2011 The Greyhound Recorder Paws Of Thunder Final To Azzopardi & Fancy Will

Saturday’s (October 1) Greyhound Recorder Paws of Thunder finished on an emotional high as Londonderry trainer Anthony Azzopardi dedicated Fancy Will’s $100,000 Group 1 win to close family friend Michael Pedrana who passed away recently.

Starting from the favoured red alley Fancy Will lived up to Azzopardi’ s expectations with the 30.03 victory over a fast finishing Oaks Road and early challenger Allen Hertz.

“I am just so proud of the dog,” Azzopardi said following the event.
Continue reading 2011 The Greyhound Recorder Paws Of Thunder Final To Azzopardi & Fancy Will

It’s Adelaide Cup time…..Again! Preview & Tips For SA’s Second Group One Of The Year

It may have a new timeslot, a new sponsor and a new format but the Adelaide Cup series remains as the show piece for Greyhound Racing in South Australia. If you are thinking “hasn’t the Adelaide Cup already been run?” you would be correct, as for the first time it is being held twice in the one year.

This time around, it reverts back to a two-weeks series, with the Interstate Challenge and seeded semi-finals being scrapped. Seven heats will be conducted Thursday night at Angle Park, with the finalnow worth$75,000. There will also be a consolation event worth $14,000.

While the locals are without star performers Dark Duo or Led Zeppelin, it still won’t be easy for the interstate raiders to take them out on home turf and the heats are shaping up as the most even and entertaining in years.
Continue reading It’s Adelaide Cup time…..Again! Preview & Tips For SA’s Second Group One Of The Year

Interstate Raiders Headline 2011 Triple M 40th Adelaide Cup Nominations

At closing time today, GRSA had received a total of 56 nominations for the 2011 Triple M 40th Adelaide Cup.

Predictably, the $75,000 to the winner race series has attracted a plethora of interstate greyhounds and their trainers, hoping to secure the prize.

Headlining the nominations is the Kelly Bravo trained greyhound Kilty Lad, who is attempting to become the only greyhound in living history to win 2 Adelaide Cups in the one year.
Continue reading Interstate Raiders Headline 2011 Triple M 40th Adelaide Cup Nominations

Owners Search For First Group 1 Joy In Paws Of Thunder Final

Australian Socceroo Tim Cahill and co owner Con Hansimikali will be hoping their investment in Fancy Dean pays big dividends this Saturday night (October 1), as the blue dog lines up in the 2011 Group 1 Greyhound Recorder Paws of Thunder 520 metre Final.

Saturday’s final, which is worth $100,000 to the winner, will be Fancy Dean’s first Group 1 Final appearance since debuting in January this year.

Fancy Dean has already recorded four placings in other Group events over the past nine months, including the; Group 2 Richmond Derby (3rd), Group 2 Maitland Cup (2nd), Group 2 Bulli Gold Cup (3rd) and Group 2 Black Top (2nd).
Continue reading Owners Search For First Group 1 Joy In Paws Of Thunder Final

Azzopardi Looks To Make It Third Time Lucky In Paws Of Thunder Final

Londonderry trainer Anthony Azzopardi will be looking to make his third successive Greyhound Recorder Paws of Thunder Final (520m) the one to remember, after Fancy Will drew box one for the Group 1 $100,000 event earlier tonight (September 24).

Azzopardi who had Excel Like Time and Smooth Fancy qualify for the Group 1 event in 2009 and 2010 respectively, was pleased to have come up with the red alley for next Saturday‟s (October 1) Final.

“He needs the inside to be any type of chance in this race, so I am happy to have come up with the red,” Azzopardi said following the box draw.
Continue reading Azzopardi Looks To Make It Third Time Lucky In Paws Of Thunder Final

S.A Derby Brings Yeehah For Yowyeh.

It was all celebrations for the connections of consistent sprinter, Yowyeh, who took out the Group 3 Coca-Cola S.A Derby on Thursday night at Angle Park.

With every heat winner breaking 30-seconds, it was always going to be an even affair; but the son of Premier Fantasy and Que Sera Sera went into the nights’ main event as one of the fancied chances, along with fellow Victorians, Black Hombre, Shivine and Allen Lawson.

Out of the boxes it was Yowyeh that showed the most dash with an impressive 4.44 first section. Black Hombre began hitting top speed down the back and actually took the front, while Explosive Drop had settled close on the heels of the leading duo.
Continue reading S.A Derby Brings Yeehah For Yowyeh.

Saturday 24th September 2011

Paws Of Thunder Semi Finals Set To Rumble Wentworth Park

Prince Diablo has shaken up early markets following Saturday’s (September 17) 29.56 heat win in the Greyhound Recorded Paws of Thunder (520m).

The John Finn trained greyhound set the sizzling time standard for the series, over two tenths quicker than next fastest heat winner Fancy Dean (29.82).

The son of Premier Fantasy x Best Of Diablo continued his red hot form leading all the way in the 6 ¼ length victory over Allen Hertz, just one week after becoming the first greyhound to break the 30 second barrier at Canberra (530m).
Continue reading Paws Of Thunder Semi Finals Set To Rumble Wentworth Park

Stars Come Out To Play In Group 1 2011 Paws Of Thunder Heats

Ten heats of the 2011 Group 1 Greyhound Recorder have been drawn for this Saturday night, (September 17) with Golden Easter Egg winner Radley Bale and NSW National Sprint winner Cold
Fusion among the 80 greyhounds set to line up over the 520 metre trip.

With $100,000 on the line in the final on October 1, the three week series is set to see some fantastic racing as the best 80 are whittled away to just 8 finalists.

Saturday’s first race will go at 7.27pm, with gates open at 5.30pm.
Continue reading Stars Come Out To Play In Group 1 2011 Paws Of Thunder Heats

2011 Golden Easter Egg Is About To Get Fancy

With the 2011 Golden Easter Egg fast approaching, the return of Group One star Smooth Fancy could provide one of Australia’s most successful and popular trainers Anthony Azzopardi with a present better than what the easter bunny could come up with.

In 2010, Smooth Fancy was the dog that captured the hearts of Greyhound Racing enthusiasts with an amazing come from behind victory in Adelaide last year to claim the 2010 National Sprint Championship over Shootout hero Cosmic Chief and now to the excitement of all his fans, Smooth Fancy is coming out of retirement in an attempt to capture Australia’s richest greyhound race the 2011 Golden Easter Egg final which will be held at Wentworth Park on April 23 carrying a winner’s purse of $250,000.

Having recorded the second fast run of all time in 29.48 at Wentworth Park during the Paws of Thunder series last year, there is no doubt he will be one of the early favourites when the box draw is completed at Greyhound Racing NSW headquarters on April 4.
Continue reading 2011 Golden Easter Egg Is About To Get Fancy

Lochinvar Marlow Looks To Finish With Another Bang

The timing of Lochinvar Marlow’s retirement could not have been more perfected by Robert Smith with the son of Bombastic Shiraz finishing in style with an impressive victory in the 2010 Group Three Christmas Gift at Wentworth Park, giving him some crucial last minute bonus points in his bid to secure the title of New South Wales Greyhound of the Year.

This victory along with his Group One Paws of Thunder triumph will still be fresh in the judge’s minds when the decision is announced on February 12th at the Hilton Hotel in Sydney.

High hopes were placed upon Lochinvar Marlow when he began his career by blitzing the field in the Group Three Laurie Healon Memorial Maiden at Betchoice Gardens back in 2009 clocking a near record 29.43 effort from the tricky box five.
Continue reading Lochinvar Marlow Looks To Finish With Another Bang

2010 End Of Year Review: Who Deserves Greyhound Of The Year In Your State?

Another lap of the greyhound calendar is almost complete, which means it is time for those lucky few to become Greyhound of the Year.

After a total of 112 Group races and countless other listed and classic events, there are definitely some standout performers who have surely earnt the right to named their respective state’s best racer.

What better place to start than with the overwhelming favourite for the Victorian (and most likely Australian) GOTY award – the magnificent El Grand Senor.
Continue reading 2010 End Of Year Review: Who Deserves Greyhound Of The Year In Your State?

El Grand Senor Faces A Challenge To Make It Nine In A Row: Ballarat Cup Tips And Preview

El Grand Senor adds a huge sense of occasion to tonight’s Ballarat Cup heats as he attempts to make it nine wins in a row and annex his fourth group race title from just five attempts. Interestingly, while El Grand Senor has been untroubled to collect his three Group 1 wins, his failure was at Group 2 level in the 2010 Traralgon Cup heats, where he could only manage fifth and missed a berth in the final.

Having now broken in to the top ten prizemoney earners of all time, the son of Where’s Pedro will be eying off the $30,000 first prizemoney a Ballarat Cup win on the way to challenging Rapid Journey’s career prizemoney record of $530,995.

The black dog, who has now won 23 of his 29 career starts; will start for just the third time from box 8 at his 30th start, having been blessed with 11 box 1 draws in his career to date. Notably though he has started just the once here at Ballarat for a 6 length win from box 5 in 25.10, leading all the way.
Continue reading El Grand Senor Faces A Challenge To Make It Nine In A Row: Ballarat Cup Tips And Preview

Big Guns Heading To The Gardens Greyhounds Tonight

A Group quality line-up is the highlight of race program tonight at The Gardens, when Paws Of Thunder winner, Lochinvar Marlow, Tweed Heads Galaxy champion, Big Bunga and multiple Group Two finalist, New Divide do battle in race five, the Schweppes FFA.

Lochinvar Marlow has had one start, where he finished second last Wednesday night, since suffering an injury in the Group One invitation only Topgun at The Meadows in Melbourne a month ago. The Robert Smith trained galloper before that defeated Australia’s best chasers in the Group One Paws Of Thunder at Wentworth Park.

New Divide has established himself as one of the state’s best sprinters making the Peter Mosman and Multicam Black Top finals, both at Group Two level. He is also a Gardens track specialist, winning seven races from 10 starts at the Hunter Valley’s premier circuit, including a sensational 29.49 for the 515 metres.
Continue reading Big Guns Heading To The Gardens Greyhounds Tonight

Smooth Fancy – One Door Closes And Another Opens

He has clocked one of the fastest runs of all time at Wentworth Park and his come from behind victory in Adelaide to claim the 2010 National Sprint Championship made him a star but now his impact will be made in the breeding barn when Smooth Fancy was retired this week due to a fractured stopper bone injury. The retirement has many of his supporters saddened however another door opens with an amazing opportunity to continue the legacy of the extraordinary chaser through his future progeny.

It all began in July of 2009 when Smooth Fancy and trainer Dennis Barnes stepped out at the immortal Grafton track in New South Wales for a maiden race over the 407 metres and disappointment would be the only word to describe the result with the black dog coming 5th beaten by over 8 lengths.

From then followed a start at Coonamble over the 530 metres for another 5th placing and it wasn’t until his third start over the 520 metres at Bathurst from box seven where he made his break through recording a time of 30.48 and familiarly making his way through the field to win by two lengths after a slow start.
Continue reading Smooth Fancy – One Door Closes And Another Opens

Group One Winner Returns Home To The Gardens

It’s not often you see a Group One winner going around at a mid-week meeting, but that’s the case this Wednesday night at The Gardens, with Lochinvar Marlow resuming following his fifth in the Sky Racing Topgun at The Meadows last month.

The recent Group One Rock Energy Paws Of Thunder victor, a winner of nine from 17 at The Gardens circuit, will tackle Wednesday night’s $1,700-to-the-winner open class event in preparation for an assault on the Group Three Christmas Gift and Gosford Gold Cup, which are both looming large.

A strong close to the year will further enhance the son of Bombastic Shiraz claims towards consideration for the Betfair 2010 NSW Greyhound of the Year Award, along with the likes of Blue Lorian, Elite Blue Size and the recently retired Smooth Fancy.

Whilst one would assume, given his credentials, that the Robert Smith prepared speedster has a mortgage on The Recorder Best 8, but his task has been made easier with only three competitors still in the race after scratchings have taken a toll on the field size.

Jeff Jaeger’s smart race bitch Marinas Limerick is still engaged to race, and from a suitable wide draw, will make her presence felt. A last start winner at Gosford in 30.29s, Marina’s Limerick has run 29.80s at The Gardens, and her runs before last week’s Gosford success had been full of merit.

While veteran chaser Chevy Assassin is resuming from a month on the sidelines. The son of Whisky Assassin has won nine of 19 starts at The Gardens, including his last two in 29.82s and 30.30s respectively.

The race promises to be a keenly sought after affair, despite the smallness of the field, on a great night’s racing, with most eyes sure to be on the anticipated return of Group One winner Lochinvar Marlow.

Two other runners that will attract plenty of attention on the night are litter brothers Sam I Am and Yella Mustard from the powerful Jason MacKay kennel. The pair are full relations to the outstanding bitch, Smart Betsy and are closely related to Hall of Famer, Paua To Burn and Group One winner and now top sire, Bit Chili.

Sam I Am has drawn the red box in race three, the Tooheys New Stake over 400 metres, while Yella Mustard will jump from box six in the following race, the NCA maiden over the 515 metres.

Another interesting race on the program is race nine, The Greyhound Recorder Maiden over the short course 400m.

Promising stud proposition Knocka Norris is the sire of four of the eight chasers set to line-up, a feat that demonstrates the influence he is starting to have on the breeding ranks, particularly in the Hunter region.

There are 10 quality races on Tuesday night’s card, covered by Sky Racing1, but the best way to catch all the excitement is by being at The Gardens. ‘Edens’ restaurant is open with great food at reasonable prices, right on top of the action. Bookings can be made on (02) 49515842.

You can bet live on tonight’s bumper meeting at The Gardens at Sportsbet or Iasbet with the first race of the program scheduled to kick off at 7.02pm AEDT

Surf Lorian’s Wave of Breeding Success Continues In Australian Breeding Rankings

With the release of the Australian Greyhound Breeding Rankings for October it appears no one can stop the Surf Lorian wave with his clear dominance at the top of the table once again for his successful production of multiple group winners over the past month.

Runner up for the month was Bombastic Shiraz while Big Daddy Cool just edged out Collision for third spot by four points.

Surf Lorian’s most recent group winner, Isadoll (x Isadora) produced an outstanding 29.93 dominant win in the Group One Schweppes Vic Peters Final at Wentworth Park on October 30th, giving Surf Lorian some last minute extra points.
Continue reading Surf Lorian’s Wave of Breeding Success Continues In Australian Breeding Rankings

Sandown Greyhound Racing Club’s 2010 Group 1 Melbourne Cup Preview And Tips

One of the finest nights of racing on the Australian greyhound calendar will be run at Sandown Park on Thursday night, with eight heats of the $250,000 Group 1 Solo Melbourne Cup (515m), and two heats of the $72,500 Group 1 Bold Trease Carnival Cup.
Continue reading Sandown Greyhound Racing Club’s 2010 Group 1 Melbourne Cup Preview And Tips

Newcastle Knights Sign Their Newest Dog’d Defender For Charity

The Coal & Allied Newcastle Knights and NSW NCA The Gardens are proud to announce they are joining forces for an exciting opportunity to raise money for charity through the deeds of a racing greyhound, named ‘Knights Defender’.

‘Knights Defender’ will be raced by Dally M Winger of the Year and NRL leading try scorer, Akuila Uate, with all prize money generated donated to Westpac Rescue Helicopter Services and the Hunter Surf Life Saving Association.

‘Knights Defender’ will step out for his first start at a bumper race meeting at The Gardens this Friday afternoon, November 12. The Gardens Complex is located on Sandgate Road Birmingham Gardens, with the first race scheduled for 3.47pm, while ‘Knights Defender’ will debut in race four which is set to go at 4.47pm, with the flashy chaser jumping from box seven.
Continue reading Newcastle Knights Sign Their Newest Dog’d Defender For Charity

Outstanding Youngsters Hit The Gardens For The Mega Maiden Heats

Some of the best bred greyhounds in the country will converge on The Gardens today for the heats of the Greyhound Recorder Mega Maiden with the aim of making it into next week’s rich final worth $15,000 to the winner.

Sons of 2006 Australian Greyhound of the Year, Betty’s Angel and her Group One winning litter sister, Leprechaun Pace headline an outstanding crop of youngsters that are set to clash in the prestigious maiden series.

The Greyhound Recorder Mega Maiden Heat 1, Race 1 3.55 pm AEDT
The kick off the heats we have a very interesting affair. Cousin Callum has trialled in slick time for top trainers Ray and Sharron Webster and is from the outstanding Thai Magic. Bitten is a half sister to record breakers Bartrim bale and Princess Bale as well atop galloper Whitfield Bale, while Splendourous is from the strong Loraine Atchison breed.
Continue reading Outstanding Youngsters Hit The Gardens For The Mega Maiden Heats

2010 Topgun Hopefuls On Target

Connections of the two Hunter Valley contenders of the Sky Racing Topgun, Lochinvar Marlow and Snozz, are happy leading into the Group One after overcoming setbacks in the lead up to Saturday’s invitation only event worth $100,000 to the winner at The Meadows in Melbourne.

Paws Of Thunder winner, Lochinvar Marlow trialled in probably the worst conditions possible at The Meadows last week when Melbourne was in the grip of cyclonic weather. On top of the slow track, the last start Group One winner bombed the start, running a pedestrian 5.27 to the first mark. He recovered down back, running 18.17 for the second split, before finishing off with a closing section 12.22, giving him an overall time of 30.39.

Kevin Gordon, father of Lochinvar Marlow’s owner Clare Gordon, handled Lochinvar Marlow in his only hit-out in preparation for the $100,000 to the winner event and was delighted under the circumstances and the way he came through his first assignment in Melbourne.
Continue reading 2010 Topgun Hopefuls On Target

Australia’s Best To Clash In Group 1 Sky Racing TOPGUN

The best greyhound field assembled in years will do battle in the Group 1 Sky Racing TOPGUN at The Meadows on October 23, worth $100,000 to the winner.

The star-studded field has won a combined total of over $1.1 million in prizemoney, highlighting the quality of the eight chasers engaged in the 525-metre extravaganza, which will take place in a just over a week’s time.

The race will also reignite the rivalry between New South Wales star Smooth Fancy (box three) and Victorian powerhouse Cosmic Chief (box two) two greyhounds separated by just a head in the Group 1 National Sprint Championship back in August from the very same boxes.
Continue reading Australia’s Best To Clash In Group 1 Sky Racing TOPGUN

Ferguson Wheely Wrapped To Be In Big Mandurah Final

One year ago, Wheely Smart’s career looked in doubt after suffering heavy interference in a dangerous incident at Maitland at only his second career start. The incident caused the explosive youngster, who clocked an impressive 25.31 in his performance trial at Maitland over the 450 metres; to develop an uncharacteristic shyness amongst other dogs.

The newly developed habit was a cause of great concern for 2008 New South Wales trainer of the year Majella Ferguson, “I was concerned that he wouldn’t get his confidence back, he was involved in two bad incidents back to back, that worried me, we had to work hard, each win he was slowly getting confident again”.

The last thing Ferguson would have expected was for her young gun to smash the Mandurah track record over the new distance of 490 metres recording an amazing 27.18 and put him in pole position for this week’s Group 3 The Schweppes Final ,worth $22,500 to the winner with a favourable outside draw of box 7.
Continue reading Ferguson Wheely Wrapped To Be In Big Mandurah Final

Topgun 2010 Sees Good Representation Of Hunter Valley Greyhounds

Hunter Valley chasers Lochinvar Marlow and Snozz were Saturday night selected to compete in the invitation only Group One Topgun at The Meadows in Melbourne on October 23.

The Topgun, worth $100,000 to the winner, is considered the Cox Plate of Greyhound Racing and is run on the same night as Australian thoroughbred’s greatest weight for age event, not far from the famed Moonee Valley circuit.

Lochinvar Marlow, owned by the NCA’s Clare Gordon and trained at Barnsley by Robert Smith, was all but assured of a start in the Topgun after taking out the Group One Paws Of Thunder at Wentworth Park last week.
Continue reading Topgun 2010 Sees Good Representation Of Hunter Valley Greyhounds

Lochinvar Marlow Sets Rock Energy Drinks Paws of Thunder Final Alight

A midst the rain on Saturday night at Wentworth Park there was a flash of brilliance for all to witness as Lochinvar Marlow claimed winning honours in the Group 1 Rock Energy Drink Paws of Thunder, bagging $100,000 for his efforts.

Prepared by Robert Smith, the Bombastic Shiraz x Sensation Lee black dog, made the most of the red box, stepping well, to open up a strong lead at the first turn and shoot away to win in 29.90.

The Group 1 NCA event has been supported by the GBOTA since taking over racing at Wentworth Park, the result however ensured there was plenty for the NCA to celebrate.
Continue reading Lochinvar Marlow Sets Rock Energy Drinks Paws of Thunder Final Alight

Rock Energy Paws Of Thunder Final Saturday 2nd October 2010

Saturday 2nd October 2010

Smooth Fancy Favourite For 2010 Rock Energy Drinks Paws Of Thunder Final

Following Saturday night’s semi finals at Wentworth Park the box draw for next Saturday night’s final was completed on track. The details of the official draw are published below.

The time standard for the semis was set by this year’s National Sprint Champion Smooth Fancy which ran a sizzling 29.48 just four hundredths of a second shy of Queen Lauryn’s track record of 29.44 for the 520m set on May 3, 2008. Next best was Cosmic Chief’s 29.66.

A cheque for $100,000 together with a presentation rug and trophy awaits the winner of this Group 1 event. All place getters receive a GBOTA Commemorative Medallion as a memento of the occasion.
Continue reading Smooth Fancy Favourite For 2010 Rock Energy Drinks Paws Of Thunder Final

Faster Than A Speeding Bullet

The Schweppes Silver Bullet, worth $5,000 to the winner is the feature event of Today’s a meeting The Gardens over the flying 400 metres, which is race five the first leg of the NSW and Victorian quaddie.

The Silver Bullet was a signature race of the now defunct Beaumont Park circuit and was won by such chasers as Ken Cheetham’s NSW Greyhound of the Year How’s The Fort and the champion Lochinvar trainer has a great chance to win it again in 2010 with promising galloper, Macey.

Macey is a littermate of top flight sprinter, New Divide, who will be the favourite for his respective Semi-final of the Group One Rock Energy Drinks Paws Of Thunder at Wentworth Park on Saturday night. Macey has an imposing record herself, only missing a place once in her twenty start career and winning on nine occasions.
Continue reading Faster Than A Speeding Bullet

Mackay’s Young Guns Hit The Gardens Tonight

The highlight of tonight’s meeting at The Gardens is the appearance of Jason MacKay’s quality youngster’s Kinga Cam and Glen Abbey Man in heats of the Jeffkins Novice series over 515 metres.

Kinga Cam, jumping from box six in race two, the second heat of the Jeffkins Novice series, ran second last week in the final of the $20,000 Dapto Maiden, behind his litter brother Kinga Zac (who is in at Maitland on Thursday). Kinga Cam previously won both his heat and Semi-final of the series, including a low flying 29.82 performance around the 520 metre South Coast circuit.

A third member of the Martin and Fiona Hallinan owned and bred litter, by Bit Chili out of Or Catra, Glen Abbey Man will make his local debut in race seven, the third heat of the Jeffkins Novice series.
Continue reading Mackay’s Young Guns Hit The Gardens Tonight

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