This Week In Racing History
MAY
28
Greyhound racing behind the mechanical lure began at the Epping (Harold Park) track in 1927. A crowd of 3,000 people turned out on a Saturday to watch a series of non-betting races. The events were referred to as ‘courses' with the first race won by Bellamaud by four lengths, earning £12 for connections. The track surface was cinders
Te Ropa Lee became the third Victorian stayer to annex the Association Cup (732 metres at Harold Park) when downing NSW star Kawati Boy by three-quarters of a length to take the 1977 running. Michele Cherie was fourth while Woolley Wong (1976 winner) was among the unplaced division.
Iceni Princess won the 1992 Schweppes Cup (511 metres at Sandown) by seven lengths from New Wish and Our Henry. Among the unplaced division were South Australian star True To Do and Highly Blessed, while Malawi's Prince was scratched.
El Galo defeated El Masri Bale and Awesome Hustler to take out the 2008 Bulli Gold Cup (472 metres). Awesome Hustler had run third in the same event the previous year.
29
Classy South Australian stayer Bayroad Queen downed Victorian pair Quick Pulse and Shamrock Jewel in the 1982 Association Cup (732 metres, Harold Park).
Balance Sheet collected $12,000 for winning the 1998 West Australian Oaks (530 metres) at Cannington. Trained by Sue Dellecoste, Balance Sheet ran 30.86 to set a new race record. Daring Speed and Miss Kaycee Robyn dead-heated for second.
Victorian sprinters Paddy's Fault and Gruce Bibbney ran the quinella in the 1999 West Australian Derby (530 metres, Cannington). Paddy's Fault, trained by Tom Dailly, ploughed through a heavy track to score in a slow 31.15.
30
Top Simbi took out the 1974 Lord Mayor's Cup over 558 metres at the Gabba, running 32.77. The Queensland champion had won the 1973 event in race record time and became the only greyhound to win the Lord Mayor's Cup twice.
Champion Victorian stayer Bold Trease defeated NSW star Toni's Comic in the 1987 Association Cup (732 metres, Harold Park). It was the last occasion the race was held at Harold Park before the track was closed down.
31
Newcastle held its first race meeting up the straight at Broadmeadow, in 1952.
Winsome Lesson defeated Victorian See You Later and Winsome History to take out the 2006 Bulli Gold Cup for trainer John Finn. Winsome Lesson scored by just over nine lengths in a fast 25.94 for the 472-metre trip.
JUNE
1
Sentinel successfully returned to racing after being retired nine months earlier, scoring over 500 yards (457 metres) at Gosford by two lengths in 1937, equalling the track record of 30.3.
Zoom Top snared the 1968 Association Cup (800 yards or 732 metres, Harold Park), downing Beverley Moss by six lengths and running a race record 43.7.
Vindoza took out the 1992 Provincial Cup (511 metres, Olympic Park), defeating Hula Chief and Bugetti.
2
Mandagery Man, from NSW, won the 2007 West Australian Derby (530 metres, Cannington) by four lengths from Victorian sprinter Vulture Street.
3
Ada Yin registered her ninth consecutive metropolitan win when taking out the President's Stake over 750 yards (686 metres) at Wentworth Park in 1950. Ada Yin an the journey in 41.1 to break the track record by 2/10ths.
Ragsie became the first Victorian stayer to win the Association Cup (800 yards, or 732 metres, at Harold Park), in 1972. Ragsie, then trained in NSW by Paul Cauchi for owner Daryl Thomas, ran 43.6 to equal the race record.
Outsider Cyclone Corsica defeated Kawati Boy by just half a head to win the 1978 Association Cup (732 metres at Harold Park). The runner-up became the first greyhound to have run second in successive Association Cup finals.