown for bitches, where Punch One Out will start the likely favourite. The Harrison Dawson, and the Queensland champ Glen Gallon is likely to start favourite in it and last but not least the Heats of the Group 1 Sandown cup over 720, where we see the return of Australia’s best, the Mighty Miata.

A wonderful night of chasing and no doubt the stands will be jam packed at Sandown with everyone looking to get a glimpse of the Might Miata. Just as Black Caviar did, Miata also brings people out of there lounge rooms and to the tracks to see the superstar race.

We have the usual 5 Tips again for you tonight, but were also going to have a go at finding the winner of the two Group Finals.

Albion Park Greyhounds, Race 3 Box 6, Ben’s House, 7.22pm

Only 4 weeks ago I remember standing in the catching pen at Lismore, freezing cold and soaking wet waiting to catch a dog who ultimately ran last, but to my surprise, favourite Bens House finished second last in the same race. And I remember thinking gee, hasn’t this bloke gone off the boil. Well how wrong I was a week later he ran second at Albion and then won 2 straight. One of which was a PB from a bad box. He’s now racing with determination and a belly full of gusto. His last two wins have been excellent. Both around the same time, but at one of his wins he came out 4 lengths slower then he did the previous run. Yet still run quicker then he did the week previous. He ran 30.20 running a quick 5.76 to the mark, then run a PB of 30.18, running 5.96 to the mark. This suggests to me he’s going to get around the 30.00 dead mark here tonight. If he jumps, the others won’t get a look in. Box 6 is no worry, and the way this blokes racing I doubt he can be beat. There’s no dangers and he’s flying and should just win again.

Angle Park Greyhounds, Race 7 Box 6 Aston Odin, 9.19pm

Troy Murray has this bloke back to his brilliant best. He run a PB last start and he’s gong to take all kinds of beating in this.
Ritza Ben holds the key in this for mine. If he flys out like he’s been doing, then Aston Odin will get a terrific run around the outside to sit right on Bens hammer. If this occurs he should be too strong and finish over the top of Ben here. Quite simply really! Not quite, Linguist is racing like a dog possed, and only a few months ago was stringing to win a race. But fast forward a few months and he’s absolutely airborne. He finds himself out the back again here tonight, but if they make just the slightest report up front. This bloke will give them wind burn turning for home. He’s a real danger and a huge threat to our selection. Aston Odin needs to ping and stay out of trouble, and highball along. One mistake and he’s gone. Aston Odin to win, huge watch on the flying Linguist.

Dapto Greyhounds, Race 3 Box 6 No Ruled League, 8.11pm

This is no easy race, but I really like the super classy chaser No Rules League. She’s a Dapto specialist and most of her massive career earnings of $113,000 have come here at Dapto. She has a super PB to her name and has only the one start for the one win here over 600 and everything points to her winning here again tonight. She’s a super quick beginner, but a mad railer and must find the fence early on. She should find the fence and if she does from the get go, Id be shocked to see something run her down. I love backing lid lingers, and this girl should be off and gone. Smooth Nitro and Princess Mea, are the dangers but they are going to have to do it from behind here tonight, if our selection jumps like she can.

Hobart Greyhounds, Race 7 Box 3 Terror Time, 9.22pm

I have no idea what keeps drawing me back to this girl Terror Time. Maybe I should just try and buy her and be done with it. I’m a fan of her and seem to be always backing her. Something a smart punter should not do But no one said I was a smart punter. She had great early toe and and win over all distances. This is no easy race and you can make a case for 4 or 5 of them. But I’m going with the little girl, and I’m only hoping she can ping and go. She can’t come from behind these, and her only chance is to lead and lead well. But she’s unite capable, and is going to be the value runner in this tough final tonight.

Sandown Greyhounds, Race 1 Box 1 Bronelly Lad 7.07pm

This bloke drops back in class here, and draws the coveted rails. 3 starts ago he posted a flying 29.44, and looked super impressive in doing so. He’s had to step up in his last couple and found it quite tough. But he’s back in his right grade here and from the red box, he’s going to take a power of beating. He can ping and hold his position around the first turn and that’s all he needs to do to be winning this race here tonight. It’s field full of good young dogs, and no mistakes can be made here tonight.

My selection for the Harrison Dawson is the QLD Champ Glen Gallon.

And my selection for the Sapphire is the freakish and talented Punch One Out, but she needs lots of luck early.

Our sponsors will all be offering fixed prices on tonight’s meetings and my suggestion is to back your charge with one of these sponsors – Sportsbet, Sportingbet, Iasbet or Luxbet.

Best of Luck.

$$ Another Day Another Dollar $$

Bate vs Mackay In Sapphire Crown Final

Australia’s premier bitches only feature will jump tonight at Sandown Park with eight of the nation’s most consistent and talented females vying for a taste of $100,000 in the group one Sapphire Crown. The race will commence at 9:55PM and offers a fantastic insight as who can lay claims to the being best bitch in the land with two of the industry’s biggest trainers going head to head with three runners each.

Jason Mackay came to Victoria on a mission; to snare the Sapphire crown. To achieve this feat he brought with him three of his best girls and they did not disappoint – with all three qualifying for a crack at the prize.

BOX ONE: Arguably the best of Mackay’s chances has drawn in the desirable rails alley, with NSW sensation Punch One Out looking to add to her very impressive resume. The brilliant black speedster qualified last week from box eight when defeating Victorian Desalle Bale by four and three quarter lengths in a scintillating 29.32 seconds (BON) and in doing so notched up her 17th career victory. Punch One Out comes into the event with excellent credentials including two track records at Wentworth Park (29.27 seconds) and Richmond (29.90 seconds) whilst she also holds an imposing record from the cherry with four wins and three placings from seven starts. She will be the favourite and is the one to beat but must begin a bit better than last week or she runs the risk of getting crowded.

BOX TWO: Beginning from the checks is the highly talented three year old Desalle Bale who as mentioned chased home Punch One Out in last week’s heats. The 28 kilogram chaser is trained by master mentor Graeme Bate who as mentioned also has three runners in the final. As an excellent beginner Desalle Bale is boxed to be the early leader however there will be plenty of speed mustering from behind looking to run her down. With this being said she is as tough as they come winning 23 from 53 starts including a personal best of 29.46 seconds over the track and distance.

BOX THREE: The second runner from Jason Mackay’s kennels will jump from box three with Tricky Jade wearing white. The January 2011 whelp by Bit Chilli out of Navigator Miss is a speedy customer and ran a handy race last week at what was her only her second run at Sandown when finishing second six and a half lengths off the airborne Xylia Allen. Whilst her talent is undeniable this is a dramatic rise in class against the nation’s best and she will be giving away plenty of experience to her competitors with just seven starts under her belt. Despite this she has all the makings of a genuine group class bitch with some scorching times on the board at Wentworth Park (29.56 seconds BON), Richmond (30.41 seconds BON) and Sandown (29.56 seconds) so she is capable of running into calculations but will have to be at her best.

BOX FOUR: Jason Thompson’s group winning bitch El Brooklyn lines up from the four in the final tonight- the same box where she started in her heats when claiming the race in emphatic fashion. Beginning like a rocket the white and blue bitch gave nothing else a chance leading from box rise clocking a fast 29.53 seconds over Sometimes Speedy. The daughter of El Galo has been an absolute marvel on the racetrack claiming 24 of her 42 race starts with stakes earnings in excess of a staggering $274,000. The only concern is that she has been a bit hit and miss of late; albeit against the top class of dogs. If she is at her best tonight with a clean getaway she is right in this event despite the awkward draw.

BOX FIVE: Up and coming bitch Evie’s Entity has drawn horribly in box five for Devon Meadows mentor Lyn Smith with the daughter of Mogambo and Girl Aloud definitely preferring to be boxed closer to the rails. The black chaser is from a highly promising litter and has the great record of 20 starts for ten wins and five placings including a triumph in her heat last week. Beginning moderately from box four, the 29 kilogram chaser managed to work her way into third position around the first turn before dashing past her competitors to score in a swift 29.48 seconds. Evie’s Entity has blossomed since joining Smith’s kennels just five starts ago winning her last four race appearances. Her biggest obstacle is that she can be a bit tardy at box rise however the runner on her direct outside is not overly fast early and she could get a nice run into the race on the outside of El Brooklyn. Certainly a value runner.

BOX SIX: Graeme Bate has had huge wraps on Xylia Allen for a long time and she proved why she is so special once again last week when taking out her heat in a slick 29.51 seconds. After an ordinary beginning, the daughter of Turanza Bale was knocked left right and centre in the run to the first turn and had every right to finish down the track. In a demonstration of chasing tenacity, Xylia Allen regained her momentum and was able to mow down her opposition to score by six and a half lengths on the line. Box six is a worry especially when you are not the best beginner however she only needs to be thereabouts in the early stages and she should be going close.

BOX SEVEN: Graeme Bates last finalist in the group one event is Orthia Bale who will jump wearing black. The black bitch is yet another pup out of Amity Bale, with three of her brothers lining up in the group two Harrison- Dawson earlier in the night. The daughter of Dyna Lachlan ran a great race when finishing second to Evie’s Entity in her heat last week however as a winner of 6 from 43 she may find this a bit too much particularly out wide from box seven.

BOX EIGHT: Rounding up the field is the sizzling speedster Sometimes Speedy who will be aiming for her 25th career win in the feature. With two starts at Sandown over the past fortnight she will be better for both runs and should avoid the early scrimmage boxed out wide in the pink. The Collision bitch is an all over flying machine with hot winning times at Wentworth Park (29.61 seconds) and Unibet Gardens (29.40 seconds) since joining Mackay’s kennel at the beginning of the year, however whilst she should avoid trouble out wide she will have to begin at her best in order to place herself ahead of the action and into the lead

FIRST RESERVE: Grand old marvel Hot Irish ran a great race to finish third behind Punch One Out last week. She is all heart and is always close to the money so despite the fact that age may be just starting to take its toll, she must be respected if she gains a start.

SECOND RESERVE: Jason Thompsons fantastic Got A Moment is second reserve after running third behind Evie’s Entity last week. The top liner should be kept in contention if she gains a start, especially if she happens to sneak into an inside box.

Sapphire Crown Tips

1 PUNCH ONE OUT
6 XYLIA ALLEN
5 EVIE’S ENTITY
2 DESALLE BALE

Lessons From Randwick

So far the Singleton-Waterhouse saga amounts to a rap over the knuckles to each and son Tom the bookmaker being told to be careful.

But will the most important question remain unanswered? Why did a horse compete when obviously not fit, even though it was declared fit by the trainer and two vets, one of whom was independent of the trainer? Remember that the stewards got involved initially because of the fracas between the owner and the trainer, not because of the horse’s performance. The alleged illness issue only followed on from that.

So the experts decided on fitness but who supervises the experts? The only answer to that is the stewards. That’s their job. Yet, although they have since noted the paperwork failures, the RNSW stewards have so far stopped short of delving further into that conundrum. The public, particularly those who lost money on the deal, will not be happy with that.

In contrast, it brings to mind a very public spat in Victoria when stewards pulled a horse out of the Melbourne Cup, on the advice of their own vet, despite meeting furious objections from the trainer, David Hayes. It all revolved around the interpretation of the state of the horse’s hoof. But where there was doubt, the stewards acted in the interests of the racing public – correctly so. This would suggest that, in Sydney, if the stewards were not previously aware of hassles with a well-backed horse, then they certainly should have been immediately after the race and acted appropriately.

On the other hand, consistency is hard to find. The same Victorian stewards got no applause for their slow and arguably lenient handling of the Damien Oliver case, which involved possibly the worst sin of all – a jockey not only betting but betting on a horse competing in the same race. Very confusing.

Greyhound stewards, from state to state, are prone to apply different penalties for similar drug offences. Nor have they really acknowledged the problem of minute traces of substances emerging from public feed sources, as has occurred at the gallops. Dogs racing with chronic injuries also appears to be a non-subject.

Acting as a steward is not a simple task. They have to be part policeman, part prosecutor, part judge, part track manager, part father figure, part animal expert, part weather forecaster, part veterinarian, part ombudsman and part public advocate. A big problem in doing that is that they have to report to and are instructed by state authorities, who may or may not have exactly the same interests. Stewards are not genuinely independent, although some may claim that is so. Witness, for example, the noisy public statements coming from the RNSW CEO on the Waterhouse case. Note also that stewards do not issue licences, although they may cancel them, thereby removing the right to work of the offender. That’s serious stuff.

In a perfect world, it might work like parliament and the judiciary, where one sets up laws and the other rules on them, and each is deliberately kept separate from the other. But then, who would hold stewards responsible for their actions? You can’t hire and fire judges willy nilly, so the law itself is their real master. That’s not so in racing.

For that matter, nobody short of parliament holds racing authorities responsible for what they do. Arguably, that supervision is very light indeed. There are laws about who has what power and what their limits are, but nothing specific about how well or how efficiently they go about their business. Ministers are much happier just handing out prizes at feature events. It’s all very subjective and not remotely like the hoops that public companies have to jump through in the course of their daily business.

And board members are liable to change with the colour of government, further ensuring a short term approach to business in an industry which desperately needs vision and planning, and which is simpatico with what is going on in the big world. Shareholders, or stakeholders as many like to term them, don’t get much of a look-in. Racing authorities’ reports to the public tend to be waffly and self-serving. Financial figures are hard to fathom for non-experts, while statements and media releases concentrate on good news items alone. Survival gets more prominent treatment than progress or a good return on assets.

However, the more puzzling matter is that rules vary from state to state, without apparent reason other than that that’s the way the individual bosses like to have them. As with the above stewards example, one lot can be tougher than another, and abuses are not uncommon (see article “It’s Time, Comrades”, May 9). Indeed, the current disputes and inquiries in Queensland are likely to go on for some months yet.

All of which make a case for two changes: first, we should have a national stewards organisation where justice is done, and seen to be done, consistently. Second, a racing commission for each code is needed to oversee everything, including the stewards, to better satisfy the public wish for consistency and transparency – a bit like the Federal Police and the High Court, if you like. Both can still be responsible to the Racing Ministers Council but on predetermined terms and conditions. Perform or suffer the consequences!

This would be a vast improvement on the relatively powerless national bodies we have today. Their brief extends to not much more than racing rules, yet each state still implements its own variations on those.

In company with that responsibility, stewards may need more and broader authority, greater training and tighter pre-qualifications – again, a bit like appointees to the High Court. So be it. Theirs is a critical job.

The underlying issues are twofold. Horses and dogs are not interested in state borders, which they cross more often than grey nomads, while today’s punters no longer need to be on the racecourse, or even in the same country. And racing’s organisational structures belong in the dim, dark ages when owners wore top hats, trainers and jockeys knew their place, and the public were allowed in on sufferance.

State jealousies would need to be put aside, of course, but such reform need not interfere with the local income streams which both governments and racing codes need so badly. In fact, they would be likely to improve by recapturing some of the market lost to poker machines palaces and casinos.

Greyhound Tips For Wednesday 15th May 2013

Albion Park Greyhounds, Race 5 Box 1 Kira Kawati 5.10pm

It’s been a while since Kira Kawati, has won a race and she’s only won the 2 races; but she looks very well placed to win here tonight over the 600. The trip will pose no problem and she looks perfectly suited to box 1. There only appears to be the one danger Sundance Tycoon. There’s not a great deal of early pace and our selection may be able to hold the early lead. If she does it should be all over. She’s quite strong, and can run good time when on song. She’s had the one go over 600, but from out wide she struggled to get into the race. From a better box, against a easier field, she looks mighty hard to beat.

Angle Park Greyhounds, Race 8 Box 5 Red Tin, 3.34pm

I’m going to go against the flying machine Nicholas Jack here in this. He’s recently been flying over in Tas, and won his way through to top grade and then lowered the colors of the states best chaser Rewind. He was near unbeatable in Tas, but has a shocking record here in S.A. But he’s improved ten fold since he last raced here. However I’m going with Red Tin, a out of form chaser who has won plenty of races here, and has a quick 30.06 PB. They appear the two main chances. Red Tin, will represent the value, and he’s a great winning chance here with a safe start.

Richmond Greyhounds, Race 7 Box 6 Magic Santana 5.41pm

Magic Santana looks the obvious winner here in this. He has posted a quick 30.78 here and also stopped the clock in a quick 26.39 at Bulli. So he has a big motor. Future Winner the ex Queenslander, may start favourite from the perfect box. But I wasn’t at all impressed with her win at Ipswich, and I’m not to sure she can run out the hard 535m trip here at Richmond. My Big Digger, may pose a threat if he can jump and get forward early. But Magic Santana looks the one here, and his early speed should offset the bad box. We see Another youngster by boom sire Magic Sprite here, and he should do the job here today.

Cannington Greyhounds, Race 4 Box 1, Chosen Jewel, 7.27pm W.A time

We are coming back here for another bight of the cherry with Chosen Jewel. She was our selection here last week, but failed to fire. She has drawn much much better here tonight. The Linda Britton trained daughter of Big Daddy Cool, can scoot along when on song. She has a PB of 31.06 but I have no doubt she can go much quicker, if she can many straight on the bunny. It’s a weak field and she won’t get a better chance than she had here tonight to win. Good dog, superstar trainer, and great box. A recipe for success.

Warrnambool Greyhounds, Race 5 Box 2 Famor Las Vegas, 8.08pm

It’s about time this fellow stepped back up to the winners circle. He was showing huge promise early on, and was flying. Since then he’s gone off the boil, and has been disappointing. But this looks the perfect race here for him. Gunda Bale, has early toe and should drag our selection into the race. He’s strong and can run very quick times when on song. The 450 will suit and he should finish to powerfully here for Gunda Bale. If he wins tonight, he may be one to keep following, when he returns to the city.

Best of Luck

$$ Another Day Another Dollar $$

Betfair Tasmanian Country Oaks Winner For Victoria

Following her outstanding victory in Tuesday’s Betfair Tasmanian Country Oaks (452 metres), smart bitch Fulande (Surf Lorian – Portent) will be transferred to Victoria.

The Peter Phillips prepared speedster accounted for one of the best fields of her sex seen at the Devonport Raceway in recent times, when she recorded 26.03 in defeating Roxy Rhythm and Sing The Song in the annual feature and appears to have a very bright future.

“Fulande will do her future racing in Victoria from the Bobby Douglas kennel,” June Phillips explained this week.

“We are hoping that she will succeed in the new environment and as a result enhance her value as a brood bitch.”

Fulande is the winner of 11 races and is a full-relation to the well performed chasers Frytson and Falsetto.

“Their dam Portent is a daughter of the very good matron World’s Finest, which produced the standouts Damek and Decembrist among others,” Mrs Phillips explained.

“Unfortunately World’s Finest died recently, which was a great loss as far as we were concerned.”

Both Damek (45 wins) and Decembrist (30 wins), sons of Big Daddy Cool, are standing stud duty at the Phillip’s Copping property.

Meanwhile the David Crosswell prepared Chicka Scott ( Surf Lorian – Moonlite Teddy), finished off in brilliant fashion to take out the Rapidvite Industries Tasmanian Country Derby (452 metres), also conducted at Tuesday’s NWGRC meeting.

As predicted, the Eileen Thomas prepared Cointreau Cap ( Premier Fantasy – Alotta Mojo) led them a merry dance from the outset, but Chicka Scott finished over the top to score in the time of 25.75.

Raced by Reg Kay, Chicka Scott has now been seen in the winners circle on five occasions and is proving to be a very handy chaser.

Veteran chaser Rewind (Collide – Ricky’s Angel) was up to his old tricks at the NWGRC meeting, winning his 56th race by taking out the Rapidvite Spray Invitation Stake (452 metres) in typical gutsy fashion.

The old fellow had to call on all of his reserves on intestinal fortitude to run down Seagull Boy in the lane, but eventually prevailed in the time of 25.59, exceptional given the weather conditions.

A huge on-course tip, Captain Thomas (Collision – Lightning Moss) led throughout to take out Tuesday’s Decembrist At Stud Stake (452 metres) in brilliant fashion.

Having only his fourth start in a race, he recorded a slick 25.98 in defeating Winklee Wind (Cool Effort – Pitstop Ash) and Jamella Miss (Premier Fantasy – Contador) and ran right up to a recent sizzling Hobart trial.

The chaser is an occupant of Allison Walker’s Bagdad kennel and appears to have a very bright future.

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