Glen Gallon’s 2012 Albion Park Winter Cup

The juggernaut swept on its way when Glen Gallon ($4.20) won Thursday night's (520m) at Albion Park in race record time.

Leading trainer Brett landed his third straight Group 1 sprint at Albion Park when Glen Gallon scored by four and a quarter lengths over Wy Yung Tiger ($4.70) with a length to Zipping Catra ($21.50) in third.

Brett had trained Iso Octane to win last year's Winter Cup and Glen Gallon won the Group 1 Brisbane Cup late last year.

It was his 19th victory in 36 starts and the 29.86 time was a race record.

Brett changed training plans during the week in a bid to get Glen Gallon to begin and it worked perfectly.

But only two weeks ago the wheels had almost fallen off the Glen Gallon wagon when the dog was knocked from pillar to post when sixth to Tough As in a top grade race at Albion Park.
Brett had to work overtime to get the soreness out of him and have him right for the Cup heats last week.

“He was underdone for the heat,” said Tony. “But this week I decided to give him only one run up the straight track at home instead of my normal two gallops.

“He had reeled off a 5.71 first section when winning here four runs back and I thought we had to keep him a bit fresher. He needed to begin tonight.”

And begin he did.

Glen Gallon led around the first turn through a 5.77 first section and nothing was ever going to run him down after that.

Wy Yung Tiger fought on gamely in the straight for second and Sydney bitch Zipping Catra was always handy battling on well for third.

Owner and breeder Steve Williams, chief of the Velocity Lodge syndicate, was unable to attend the Cup night to see his dog win his second Group 1.

“Steve has been crook and didn't feel up to coming to Albion Park,” said Brett. “He is a wonderful owner. I've never seen anyone more devoted to their dogs.”

Glen Gallon is by former US champion Flying Stanley from Incoherent a bitch Williams raced with success some years ago. She was an Albion Park and Wentworth Park winner.

Glen Gallon has been invited to contest the Dapto Superstars sprint in three weeks time and Brett is keen to take him.

“The track might not be his ideal but if he can get onto the rails and handy he will be a great chance,” said Tony.

Brett was confident his dog would race well.

“We've been away with this dog and I know how tough it is to win against the locals,” he said. “I knew his home town advantage would be on his side.”

Long term plans are for the dog to take on the Sprint series at Albion Park with the final the ultimate prize.

After the placed runners the field finished in the following order 4th Young ($3.40), 5th Ritza Ryder ($4.70), 6th Cakes And Pies ($11.70), 7th Bellagio ($30.50) and Hanson Senor ($16.50).

Glen Gallon is Red Brindle dog whelped August '09 he is by Flying Standley from Incoerent (Bombastic Shiraz x Queen Of Tigers). He is raced by Velocity Lo Syndicate and trained by Tony Brett at Granchester in Queensland. Glen Gallon's current record stands at 36 starts for 19 wins and 8 placings and prizemoney earnings of $265,441.

The Winter Carnival Cup has taken on many different forms over the years and has been conducted also at different times during those years. It was first staged at the Gabba in 1978 and sponsored by famous Queensland brewing company Castlemaine XXXX and known as their Trophy, it was run over the testing 558 metre sprint course. It remained the Castlemaine XXXX Trophy right up until 1992 apart from one year in 1987 when it was called the Christmas Trophy. When racing moved to Albion Park in 1993 the race was called the Christmas Stocking for one year and it continued its Group 1 status that the race had gained in 1991 and maintains currently. The feature dropped back to Group 2 in 1997 and 1998, but returned to Group 1 in 1999.

Like many other feature races around Australia in the 90's in was sponsored by the Pet food company Eukanuba from 1994 to 1997 and its subsequent company Nutrience in 1998 and 1999. It the year 2000 the club developed the now successful Winter Carnival at the suggestion of race caller John Brasch and the race became that Carnivals major Group 1 feature the Winter Carnival Cup. It has been won by some champion sprinters over the years and the following is but a few of those stars. Call Me Roscoe 81, Glanzend 82, Acacia Park 84, Dancing Gamble 87, Golden Fox 88, 90, Iceni Princess 92, Toban Leah 94, Flying Amy 95, Roanokee 96, Wine Glass 97, Winged Runner 99, 2001, 2003, 2004 Trewly Special, 2008 and 2009 Trew Millions.

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