Friday Night Lightning
The inaugural Neds Friday Night Lightning meeting at Wentworth Park proved to be a tremendous success both on and off the track.
Many fans new to greyhound racing were not only enthralled by the action on the track, but made the most of the additional entertainment - a mechanical bull ride, table tennis, pinball machines, and a variety of food options from the food trucks - off the track.
On track - despite a number of trainers bringing multiple greyhounds to town chasing a slice of the $10,000 trainers’ bonus – each of the 10 events were won by different trainers.
The star of the night was the Rod McDonald-trained Dana Ali, who clocked 15.89s – just 0.15s off the track record of Estranged.
Other winners on the night were: Gemala Girl (16.46s), Mind Blowin’ (16.43s), Iron Izmir (16.59s), Ferno The Nando (16.52s), Danni Said No (16.20s), Bluestone Sophie (16.29s), Raglan Revolver (16.39s), Cougar County (16.42s), and Reciprocal (16.37s).
The Neds Friday Night Lightning Series will continue next week on March 22, and the following three Fridays - see the full trainers' leader board here.
Midnight Dare Now Headed for the Easter Egg
David Pringle’s latest kennel star Midnight Dare made it five from five and booked her place in the heats of the Ladbrokes Golden Easter Egg with a tenacious win in a prelude of the event at Wentworth Park on Saturday night.
Following her win at Wenty in 29.55s a week earlier, Midnight Dare was expected to win again off the two box, but was always likely to find the competition a bit stronger in the Egg prelude.
The daughter of Buck Fever and Midnight Capers led early but was challenged up the back and on the turn out of the back straight.
But showing real tenacity, she rallied and burst clear for another impressive win in 29.90s.
Watch her most recent run at Wentworth Park here.
Gold Muzzle Puppy Auction Nominations Open
Participants are reminded that nominations for the 2019 Gold Muzzle Auction have now opened.
The series, open to pups whelped between July 1, 2018 and January 31, 2019, and restricted to a maximum of just 150 nominations, will see pups auctioned at the 2019 Gold Muzzle Auction to be staged at Richmond Racetrack on Sunday, June 23.
Pups sold at the Auction will be eligible to nominate for two Golden Muzzle race series' that will be conducted in 2020, which the feature event at Wentworth Park offering $40,000 to the winner of the final.
Read the details of the Golden Muzzle Auctions here
Trebles for JODIE and Stuart
It was a great night at Wentworth Park on Saturday for trainer JODIE Lord and owner Stuart Dickinson.
The pair each finished the night with a treble after Cawbourne Madox (30.36s), Cawbourne Marty (29.99s) and Cawbourne Get Up (30.40s) all took out their respective events
The Gunning-based trainer also had a winning double at Richmond on Friday with Banjo Big and Bland Purr both saluting.
Another impressive winner on Saturday night in town was 2018 Young Star winner Federal Lilly who posted the best of the night, 29.72s for new trainer Peter Lagogiane.
Success at Bulli
Hunter Valley trainer Daniel Flanagan was another to claim a Saturday night treble when he headed to Bulli with three greyhounds – Pop’s Paradise, Exploder and Katoby, and all three headed back up the highway to the Hunter as winners.
Maitland Gold Cup Final
Fernando Blaster has been installed the early short-priced favourite for Thursday night’s Group 2 Maitland Gold Cup, following his best of the day performance in the heats, and having come up with the red in the final.
The Terry Jordan-trained sprinter – who started favourite in last month’s National Derby final at Wentworth Park - clocked 24.70s in his heat, again when exiting the one box.
Other heats winners were Black Forge (24.81s), Call Me Ugo (24.89s), Hardaway Titan (24.86s), and Dyna Hunter (25.01s). The fastest three second placegetters also advanced to the final: Aston Duke, Burning Fuel and Corykodi. The track record holder, Pindari Express finished second to Call Me Ugo, but his time was only fast enough to be second reserve. Flying Apollo is the first reserve.
GAP Western Sydney Adoption Day
The brand new Greyhounds As Pets facility at Western Sydney will celebrate their opening next Sunday with a Grand Opening Adoption Day.
Located on Reynolds Road, Londonderry, GAP Western Sydney, will host the day from 10am to 2pm.
There will be around 25 greyhounds available for adoption on the day. There will also be a number of GAP staff and volunteers on hand during the day to answer any questions and provide information on all things greyhound adoption.
For more information head to the www.gapnsw.com.au
