Crocmedia National Championships
Good Odds Harada and Veloce Nero won their way through to represent New South Wales in the Crocmedia National Championship Finals in Perth later this month, with thrilling wins in the sprint and distance State finals at Wentworth Park last Thursday night.
Drawn the one box, Good Odds Harada was expected to lead and be hard to Chase down, but the Frank Hurst-trained sprinter dwelt at the start and was second last, stuck in traffic at the winning post the first time.
Heading up the back, Good Odds Harada had worked his way up into fifth, but looked as though he may be giving the leaders, Nangar Kash, Cawborne Marty and Miley Nismo, too big of a start.
On the top turn, Good Odds Harada was still in fifth and four lengths off the leader.
But he hooked out wide, steadied swinging for home, and rattled down the outside to score a remarkable win in 29.87s. Nangar Kash held on for second ¾ length away, with Cawborne Marty a further ¾ length away in third.
In the other feature on the night, it was one of the five runners trainer John Finn had engaged, Veloce Nero, taking out the NSW Distance Final.
The daughter of Chica Destacada, will now head to Perth - the place where her mother won the National Sprint Championship for NSW back in 2014 – for the National Distance Championship final on August 24.
State Finals of the Sprint and Distance Championships were held around the country on Thursday night.
State Sprint winners who have now qualified for the National Final on August 24 were: Black Opium (Victoria), Ebby Lamar (South Australia), Hello Rhonda (Tasmania), Silver Stunner (Queensland), Premium Share (Western Australia) and Dyna Dave (NEW ZEALAND).
State Distance winners who have now qualified for the National Final on August 24 were: Rajasthan (Victoria), Sale Graze Bindi (South Australia), Bronelly Jacob (Tasmania), Miss Gingin (Queensland), Reidy’s Runner (Western Australia) and Opawa Hilary (NEW ZEALAND).
Watch Good Odds Harada win the NSW Final here
Feral Franky set to Open TAB Million Dollar Chase in Gunnedah
Feral Franky, greyhound racing’s current cult hero, is poised to kickstart the TAB Million Dollar Chase series with an appearance at the event’s opening round of heats in Gunnedah.
While most would have expected the Forbes-trained star to tackle the round scheduled for his ‘home’ track at Dubbo, trainer Jack Smith revealed after The Feral won again at Wentworth Park on Saturday night, that Gunnedah is being seriously contemplated.
The TAB Million Dollar Chase – which culminates with the world’s richest greyhound race on October 18 at Wentworth Park – will begin on August 31 when the Gunnedah track makes its debut as a host venue for the series.
“We are tossing up between Gunnedah and Bathurst because they are the first ones,” Smith said. “We want to get him through (to the semi-finals) as quick as we can.”
Smith confirmed that Feral Franky has not been to Gunnedah, but is expected to head there for a trial in coming weeks, adding that the 527m journey is appealing for his come-from-behind sprinter.
“He’s never seen Gunnedah, but he doesn’t seem to worry about any sort of track. He’ll do his best for sure,” Smith said.
“The 527m is very appealing because it looks a little bit harder of a run (than the Bathurst 520m).”
Watch Feral Franky’s latest Wentworth Park win here
Finish On Lure race meeting
GRNSW and GWIC are pleased to announce that a race meeting has been scheduled at Richmond on Sunday 25th August, 2019 and will be conducted under the auspices of Finish on Lure (FoL) racing. This is a first for the greyhound racing industry in NSW and is seen as a measure to support many participants and their greyhounds who have advocated this type of racing for some time.
Over the past six weeks complimentary trials have been conducted at the Richmond Race Club after race meetings on Wednesdays and Fridays and the feedback from all participants involved has been positive.
GRNSW and GWIC have been working closely together with the Richmond Club and industry participants to ensure that all operations of a race meeting for FoL racing have been covered and considered.
Nominations for the Richmond meeting will be conducted under normal GRNSW conditions. Further information for nomination closing times and race programming will be available within the next 48 hours via the thedogs website
Participants are advised that all nominations for the 25th August is for FoL racing only, however, GRNSW reserves the right to alter conditions if there are insufficient nominations to conduct a FoL race meeting.
GRNSW and GWIC plan to conduct further race meetings and also extend the FoL trial at other racing venues in coming weeks. FoL racing in NSW will be constantly reviewed to ensure best practice.
Ladbrokes Zoom Top Maiden
Yass trainer Neil Staines admits his latest star Lightning VISION may not be the fastest in his kennel, but he concedes the winner of last Tuesday’s Ladbrokes Zoom Top Maiden doesn’t cause him as many concerns as his fastest greyhound.
Lightning VISION justified his short quote when he powered to the lead early, and raced away for an impressive 5¼ length win in a slick 24.68s, slightly faster than the time he posted in last week’s heats. Second went to reserve Conrod Straight with Ebby Infrared a further ¾ length away in third.
Staines has put the collar and lead on many smart greyhounds throughout his career, and one of those, Bogan Doonie, came perilously close to qualifying for last year’s Million Dollar Chase grand final, finishing a length second behind Azkaban in the event’s semi-finals. A week later she was runner-up to True Talent in the Million Dollar Chase consolation.
“He’s (Lightning VISION) not as fast as Bogan Doonie, but he’s more reliable,” Staines explained. “When I say that, I mean in terms of box manners. This dog is getting it. He was having his problems with boxes early but he’s starting to get it together now. If they can string three or four (good starts) together you know you’ve got them. Doonie … she’s likely to turn up and play up. You don’t know when you’ve got her.”
Watch Lightning VISION’s Zoom Top Final win here
Pet Prep Seminars
The highly successful Pet Prep Seminars will be continuing in August.
Learn how to achieve better race performance & rehoming success with speakers, Dr Norman Blackman, Chief Veterinary Officer, GRNSW and Tracy Irons, Co – founder and Director at Australian Veterinary Behaviour Services (AVBS)
If you need support to register please email education@grnsw.com.au or contact GRNSW Education on 8324 7648.
