AT THE POST

Group 1 Hume Cup (600m)

THE MEADOWS, 02 NOVEMBER

1st LAST HURRAH

Breeding: Male Feb ’17 Where’s Pedro x Quick Succession Breeder: Amanda Honan, Lara VIC Owner: John Maple, Newcomb VIC Trainer: Brett Nye, Little River VIC First prize: $75,000 Odds: $3.50F Time: 34.23sec (Best) Margin: 3.27L 2nd: Christo Bale 3rd: Zero Cool How the race was won: Dubbed 'Mr. Versatile', Last Hurrah ($3.50F) boxed brilliantly from Box 3 and was quickly in control defeating Christo Bale ($6.20) by 3.27L, with Zero Cool ($3.80) a further 0.36L away third in 34.23sec (Best). Last Hurrah registered his 33rd win from 70 starts and made it seven straight wins. It was also his sixth group race appearance, having been runner-up in the G2 McKenna Memorial (595m) at Sandown and a finalist in the G1 Australian Cup (525m) at The Meadows.

Group 3 RSN Silver Bullet (525m)

THE MEADOWS, 02 NOVEMBER

1st HARD STYLE RICO

Breeding: Male Jan ’18 Bella Infrared x Bella Rico Breeder/Owner/Trainer: Luckie Karabitsakos, Pearcedale VIC First prize: $25,000 Odds: $8.10 Time: 29.46sec (Best) Margin: 6.19L 2nd: Simon Told Helen 3rd: Dr. Tucker How the race was won: Star sprinter Hard Style Rico ($8.10) catapulted from Box 7 and romped in, defeating Australia’s No. 1 sprinter and reigning Australian GOTY Simon Told Helen ($3.10F) by 6.19L, with G3 Great Chase winner Dr. Tucker ($3.90) a further 0.64L away third in a sizzling 29.46sec (Best). Hard Style Rico notched his 19th win from 37 starts It was also his seventh win (with two seconds) from 11 starts over 525m at The Meadows. He has also won the G2 Shepparton Cup and holds Shepparton’s 450m track record (24.77sec).

Last Hurrah proves resilient in the Hume Cup, with Brett Nye

Peter Riley’s smiling behind that mask; and so is Batman

Group 1 TAB Topgun Stayers (725m)

THE MEADOWS, 07 NOVEMBER

1st TORNADO TEARS

Breeding: Male Feb ’16 Fernando Bale x Tears Siam Breeder: Michael Ivers, Somersby NSW Owner: Millmi syndicate (Camilla Limon), Wongarbon NSW Trainer: Robert Britton, Lara VIC First prize: $75,000 Odds: $6.40 Time: 42.59sec (Best) Margin: 2.44L 2nd: Here’s Tears 3rd: Just Terms How the race was won: Ageless staying monarch Tornado Tears ($6.40) became the sport’s eighth ‘millionaire’ and notched his sixth G1 win. He was only fairly away from Box 6 but persisted with a rails run and received a saloon passage sweeping for home. He defeated his younger full brother Here’s Tears ($3.40) – also trained by Rob Britton – by 2.44L, with Just Terms ($15.50) a further 0.06L away third in 42.59sec (Best). Tornado Tears registered his 35th win from 67 starts – and made it nine from 13 over 725m at The Meadows.

Group 3 Shootout (515m)

SANDOWN PARK, 12 NOVEMBER

1st TIGGERLONG TONK

Breeding: Male Feb ’18 Dyna Double One x Tiggerlong Dot Breeder/Owner: Michael Finn, Wagga Wagga NSW Trainer: Correy Grenfell, Mount Wallace VIC First prize: $25,000 Odds: $6.50 Time: 29.03sec (race record) Margin: 1.53L 2nd: Shima Shine 3rd: Christo Bale How the race was won: Sprinting sharpshooter Tiggerlong Tonk ‘shot the lights out’ in setting a race record (29.03sec). The outsider of the four-dog field, Tiggerlong Tonk ‘came out firing’ from Box 5 to defeat Shima Shine ($2.40F) by 1.53L, with Christo Bale ($4.60) a further 1L away third. Hard Style Rico ($2.50) finished fourth, beaten 3.69L. Tiggerlong Tonk notched his 31st win from 59 starts. The G2 Horsham Cup winner also made it nine wins from 21 starts over 515m at Sandown – and snared his 10th win from his past 16 starts.

Mario Briganti with Manila Knight, flanked by GRV Chair Peita Duncan and CEO Alan Clayton

Group 1 Bold Trease (715m)

SANDOWN PARK, 27 NOVEMBER

1st MANILA KNIGHT

Breeding: Male May ’18 Barcia Bale x Angie Rocks Breeder: Deborah Mowat, Tuerong VIC Owner: Phillip Smith, Benowa QLD Trainer: Mario Briganti, Tuerong VIC First prize: $105,000 Odds: $6.70 Time: 41.66sec (Best) Margin: 0.64L 2nd: Sir Truculent 3rd: Houdini Boy How the race was won: Staying revelation Manila Knight led all the way from Box 8 to win one of the blue riband staying events on the calendar. Contesting only his second distance race, Manila Knight ($6.70) staved off SA star Sir Truculent ($11.10) by 0.64L, with Houdini Boy ($2.90F) a further 0.52L away third in 41.66sec (Best). Manila Knight recorded his 15th win from 36 starts – and his seventh win in nine starts from Box 8. In the lead-up to the Bold Trease series, he set a new 650m track record (36.88sec) at Shepparton. He was also a finalist in the G3 Cranbourne Classic (520m) and G3 Speed Star (525m) at The Meadows.

Group 1 TAB Melbourne Cup (515m)

SANDOWN PARK, 27 NOVEMBER

1st HARD STYLE RICO

Breeding: Male Jan ’18 Bella Infrared x Bella Rico Breeder/Owner/Trainer: Luckie Karabitsakos, Pearcedale VIC First prize: $435,000 Odds: $5.70 Time: 28.91sec (track record) Margin: 5.5L 2nd: Simon Told Helen 3rd: Tommy Shelby How the race was won: Champion sprinter Hard Style Rico ($5.70) set a new track record with a scintillating 28.91sec display of unadulterated speed. It was his first G1 win from five attempts. He led from go-to-whoa from Box 5 and defeated Australian Greyhound of the Year Simon Told Helen ($2.40F) by 5.5L, with WA wonder Tommy Shelby ($5.20) a further 2.03L away third. Hard Style Rico notched his 21st win from 40 starts. He also won the G2 Shepparton Cup (450m) and G3 Silver Bullet (525m) at The Meadows. And he’s Shepparton’s 450m track record holder (24.77sec).

Hard Style Rico with breeder/owner/trainer Luckie Karabitsakos and the TAB Melbourne Cup trophy.

Group 3 RSN Cup Night Sprint (515m)

SANDOWN PARK, 27 NOVEMBER

1st MUSIC EVENT

Breeding: Male Nov ’18 Lochinvar Marlow x Jazzy Lou Breeder/Owner: Steven Jones, Orange NSW Trainer: Michael Carter, Kialla VIC First prize: $25,000 Odds: $4.80F Time: 29.25sec Margin: 0.63L 2nd: Short Pork 3rd: Junk Food Junkie How the race was won: Music Event ($4.80F) missed the kick from Box 2 but produced a phenomenal railing exhibition and stormed home to defeat Short Pork ($2.20F) by 0.63L, with Junk Food Junkie ($15.20) a further 1.83L away third in a slick 29.25sec. Music Event registered his 11th win from 21 starts and his third win from five starts over 515m at Sandown. It was also his eighth win from his past 11 starts.

Group 3 Sir John Dillon Memorial (595m)

SANDOWN PARK, 27 NOVEMBER

1st WEBLEC ACE

Breeding: Male Sep ’17 Kinloch Brae x Weblec Rose Breeder: Jane McNicholl, Williamstown SA Owner: Weber Loechel syndicate (Jeffrey Weber), Bowhill SA Trainer: Jeffrey Britton, Anakie VIC First prize: $25,000 Odds: $2.60F Time: 33.89sec Margin: 0.54L 2nd: Christo Bale 3rd: Mepunga Maggie How the race was won: Weblec Ace ($2.60F) jumped well from Box 1 and camped behind kennelmate Mepunga Maggie before taking over approaching the home turn. He then held off the barnstorming Christo Bale ($2.90) in the home straight to score by 0.54L, with Mepunga Maggie ($53.00) a further 1.67L away third in a smart 33.89sec. It was Weblec Ace’s 19th win from 48 starts. He also won last year’s G3 Cranbourne Classic (520m).

Group 2 BFC Ballarat Cup (450m)

BALLARAT, 12 DECEMBER

1st YOZO BALE

Breeding: Male Mar ’18 Fernando Bale x Purcell Bale Breeder/Owner: Janice Wheeler, Boorowa NSW Trainer: Correy Grenfell, Mount Wallace VIC First prize: $47,000 Odds: $2.00F Time: 24.88sec (Best) Margin: 2.71L 2nd: Special Talent 3rd: Fortuna Bale How the race was won: Exploded from Box 1 and was always in control, completing a Group 2 Bendigo CupBallarat Cup double. He defeated Special Talent ($4.20) by 2.71L, with Fortuna Bale ($10.40) a further 2.45L away third in 24.88sec (Best). It was his 18th win from 40 starts and his fourth win a row. Yozo Bale was also a G2 Geelong Gold Cup finalist.

Weblec Ace’s 19th win was the G3 Sir John Dillon Memorial at Sandown Park

GRV reports on a big year for Victorian greyhound racing

Record wagering, the biggest racing program to date, 2,542 greyhounds rehomed and major new media initiatives were some of the highlights in Greyhound Racing Victoria’s (GRV) 2019-20 Annual Report, which was tabled in the Victorian Parliament on 10 December 2020. National wagering turnover on Victorian greyhound racing in 2019-20 reached a new record $2.6 billion, up 10% on last year. Victoria’s greyhound racing program expanded to 1,198 race meetings over the year, including new events such as the inaugural SEN National Straight Track Championship, the innovative State-of-Origin event between Victoria and South Australia, ‘GR8 8’ special events and the Bendigo Battlers Cup. And in a historic first for Australian greyhound racing, GRV partnered with SKY Racing to broadcast Saturday morning meetings and then with Sky Racing World and TAB to broadcast Victorian greyhound racing throughout the USA. GRV Chair, Peita Duncan, said these outcomes were achieved despite a range of challenges including a canine gastroenteritis outbreak, extreme weather conditions and bushfires and COVID-19. “During the COVID restrictions, GRV committed to maintaining prizemoney levels and racing schedules to ensure the livelihood of thousands of people and hundreds of local suppliers, many in regional Victoria, and the welfare of thousands of dogs,” Ms Duncan said, GRV’s CEO Alan Clayton said that like many other organisations across Australia, it was a financially challenging year for GRV and the clubs as TAB retail outlets were closed and track attendance limited. “However, GRV’s ability to offer a consistent and trusted wagering product when many other sports were shut down helped ensure a good financial outcome for the year and we are well placed for future growth,” Mr Clayton said. GRV’s 2019-20 Annual Report is available online at:

grv.org.au/about-us/grv-annual-reports

Community clubs share in $10,000 in TAB Melbourne Cup sweep

BY BERNADETTE DILLON

Eight regional Victorian community clubs have added to their clubs fundraising efforts with a share in $10,000 from the Greyhound Clubs Victoria (GCV) TAB Melbourne Cup Community Sweep last Friday at Sandown Park.

This was a state-wide initiative by the Sandown Greyhound Racing Club involving all 11 regional Victorian greyhound clubs. GRV, Sandown GRC and GCV came together to create the Community Clubs sweep for the TAB Melbourne Cup with $10,000 as a total prize pool. A total of 64 regional community clubs appreciated the opportunity to be associated with these elite greyhounds, by being randomly allocated a greyhound in the Melbourne Cup heats, for the chance to boost their 2020 fundraising efforts. Our state-wide finalists, from Rosedale to Warrnambool, have all been active on social media creating content that is fun and engaging. Clubs have thrown their full support behind their dogs, using the COVID restrictions to get creative when promoting their runner in the Cup. The community and sporting clubs in the sweep have given our regional greyhound racing clubs an opportunity to partner with their local community and strengthen the linkage to the world’s greatest greyhound race. GCV Chairman Adrian Scott said: “What a wonderful success the community sweep has been, with community clubs benefiting from the initiative with the distribution of $10,000 in prize money. It is sensational to see the spirit of regional clubs, as they are the heartbeat of many country towns and we will continue to support them in the future.” Mark Taylor from East Warrnambool Rotary Club, who drew the favourite and eventual runner-up Simon Told Helen said: “We were pleased to be selected for the Sweep as it strengthens our relationship with the Warrnambool GRC, who support us in many ways. Any fundraising in the current environment is always appreciated and the money will go straight back into our local community.” The following Clubs will share in the $10,000 prize pool: Anakie Football Netball Club Bacchus Marsh Golf Club Bendigo City Bulldogs Sports Club Dennington Pony Club East Warrnambool Rotary Club Ellinbank & District Football League Rosedale Kilmany Cricket Club Stratford Football Netball Club

Mepunga Blazer (L) and Mepunga Cruzer flanking Jeff Britton

Straws to go with Warrnambool Oaks and Derby winners

BY MOLLY HAINES

The stud dogs of Warrnambool – Mepunga Blazer, Mepunga Cruzer and Lightning Frank – will have straws donated to the winners of the Warrnambool Oaks and Derby which will be run on 21st and 28th of January. The winning connections of the Warrnambool Derby will take home the $7,500 first prize and a Lightning Frank straw. Lightning Frank, a winner of 22 races from 47 starts, is a son of Black Magic Opal and Kirabilli Abbie. Trained by Matthew Wright, Lightning Frank claimed the Group 1 Temlee and the Group 1 Silver Chief, both at The Meadows. Lightning Frank currently stands at stud for $1,100. But the winning connections of the Warrnambool Derby will receive one free. “The Club has been good to us, so we are really happy to be able to give back,” Wright said. “There are limited numbers on the ground but from all reports and from the pups I have had they are easy to break in and have really good natures.” The Warrnambool Oaks winner, which will take home $7,500, will also be the lucky recipient of a Mepunga Blazer and Mepunga Cruzer straw courtesy of local breeder and Hall of Fame inductee Barry Smith. Mepunga Blazer is known in the breeding ranks, currently standing with Jeff Britton in Anakie but you are forgiven if the name Mepunga Cruzer slipped through. Mepunga Cruzer was unbeaten in four career starts which includes an impressive 25.01sec effort over the 450m at Warrnambool. “Cruzer tore a triangle and a back muscle at a young age,” trainer and stud master Jeff Britton said. “He is on another come back but we are taking things slow.” “Cruzer is the fastest ‘breaker’ I have ever had. He went 17.25sec at Geelong and 29.87sec first look at The Meadows and he is faster early than Blazer.” Mepunga Blazer was a winner of 13 races from 25 starts which includes victory in the Group 1 Maturity Classic at The Meadows. Blazer ($2,200) and Cruzer ($1,100) are both sons of Barcia Bale and Mepunga Nicky, but from different litters.

Dates to remember

Warrnambool Oaks heat – 14 January Warrnambool Oaks final – 21 January Warrnambool Derby heats – 21 January Warrnambool Derby final – 28 January

Fire season planning

Summer has begun and it has been preceded by high rainfall and excellent vegetation growth. As the temperatures have warmed up through November, the vegetation is now beginning to start drying out. Participants need to be prepared for fire season. Now is the time to get your fire plans in order and avoid leaving things until the last minute: ☐ Prepare or review your fire plan, including evacuation options ☐ If you choose to take your greyhounds with you, you must contact your local Municipal Council now to find out which of their evacuation centres will allow dogs and add the address and details to your plan. ** Please do NOT rely on your local greyhound club to open in the event of an emergency. They may not be allowed to operate as an evacuation centre under local government laws. You MUST use the local council evacuation centres, and these need to be recorded in your EHMP. GRV will work with GCV to provide a list of registered evacuation centres. ☐ Remove doormats from around the house and kennel areas ☐ Move combustible outdoor furniture and other items from decks, up against, or under the home or your kennel area ☐ Move pot plants a few metres from the home or kennel area ☐ Double check that gas bottles are anchored securely with the relief valves pointing away from any flammable materials ☐ Mow your lawns or slash long grass in surrounding paddocks, yards, alongside slipping tracks etc

☐ On bigger properties, a clearing of about 10 metres of well-mown grass around your home and kennel block is advisable ☐ Walk around your home and remove piles of fine fuels such as leaves. It will probably be where embers will land ☐ Check your gutters to make sure leaves haven’t built up – check your home, kennels and other shedding ☐ Make sure you remove any fuels from around windows and doors. These are the most vulnerable parts of the home and kennel area ☐ Make sure trees on your property are healthy with no dead limbs and no vegetation underneath them ☐ Ensure your insurance is sufficient and current ☐ Prepare a greyhound evacuation kit, including, leads, muzzles, bedding, first aid kit, food and water bowls, 3 days of dry food and bottles of water. Make sure you include any medication your greyhound may need. Have your kit in a central location so it can be quickly loaded into your car ☐ If you have transport crates, ensure they are clean, in good working order and easy to access ☐ Practise your emergency evacuation plan at least once before the hot, dry weather arrives. More information can be found at https://greyhoundcare. grv.org.au/health-and-well-being/emergency-planning/ and a comprehensive check list can help you prepare https:// greyhoundcare.grv.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/ Animal_Welfare_Emergency_Planning_Checklist.pdf. The Department of Agriculture also has some excellent resources and advice on preparing your property and how to manage pets, horses and livestock during fires. Visit https://agriculture.vic.gov.au/livestock-and-animals/animalwelfare-victoria/pets-and-emergencies/planning-for-pets-inemergencies#h2-2

CEO Alan Clayton's report (continued)

You can find out more at: greyhoundcare.grv.org.au/hot-weather/#FireSeasonIsComing. The Department of Agriculture also has some excellent re-sources and advice on preparing your property and how to manage pets, horses and livestock during fires at: agriculture.vic.gov.au/livestock-and-animals/animal-welfare-victoria/pets-and-emergencies/planning-for-pets-in-emergencies#h2-2. And I also remind you that GRV’s recently updated Hot Weather and Transport Policies are now in force and you can and should find out more at: greyhoundcare.grv.org. au/policies-and-guidance. Another issue that participants should be aware of is that New Zealand is currently in the middle of a widespread and severe Kennel Cough outbreak. While there do not appear to be any Kennel Cough cases in Victoria at the moment, I ask you all to remain vigilant for any signs of Kennel Cough and report any cases to GRV. Any greyhounds that have not been vaccinated for Kennel Cough in the last 6-12 months should be re-vaccinated now.

On the subject of welfare, I am pleased to announce increased funding for the Greyhound Re-covery Initiative (GRI). All greyhounds with a GRI-eligible injury can now receive up to $2,000 towards off-track veterinary costs, up from $1,500. GRV has also introduced a new rehabilitation grant of up to $500 paid directly to the owner to support recovery and additional veterinary costs. Eligibility requirements for the GRI remain the same and the initial off-track GRI consultation is fully funded regardless of diagnosis and treatment options. And if you have greyhounds that you are planning to re-home soon, GAP has places still available in January and demand for these wonderful dogs remains strong.

Finally, I would like to restate how profoundly grateful I am for how Victorian greyhound racing rose to the occasion this year. To keep racing under the circumstances of 2020 was a real privi-lege for the code and one that was earned by how everyone worked together. I thank you all: participants and your families, clubs, Greyhound Clubs Victoria, all race day staff, from stewards and vets to kennel attendants and catchers. I also thank the thousands of volunteers at the clubs, the race meetings and at GAP. I wish you a safe, prosperous and happy holiday season and I’ll see you at the track next year.