Tommy Brislane Heads NSW Hopes For Topgun

By Stuart Turner

Flying Tommy Brislane heads the list of seven NSW greyhounds nominated for the forthcoming Group 1 Melbourne Greyhound Racing Association (MRGA) Sky Racing Topgun (525m).

Last Saturday's Group 2 Bob Payne Spring Sprint winner (pictured, white rug), who also claimed the recent Sportingbet Dapto Megastar, is in 32-strong-list of provisional entries for the race.

Other NSW chasers nominated include Chica Destacada, Evil Punk, Ritza Hattie, Rue De Kahn, Shoulders and Zipping Willow.

The list includes several notables from across the country, including the legendary Xylia Allen, Oakvale Destiny, Ernie Bung Arrow and Buckle Up Wes.

Formidable Victorians Hooksy and Allen Deed have also been put forward.

The Topgun Panel will then meet on Sunday, October 12 to cut the field down to eight from the list of trainers who accepted first round invitations.
 
The final field will then be announced on Sky Racing’s The Catching Pen on Tuesday, October 14 at 7.30pm, with the $150,000-to-the-winner taking place on Saturday, October 25.

MGRA spokesman  George Farrugia said that this year’s Topgun again promises to be one of the most anticipated nights on the racing calendar.

“The 32 first round nominations are of the highest quality and the lead up to this race will be huge," he said.

"The Panel face the unenviable task of selecting eight greyhounds from such a talented group of chasers.”

The full list of nominees is as follows (home state in brackets): Allen Deed, Awesome Project, Banjo Boy, Buckle Up MASON, Campaspe Will, Crackerjak Dak, Hawk Alone, Hooksy, Keybow, Marcus Joe, Mepunga Hayley, My Bro Fabio, Oakvale Destiny, Ollie Bale, Tonk, warrior King, Xylia Allen (Victoria); Chica Destacada, Evil Punk, Ritza Hattie, Rue De Kahn, Shoulders, Tommy Brislane, Shoulders (NSW); Flash Reality, Iva Vision (Queensland); Ernie Bung Arrow (South Australia); On Coin, Star Recall, Te Amo, Zelemar Fever (Western Australia); Buckle Up Wes (Tasmania).