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

Group 1 Sky Racing 2011 Topgun Invitations Released

Trainers of 30 of the best greyhounds across Australia have been sent a first-round invitation to nominate their stars for this year’s Group 1 Sky Racing Topgun to be run at The Meadows on October 22, worth $125,000 to the winner.

In a clear sign of their quality, the first-round invitees (listed below) have won over $3.1 million on the racetrack, with further riches available in Australia’s greatest invitation-only spectacular in less than four weeks time.

The Meadows Manager Marg Long said the 2011 version of Group 1 Sky Racing Topgun promises to be a fantastic race.
Continue reading Group 1 Sky Racing 2011 Topgun Invitations Released

McCullagh Pair Go One-Two In Vic. Breeders Final

Litter brothers Fully Advanced and Just Tripping gave owner/trainer Ron McCullagh a winning quinella in the Vic. Breeders final over 525 metres at The Meadows on Saturday night.

In a sign of the evenness of the field, just two and a quarter lengths separated five of the finalists as they crossed the finish line, with the two sons of Collision and Okay Supreme coming up trumps after the speedy Zara Zulu (fifth) lead for the majority of the race.

Fully Advanced defeated Just Tripping by a quarter of a length in 30.38, with Prince Holyfield a further length and a quarter away in third.
Continue reading McCullagh Pair Go One-Two In Vic. Breeders Final

The Top Of The Prize Money Tree

With the 2011 Golden Easter Egg run and won and yet another $250,000 paid out to a single greyhound, I thought it might be worth going back in time to see just which races have been recognised as the richest in the nation down through the years.

The 2011 event had the added synergy of also featuring Australia’s highest prize money winner, High Earner, who made it through to the final, won in brilliant style by Radley Bale.

Of course, the honour of being the first greyhound to win such a staggering sum in a single race went to Cosmic Rumble, the winner of the 2010 Golden Easter Egg.
Continue reading The Top Of The Prize Money Tree

Pedrosa Named 2010 WA Greyhound Of The Year

The Paul Stuart-owned and trained Pedrosa was crowned the Schweppes WA Greyhound of the Year for 2010 at a gala function in Perth last night.

Pedrosa raced 26 times during 2010, recording 17 wins and 5 placings for a total of $136,170 in stakes. He qualified for six feature finals during 2010 and was successful in five of them – the Lew Dorsa Memorial, Group 2 WA Derby, Winter Cup, WA Sprint Championship and the Anniversary Cup, all over the Cannington 530m distance.

Pedrosa represented Western Australia in the National Sprint Championship at Angle Park in Adelaide where he led until the first turn before holding on for fourth.
Continue reading Pedrosa Named 2010 WA Greyhound Of The Year

Celebrating The Greats : Rapid Journey – A Remarkable Career

When owner-trainer Jane Carruthers was presented with the Topgun trophy (then a Group 2 event) in December 1998 after her mighty sprinter Rapid Journey had just narrowly annexed the race, the amiable mentor announced her champion’s immediate retirement to stud.

The 33-kilogram red brindle son of Amerigo Man and Miss Courtney had earned $70,000 for that Topgun win, an amount which took Rapid Journey’s prize money earnings to an incredible $530,995, an Australian and world record which would stand for just over a record 12 years until it was broken by the appropriately-named Queensland star High Earner in February 2011.

At the time of Rapid Journey’s retirement, many pundits were calling him the greatest male sprinter ever seen in Australia, and certainly one of the best of all time.
Continue reading Celebrating The Greats : Rapid Journey – A Remarkable Career

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?

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

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

Four Heats Of The Young Stars Classic Over In The West

The best young chasers in Western Australia will head to Cannington this Saturday night, for heats of the Group 3 Young Stars Classic over 530m.

Previous winners of this exciting feature have included TOPGUN hero Lindale Blue, Victorian Our Spence and the evergreen Zini’s Gump. Some may remember Eye Marunna, who won the event in 2007, defeating a great field which included the likes of Miss Slick and the all-conquering El Galo.

The 2010 version has great depth of talent, and should provide a launching pad for the next crop of top grade chasers. Beginning with heat one, where recent W.A Oaks winner Rock Pool looks the class runner of the field. Having won eleven from eighteen over the 530m layout, and a recent winner over the longer trip, Ben Abercrombie should have this bitch right in the mix, despite drawing the ‘squeeze’ box five.
Continue reading Four Heats Of The Young Stars Classic Over In The West

El Grand Senor Stars In Sensational Melbourne Cup Heat Win

Dual Group 1 winner El Grand Senor confirmed his status as the nation’s superior sprinter with a dazzling performance in his heat of the $250,000 Group 1 Solo Melbourne Cup at Sandown Park tonight.

Sent to the boxes a $1.70 favourite, El Grand Senor stopped the clock at 5.05 seconds to the first mark before breaking his own second split record.

Despite getting a little tired in the run to the line, the leviathan 39kg chaser went to record a comprehensive four length win in 29.43 – the fastest time of the night.
Continue reading El Grand Senor Stars In Sensational Melbourne Cup Heat Win

2010 Melbourne Cup Greyhound Betting And Pre Post Odds

Sportsbet have released their pre post betting for the 2010 Group 1 Melbourne Cup.

With eight high quality heats to be run at Sandown Park tonight, our own Michael Floyd has already given us his tips for the Melbourne Cup heats and now we can put them in play to try and snare a large payout on next weeks $175,000 to the winner final.

Not surprisingly recent Topgun winner El Grand Senor has been installed as $5 favourite ahead of Cosmic Chief at $5.50 and Smooth Fancy on the third line of betting at $7.50. Unsuccessful Shootout aspirants Push The Paint and Enry Walt are next in betting at $8 and $11 respectively.
Continue reading 2010 Melbourne Cup Greyhound Betting And Pre Post Odds

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

El Grand Senor’s Second Sectional Record Set up 2010 Topgun Win

The Carolyn Jones-owned and trained El Grand Senor ($5.20) demoralised his rivals in a dazzling display of speed to take out the Group 1 Sky Racing TOPGUN at The Meadows over 525 metres on Saturday night.

The son of Where’s Pedro and Elgrando Gold was not hindered by his box four draw, spearing to an early lead after a sensational 5.03 split with a lap to run. With rivals finding trouble on the first corner, El Grand Senor opened up a race-winning lead down the back, stopping the clock at an amazing 17.48 at the next split – shaving .04 off his own previous second sectional track record.

Enjoying a massive lead turning for home, the giant 39-kilogram chaser raced away with his second Group 1 win at The Meadows (he was victorious in the Hudson Pacific Maturity in July), stopping the clock at 29.83, ahead of the impressive Enry Walt (box seven), who ran on extremely well to grab second.
Continue reading El Grand Senor’s Second Sectional Record Set up 2010 Topgun Win

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

Topgun Saturday 23rd October 2010

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

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

Mr Metz Wins Dapto’s First Running of The Megastar

Queenslander Mr Metz ($5.50) led throughout to win the Megastar Final (530m) at Dapto on Thursday night.

The son of Bond-Iza Tora ran blistering sectionals of 5.27 and 16.84 to lead throughout to win the $25,000 to the winner invitation.

He is raced by Bill Crooks and trained by leading mentor Ron Ball.
Continue reading Mr Metz Wins Dapto’s First Running of The Megastar

Mr. Metz Dapto Megastar Final Win Shrouded In Controversy

A huge cloud hangs over last nights inaugural running of the Macro Meats Dapto Megastar final, after it was revealed that the winner, Mr. Metz was allowed to start in the final despite seemingly being ineligible.

The Ron Ball trained Mr. Metz returned to Dapto, the track where he started his impressive career by winning the 2009 Group 3 Dapto Maiden; and demolished the partially hand picked field in the $25,000 to the winner Dapto Megastar final, leading all the way from box to finishing post.

The win represents Mr. Metz’s third group race win, having won the 2009 Dapto Maiden and the 2009 Group 1 Brisbane Cup. He has also been placed in the 2010 Group 1 Adelaide Cup and was selected to start in the 2010 Group 1 Topgun before finishing last.
Continue reading Mr. Metz Dapto Megastar Final Win Shrouded In Controversy

Swansea Hotel Series Final At The Gardens Today

Today’s feature event at The Gardens is race six, the final of the rich Swansea Hotel Series worth $4,000 to the winner, for greyhounds the qualified in heats last Friday afternoon.

The pre-post favourite is Garbanzo, for top training partnership Jill and Warren Harper, winner of four of his eight starts around The Gardens 515 metre journey and will jump from the coveted rails ally.

Garbanzo hails from one of the strongest maternal families in Greyhound Racing. His mother, Inspirationlee is a 2003 whelping by Hall Of Fame chaser, Brett Lee and champion broodbitch Thai Magic making her a litter sister to top sire and freak race dog Bond as well as part of a family that has a seemly endless array of black type winners throughout the family.
Continue reading Swansea Hotel Series Final At The Gardens Today

AGRA Greyhound Of The Year Awards

At a gala AGRA Awards night held on the infield of the Cannington race Complex in West Australia the Australian Greyhound Racing Association last Friday night announced Cindeen Shelby the winner of the 2009 AGRA Australian Greyhound of the Year.

It was a night of nights on the National scene with Delegates and club members coming together from all over Australia to celebrate the AGRA Awards night with all the stars under stars.

Hosted by GreyhoundsWA the association’s team is led by CEO David Simonette and Chairman Pat Tassell. They staged a unique and glittering affair out in the open and have certainly set the bench mark for the other states to follow in the years to come.
Continue reading AGRA Greyhound Of The Year Awards

2010 Australian Cup Detailed Form And Tips

Saturday nights 2010 Group 1 Australian Cup has been thrown wide open by the box draw with at least half the field all likely to be within a length of each other in the run to the first corner.

Birthday Boy’s emphatic semi final win should have held him in good stead for this week’s $150,000 to the winner final, but a box 8 draw has seen him posted only a $6 quote at Sportsbet on the fifth line of betting.

Dyna Lachlan, who has drawn the same box which he won the 2009 Group 2 Ballarat Cup from, has been posted the $3.5 favourite, just ahead of Queensland speedster High Earner who is a $4.25 quote at Sportsbet.
Continue reading 2010 Australian Cup Detailed Form And Tips

AGRA Announce 2009 Greyhound Of The Year Finalists

The AGRA today announced the three finalists for the 2009 AGRA Sky Channel Greyhound of the Year.
Amity Bale, Cindeen Shelby and El Galo were judged the top three after the judging Panel considered the achievements of five greyhounds nominated by the AGRA committee.

The judging panel consisting of administrators, media representatives from each state and a group of national media representatives from Print, Radio and Television.
Continue reading AGRA Announce 2009 Greyhound Of The Year Finalists

Queen Lauryn Retired And Will Go To Where’s Pedro

Star Queensland bitch and six time track record holder Queen Lauryn has run her last race and will be put in pup to El Galo’s sire Where’s Pedro.

The black bitch was being set for a tilt at the upcoming Sale Cup series but has again come “on season” interrupting her racing career.

The dual Group 1 winning bitch retires with the Group 1 Sapphire Crown Classic at Sandown over 515m and the Group 1 Brisbane (BGRC) Gold Cup over 710m at Albion Park to her credit.
Continue reading Queen Lauryn Retired And Will Go To Where’s Pedro

The Queen Makes It Track Record Number Six

Queensland bitch Queen Lauryn scored her sixth track record last night at Lismore over the middle distance before a large crowd.

After an mixed Melbourne Cup/Crown Classic campaign which saw the flying daughter of Token Prince ~ Cheeky Sprite set the time standard in the Group 1 Crown Classic heats only to run fourth in the Group 1 Final to Cindeen Shelby, “The Queen” was then scratched from the Sandown Shootout due to injury but faced the starter just one week later in Melbourne Cup heats, and was run out of the series by Remo Rubik.

Back home in Queensland with trainer Tony Brett and resuming from a two week break, Queen Lauryn was entered for a 4th/5th grade 635m race at Lismore, which had many in Greyhound Racing surprised, as the Group 1 Brisbane Cup heats were also scheduled to race this week at her home track of Albion Park.
Continue reading The Queen Makes It Track Record Number Six

Lord Ducal Takes Out Greyhound Racing’s Biggest Prize

Devon Meadows husband and wife team Jon and Jenny Roberts took out Australia’s richest and most prestigious greyhound race, the $250,000 Group 1 Solo Melbourne Cup at Sandown Park tonight.

“It’s unbelievable,” said triumphant trainer Jon.

“I’ve been in greyhounds a long time and I never thought this would happen.”
Continue reading Lord Ducal Takes Out Greyhound Racing’s Biggest Prize

2009 Melbourne Cup Final Detailed Form And Analysis

The 2009 Group 1 Solo Melbourne Cup offering $175,000 to the winner is Australia’s richest greyhound event and the richest free entry greyhound race in the world.

In the interest’s of helping you find the 2009 Group 1 Melbourne Cup winner Australian Racing Greyhound have scoured the history books to find all the facts and figures you need to know (and a few of the ones you don’t) to help steer you in the right direction.

Group 1 Melbourne Cup Facts and Figures

• Fastest time : 29.51, Betty’s Angel (2006) out of box 4
• Winners Sex : Dogs 42, Bitches 11
• No. Of Times The Favourite Salutes : Favourites have won on 22 occasions
• Shortest Priced Winner : Gold Grotto 1/2 ($1.50) 1972
• Longest Priced Winner : Classic Capri $25.90 2001
• Most Successful Trainer : Graeme Bate (3 winners): Satan’s Shroud (1981), Fair Sentence (1989), Kantarn Bale (1999), Darren McDonald (3 winners) : Hallucinate (2004), Shanlyn Prince (2007), Surgeon (2008).
• Greyhounds Who Won At Their Second Attempt : Saskaview (1963, 3rd 1962), Cheltenham Lass (1966, 2nd 1965), Classic Capri (2001, 2nd 2000)
• Biggest Winning Margin : 9 lengths – Fox Hunt 1991
• Smallest Winning Margin : A neck – shared by Chief Ranee 1960, Chris’ Dandy 1970, Black Aztec 1980, City Blitz 1995
• Track Records Run In The Melbourne Cup : In 1988 Hua set a new track record in winning of 30.01 over 511m
• Sires Who Sired The Melbourne Cup Trifecta : Chariot Supreme sired the trifecta in 1990 (Highly Blessed, Singalong, Black Pirate) and New Tears sired the trifecta in 1994 (Light of Fire, Zippity Magic, New Fox)
• Trainers To Go 1-2-3 : Graeme Bate trained the trifecta in 1999 – Kantarn Bale, Devon Road, Flying Law
• Distance Changes : 1956-1963 565 yards, 1964-1971 555 yards, 1972 507.5m, 1973-1985 513m, 1986-1995 511m, 1996-Present 515m
• Winners By State : 39 Victoria, 11 New South Wales, 2 Queensland, 1 South Australia

Continue reading 2009 Melbourne Cup Final Detailed Form And Analysis

Melbourne Cup Heats All Break 30 Seconds

Mr. Moorooduc ran the second fastest Solo Melbourne Cup heat time in the race’s 54 year history in a scintillating night of racing at Sandown Park tonight.

Beginning well from box 2, Mr. Moorooduc ($3.90) was never threatened, racing away to defeat fast finishing favourite Birthday Boy ($3.70F) by five lengths in a stunning 29.57 seconds.

Joining the white and brindle speedster in the $250,000 final is dual country cup winner Remo Rubik.
Continue reading Melbourne Cup Heats All Break 30 Seconds

2009 Melbourne Cup Preview And Form Analysis

After the high drama and remarkable scenes that dominated last years Melbourne Cup Fiasco, both during and after the race; the Sandown Greyhound Racing Club will hopeful this years series will be remembered purely for the Greyhound Racing action.

Eight heats of Group 1 racing face us tonight from the Lightwood Road track, with most of Australia’s best credentialed greyhounds lining up for a shot at one of Australia’s most prestigious greyhound races.

Of the top sprinting greyhounds in the AGRA rankings that haven’t retired, only High Earner and Nova Surf** are missing from the lineups. High Earner was never considered for the series after a sub-optimal trial last week and the dog has subsequently shown a blood irregularity.
Continue reading 2009 Melbourne Cup Preview And Form Analysis

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