Million Dollar Chase in Gunnedah
It’s now less than two weeks until the TAB Million Dollar Chase gets underway with heats at Gunnedah on August 31, and last Friday the the Minister for Better Regulation and INNOVATION, responsible for racing, the local member, the Hon Kevin Anderson, with the help of numerous dignitaries, launched the event and made a special announcement around entertainment.
Mr Anderson pointed out the economic benefits for the local community will be enormous, with many out of town owners and trainers, as well as greyhound enthusiasts, heading to Gunnedah for the series.
At the launch, it was also announced that country music star Travis Collins will perform on the opening night of the series, as Gunnedah makes its debut in the Million Dollar Chase.
“To have Gunnedah as part of the TAB Million Dollar Chase series is exciting,” Anderson said. “They will be coming from everywhere, to get a slice of that coin.
“We’re in the worst drought in history so what we’ve got to do is think outside the square as to how do we get people to come to regional NSW, and invest, and drop some money and help local businesses, that will be a real boost for the economy.
“And to have Trav play at the Million Dollar Chase on August 31 is going to be fantastic. He will bring people as well. It’s a great package and what you’ve got to do with things, is value add, and obviously the greyhound race is going to be a big drawcard, but to also have Travis Collins playing … I think people will come from everywhere.
“This is fantastic for me to be involved with. I’m a big racing fan and I really like the direction Tony Mestrov the CEO is taking Greyhound Racing NSW and welfare and integrity sit at the top of everything this organisation does.”
To read more about the Gunnedah launch, head here
Crocmedia National Championships
The racing spotlight this week shines upon the West as the finals of the 2019 Crocmedia Nationals will be held on Saturday night at Cannington in Perth.
In the Sprint final, NSW will be represented by the Frank Hurst-trained Good Odds Harada - a litter brother of Franky">Feral Franky – while in the Distance Final, the John Finn trained Veloce Nero will represent NSW.
In the Sprint, Victorian Black Opium is the favourite, ahead of local star Premium Share.
The tab.com.au market for the Sprint Final is: $2.10 Black Opium $3.20 Premium Share $4.50 Campini (2R) $5.00 Good Odds Harada $8.00 Starlight Yoyo (1R) $12.00 Silver Stunner $21.00 Dyna Dave $31.00 Hello Rhonda $101.00 Ebby Lamar.
In the Distance final, Tornado Tears, who holds the Cannington 715m track record, is an odds on favourite to win the title.
Tornado Tears went under the 600m Cannington track record of 34.49s in a solo trial on Saturday stopping the clock at 34.45s.
The tab.com.au market for Distance Final is: $1.45 Tornado Tears $5.00 Reidys Runner $6.50 Miss Gingin $8.00 Rajasthan $10.00 Veloce Nero $21.00 Back On Lava (1R) $51.00 Fantastic Ghost (2R) $71.00 Bronelly Jacob $101.00 Sale Graze Bindi amd Opawa Hilary $101.
Watch Tornado Tears set the Cannington 715m track record
Forbes trainer Jack Smith took his kennel star Feral Franky to Melbourne to trial for a place in the upcoming Speed Star series on Sunday.
The Feral, who was second to Flynn in a Speed Star match-racing event earlier this year, posted a fast 29.247s, a time which took him to the top of the standings and virtually ensured he will have a place in the field on September 15.
But it was only a temporary hold on top spot for The Feral, as boom pup Hooked On Scotch set a scintillating 29.087s soon after to take over the number one ranking.
Black Top Heats And Dapto Maiden Heats
Heats of the Group 2 Black Top will be run at Ladbrokes Garden this Friday night.
The event, the highlight of the club’s racing calendar, will undoubtedly attract a number of quality dogs, all chasing the $40,000 to the winner prizemoney for the final, which will be run on August 30.
Last year’s final was taken out by the Charmaine Roberts-trained Caitlyn Keeping, who only gained a start in the final after the injury-enforced scratching of Black Forge between heats and final. Caitlyn Keeping held off the favourite, the Jason MACKAY-trained Zipping Tayla.
MACKAY is expected to be well represented again this year in the Black Top.
Fields will be drawn on Tuesday morning.
Also this week are the heats of the Beteasy Maiden series at Dapto.
Four heats will be run this Thursday, with the $10,000 to the winner final scheduled for Thursday August 29.
Watch Caitlyn Keeping win last year’s Black Top Final here
Success for Hardman
He’s a litter brother to Good Odds Harada, Good Odds Buddy, and of course Feral Franky, but Inversion had shown little of the ability of his more decorated siblings … until last Saturday night.
Inversion, by Collision out of Solar Pak, had managed just one win in 17 starts before Saturday, but flew around Wentworth Park in 29.76s, the best of the night, and showing he may be starting to live up to the hype of his littermates.
Trainer Mick Hardman has had Inversion in his kennel for around eight weeks, and has gradually seen the benefits of his training methods on the dog, culminating in Saturday’s success.
Hardman will give Inversion another start at Wenty next weekend, and depending on the performance, he will then decide whether to embark on the TAB Million Dollar Chase with the dog.
He did confirm that last year’s MDC semi-finalist, and Golden Easter Egg heat winner, Nangar Kash will contest the series again.
Watch Inversion win at Wentworth Park here
Registration Renewals are due
Participants are reminded that registrations must be renewed by August 31, 2019 and registrations not renewed by this date will be expired.
Participants not renewed by August 31, 2019, will not be permitted to nominate, race or handle a greyhound at the track from September 1, 2019.
If participants wish to continue in the industry and do not renew by August 31, 2019, they will need to apply for a new registration as any new participant would, including a new police check in order to pass the 'Fit and Proper Person' assessment.
To renew your 2019-20 registration, go to the link here and renew on the GWIC website.
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.
To find out all the dates and locations for August go here
Greyhound Industry Core Skill Set Course
Have your current skills and knowledge nationally recognised.
Industry participants have the opportunity to complete a skill set course fully funded by the government.
The Greyhound Industry Core Skill Set has 3 pilot programmes running in Tamworth, Goulburn and Dapto with limited spaces so enrol now or for more info.
