This Week In Racing History
November
19
A crowd estimated at 16,000 attended Harold Park in 1949, creating a new record for attendance at a greyhound meeting in Australia. They saw a dead-heat in one event and Pretty Secret equal the 800 yards (732 metres) track record of 43.7 in scoring her seventh win in 12 starts at the Glebe circuit.
Mixed Blessings won the 1979 final of the Olympic Park Distance Championship (732 metres) from Irish Haste and Midnight Hour. It was the first time the race, inaugurated in 1967, had been held in November. It was also the last time the event was run until 1984. The race is now known as the AWM Distance Title.
Toban Leah took out the 1994 City of Ipswich Gold Cup, run over 512 metres, defeating Diamond Rell and Lookout Max for trainer Dave Brett.
20
Nulla's Idol caused a boilover when she downed champion stayer He's Some Boy by two lengths in the final of the 1972 Spring Cup, run over 732 metres at Olympic Park.
High Climax won the 1975 Queensland Derby, run over 558 metres at the Gabba, scoring by five lengths from Cruisaway.
21
A greyhound track at Alfred Oval in Young opened in 1953 with sprint distances over 550 yards (503 metres).
Former Victorian stayer Sonic Wave established a track record 42.09 for the 720 metres trip on the new grass circuit at Wentworth Park when she won the 1987 Summer Cup. This was the first time the historic race had been run at Wentworth Park since the closure of Harold Park.
South Australian staying star Gem Supreme took out the 1992 Summer Cup (720 metres, Wentworth Park), defeating National Digger by half a head. This was the first Summer Cup contested on the new loam surface.
22
Reena's Raider downed Alarmist Belle by six lengths to win the 1972 Farrell's Dog Food Trophy, run over 617 metres at Bulli. Reena's Raider, a greyhound which would often race two or three times a week, earned $750 for connections.
The 2003 running of the 520-metre Bull N Barley Cup at Wentworth Park saw All Display overcome box six to score by almost nine lengths and earn $8,000 for connections.
23
The inaugural Queensland Derby was run over 558 metres at the Gabba in 1972 and saw the Reg Smith trained Dixie's First score by seven lengths from Native Glen and Soval.
National Lass made it four starts for four wins over 732 metres at Harold Park when she led all the way from box four to take out the 1985 Summer Cup at Harold Park, downing Statistician by four lengths in a fast 42.83.
Donovan Bailey set a new race record time of 42.96 in downing the Victorian pair Happy Reuben and Ebony Park Lass in the 1996 Summer Cup final at Wentworth Park.
A fire destroyed much of the steward's accommodation and ground staff facilities at the Cannington track in 2001.
24
Champion stayer Pharaoh's Mask set a new track record time of 43.09 for 732 metres at Olympic Park in 1986.
Exiting box seven, Hua took out the 1988 Melbourne Cup by two lengths from Disco Dishlicka and Indiana, running a new track record time of 30.01 for the 511 metres trip.
25
The Sandown greyhound track had its official opening in 1952. The Lightwood Road circuit had the largest turn of any course in the country.
Some Secret won the 2005 Paws of Thunder (520 metres, Wentworth Park) by just over five lengths, running 30.05 to equal the race record set the previous year by Stately Bird.