17 minute read
2020 VICTORIAN GREYHOUND AWARDS
2020 National Coursing Awards
BY VICTORIA SHAW
The National Coursing Association of Victoria staged their annual awards at Sandown Park for the year 2020, on January 21. And, despite several turbulent times, coursing continues to deliver a vital component to the preparation of racing greyhounds, for both industry participants, and their animals alike.
As the broadcaster for several coursing meetings, including the 2020 Waterloo Cup at Lang Lang, I had the great fortune to witness many wonderful achievements during the season, and catch up with some of the delighted award winners as well.
The 2020 Coursing Award winners are:
2020 COURSING GREYHOUND OF THE YEAR – MAKING GRAVY (27points)
(Black Bear Lee x Bit Classy) Bred by Vicki Prest and trained by Adele Powell.
Making Gravy completed a dream debut season winning the 2020 Waterloo Cup. Beginning the season with a win in the Slip to Boxes at Longwood before his only defeat in a one-win limit event at Longwood. Once he saw the drag lure at Lang Lang, which according to Adele Powell “he was brought up with”, Making Gravy went to another level. Winning an All-Aged Event on August 16, before beating a very classy field to win the Waterloo Cup, two weeks later.
2020 COURSING BITCH OF THE YEAR – JULANA & GOTHAM PRINCESS (16 points)
In an even year for the girls, we saw a rare tie for Bitch of the Year between Julana and Gotham Princess. Julana (Dyna Double One x Chelabella) bred by Robyn Massina and trained by Dallas Masina won a Maiden and a One Win Limit event at Longwood before taking out the Karen Leek Memorial feature for veteran greyhounds on the Waterloo Cup weekend.
Gotham Princess (Walk Hard x Gotham Queen) began the year by winning the Larmax Trading Puppy Event at Lang Lang before continuing her love affair with Lang Lang by taking out the Sylvester Doyle Puppy Classic.
Making Gravy, coursing greyhound of the year.
2020 COURSING OWNER OF THE YEAR – SMKN SYNDICATE (14 points)
The SMKN Syndicate includes Sean and Melanie Lithgow, Kerryn Maynes, Denise Maynes and Nicole Riseley. In addition to having had the incredible experience of owning former star coursing bitch Gotham Queen, the syndicate have watched the run of success continue with the next generation. Gotham Queen’s litter to Walk Hard, produced this year’s Derby winner – Dream Wizard and the Sylvester Doyle Puppy Classic winner, Gotham Princess.
Upon accepting the award for the SMKN Syndicate, Kerryn Maynes said “It is an amazing award that is just indicative of the training methods of Sean and Melanie Lithgow.” “They have done so much, and they care for their dogs, so the members of the syndicate are very proud to receive this award.” “Particularly so in a year struck by Covid-19.” “The volunteers and the association have kept coursing going, in the most challenging circumstances and coursing is growing thanks to their efforts.” “I love coursing and am very proud to receive this award.” Kerryn Maynes on behalf of the SMKN Syndicate.
2020 TRAINER OF THE YEAR – JOHN BOSNICH & BRIAN FOTHERGILL (15 points)
Testimony to a being a very even year, another tie with Brian the “King of Coursing” as he is affectionately known, having a very strong year with Tigerfish Fozz and Barracuda Fozz leading the way as well as great assistance from Brian’s daughter – Sarah making sure all their greyhounds looked a ‘million dollars’!
John Bosnich, a relative newcomer to the sport, was extremely hard to beat at Lang Lang where his team raced primarily. Always perfectly prepared, John’s team included Rear View Mirror amongst others and will no doubt be a trainer to watch next year.
BEST FIRST YEAR COURSING TRAINER FOR 2020 – Aaron Campbell (6 points)
Aaron Campbell had an impressive debut season under the tutelage of Gerry O’Keeffe. Led by his eye-catching speedster – Zipping Atticus, Aaron’s team were super competitive with some great support from his 14-year-old daughter Elloise, and they will certainly be back coursing next season.
Aaron was truly moved by his award and added “Winning the award means a lot to me, and as well the recognition of having a bit of success.” “Getting some positive feedback is always a fantastic reward for effort.” “I am looking forward to the upcoming season and will bring back Zipping Atticus for another campaign at the Waterloo Cup if he is sound.” “I have also picked up a lovely dog from David Geall – Morticia.” “She is a little bit quirky in her circle track racing where she runs wide into the straight, so I think the format of coursing will benefit her a lot, she has a fair bit of pace early so I would anticipate her to be very competitive.”
2020 NOEL BANKS MEDALLIST – SUE DELANEY
The Coveted Noel Banks Medal is an award for outstanding and continuous volunteer service to the coursing industry and longstanding coursing devotee, Sue Delaney is truly a worthy recipient. Sue’s efforts have contributed to the continuation of coursing, not only in one of the most difficult years in Australian sport (thanks to the current pandemic), but also ensuring the sport’s ongoing future as well.
In summary, the 2020 Victorian greyhound coursing season was a roaring success, irrespective of unforeseen difficulties that continue to affect the entire world. Full credit and sincere thanks to the NCAV Executive and Committee, all volunteers, clubs and sponsors who continue to support and ensure greyhound coursing in our state, is more than the very foundation of our modern-day sport, but a key part of greyhound racing’s future as well.
As we look ahead to the next coursing season with great anticipation, some insightful comments below, for those of you that have not had the opportunity to experience the impact that coursing can have on racing greyhounds at any level. Sean Lithgow, trainer of Dream Wizard who has now contested two Group 2 events after the 2020 coursing season added “Coursing has been essential.” “Dream Wizard has always been very talented but lacked a little bit in his ability to focus.” “We have done some re-education work with Dream Wizard at Rising Star Kennels, as well as coursing which really switched him on.” “He did get used to being bumped around a little bit and that helped him build his confidence to run through a field and now he is matching it with the big guns, and he feels he is at home with them.” “We can really thank coursing in part for the improvement that we have seen in him.”
Staying king’s new ‘castle’
BY PETER QUILTY
The red carpet has been rolled out for distance monarch Tornado Tears in retirement! And he has moved into lodgings ‘fit for a staying king’.
The six-time Group 1 winner is receiving VIP treatment at his new ‘castle’ – the Doveton home of Jason and Penny Ireland. And he’s wasting no time ‘ruling the roost’!
Jason has been assisting Tornado Tears’ trainer, Rob Britton, handling greyhounds at Sandown race meetings on Thursday nights and Sundays and occasionally The Meadows on Saturday nights for around 10 years.
Tornado Tears is being treated like a ‘superhero’ but is not the only one living the ‘life of Riley’ at the Ireland residence.
“He’s settled in fantastic… He’s a part of the family and the three greyhounds are best mates,” Penny said. “As soon as he arrived, we let him go in the backyard and he explored everything. A little later we couldn’t find him, but there he was stretched out and sound asleep on our bed.” “They all have their own special biscuit container with dog treats and when you shake the tins, they all come running – and he’s usually the first now,” she added.
The Irelands daughter, Savannah, 15, just adores Tornado Tears.
Penny added that Tornado Tears has a pink tennis ball that he loves. “You throw it, he chases and brings it back, and drops it at your feet.”
And Penny says their new ‘star boarder’ follows her husband everywhere.
Simon Told Helen with trainer David Burnett and Brian Parsons of the Emma’s Boys Syndicate
‘Simon’ says it’s all over!
Superstar Simon Told Helen has retired to stud at Meticulous Lodge. He will stand for a starting price of $2,500 and be available shortly.
In an end to a stellar career, Simon Told Helen – dubbed “The Nose” due to his famous Roman proboscis – exits the racing arena a four-time Group 1 winner.
Trained by David Burnett, the contemporary sprinting champion started 47 times for 26 wins, 13 seconds and one third. His stakes total $916,441 – placing him eighth on Greyhound Clubs Australia’s ‘Top Prizemoney Earners’ list.
Simon Told Helen’s G1 ‘fab four’ are the Silver Chief, Perth Cup, Harrison-Dawson and Maturity Classic. And he also won the G2 Geelong Gold Cup – all of these in 2020.
And last year, he was runner-up in the G1 Topgun, G1 Melbourne Cup, G1 Dapto Megastar, G2 Warrnambool Cup and G3 Silver Bullet. He was also a finalist in the G1 Temlee and G1 Brisbane Cup.
In 2019, Simon Told Helen won the G2 Queensland Derby, G3 Cup Night Sprint and G3 Great Chase (defeating his illfated litter brother, Who Told Stevie). He was also runner-up in the G3 Silver Bullet. Revered for his explosive early and mid-race ‘catch-me-ifyou-can’ tactics, Simon Told Helen competed in 16 group race finals and walks away with eight victories – the most group race wins of any Barcia Bale offspring.
“He has been a super star on the track and to have achieved all of this before the age of three is an incredible feat,” Paul Westerveld said.
With many greyhound fans quick to compare him to the great Fernando Bale, the Westerveld and the Emma’s Boys Syndicate have every right to be quietly confident.
Owned and bred by the Emma’s Boys syndicate, managed by Brian Parsons, Simon Told Helen (Jan ’18 Barcia Bale x Who Told Lindylu) was also crowned the 2019/20 Australian Greyhound of the Year.
For more information go to www.meticulouslodge.com.au
‘Brownie’ calls it a day
They say, ‘all good things must come to an end’ and that is unfortunately the case with one of the Sale and District Greyhound Racing Clubs most loyal servants in Geoff Brown.
“Brownie” as he is affectionately known within the industry first walked out onto the Sale track in 1980 (about the same time as Blondie had the number one hit “Call Me” and you could grab a cheeseburger from McDonalds for 35 cents).
A much-respected person by participants due to his humble nature, his loyalty and reliability have been appreciated by all at his home track of Sale.
A gentleman to the end, and wanting to leave without fanfare, Brownie signed off for the last time on Sunday the 10th of January 2021.
So after more than 40 years, Sundays will now be spent with his family, his feet up, the possibility of a cold beer in hand and the races on the tv.
The club will have a race in his honour, and he will be given a small gift from the club, as he enjoys a meal with Mrs Brown at the club as part of the “no fanfare” he requested….so please don’t tell him!!
Work is underway for the new Traralgon track Geoff Brown signs off for the final time
Traralgon is underway
Work has commenced on the rebuild of the Traralgon Greyhound Racing Club following its closure in November 2018 due to drainage issues which compromised the track.
On January 12 GRV CEO Alan Clayton, TGRC president Don Haley and Manager Steve Clarke were joined on the work site by Mario Monacella of the Gippsland base Sure Constructions who were appointed the rebuild Civil contract.
We are nearing the completion of the Gippsland Festival of Racing, which is taking the racing world by storm, with the 2020/21 festival concluding at Cranbourne on Saturday 6 February for the Group 2 Cranbourne Cup.
The 2021/22 Gippsland Festival will be further strengthened with the inclusion of the Traralgon Cup.
Greyhound racing has long been a pivotal economic pillar for Gippsland, generating more than $40 million annually for the region.
The sport boasts more than 1000 participants (breeders/ owners/trainers), employs more than 350 people and has almost 200 volunteers throughout the Gippsland region.
The welfare of greyhounds and integrity of our sport is something GRV takes extremely seriously, and every participant has an important role to play in this space.
GRV would like to remind all Victorian participants that they are required to keep their FastTrack records up to date, particularly with regards to the location and status of any greyhound in their care.
You may be contacted by the Greyhound Racing Integrity Unit (GRIU) in relation to updating your records. Please note that there are Rules and Legislative requirements that must be adhered to. Although penalties could apply for noncompliance, it is the GRIU’s preference to educate and assist participants in meeting these requirements.
Please ensure your own contact details on FastTrack are up to date and includes a mobile phone and email address.
Here are a few helpful tips to ensure participants meet their requirements: ■ If a greyhound is in your care and custody you must submit a kennel return, choose the greyhound's activity and update any changes as they occur.
■ Prior to the burial of a deceased greyhound due to natural causes, accident or misadventure, the owner or person responsible for the greyhound must notify
GRV within two (2) working days. If the greyhound is taken to the Veterinarian a death certificate is required
■ Where a greyhound has been euthanased the owner or person responsible for the greyhound must notify
GRV within two (2) working days and in compliance with the euthanasia rules. A euthanasia certificate is reqired by GRV.
■ When a greyhound is retired as a pet, FastTrack must also be updated with regards to the greyhound’s status, as well as the name, phone number and address (and preferably email address as well) of the third-party owner, as well as the new owner’s alternate contact (name and phone number).
■ Owners must get involved in the rehoming process and not delegate responsibilities to trainers unless by documented agreement. All participants are encouraged to read the following Greyhounds Australasia Rules (GAR) and requirements under the ‘Code Of Practice for the Keeping of Racing Greyhounds’: ■ GAR 105 Notification of control and location of greyhound
■ GAR 106 Proper care (welfare) of greyhounds
■ GRV Local Rule 42.6 Rehoming and notice requirements
■ Code of Practice – 6.5.1 Retirement and rehoming of greyhounds Greyhounds Australasia Rules: http://www.galtd.org.au/sites/ default/files/forms-and-documents/GA%20Rules%201_0.pdf
GRV has a Participant Support Line to assist with general information, guidance or assistance. To contact the support line call 1300 144 360
HOW TO GUIDE: Updating your greyhound’s location and/ or activity on FastTrack (Kennel Return)
All Victorian greyhound racing participants are able to use the enhanced functions within the Kennel Return process to add or remove any greyhound (including un-named greyhounds) from their location (kennel) and/or update a greyhound’s activity. Owners are also able to update their greyhound’s interstate location and activity. To access any of the following functions, log into your FastTrack account and click on ‘My Dogs’.
Add a greyhound to your kennel for Training
1. Click on ‘Add Dog to Kennel’.
Add a greyhound to your kennel for any other activity (e.g., ‘Spelling’, ‘Rearing’, ‘Educating’ etc, but NOT Training)
1. Click on ‘Add Dog to Kennel’.
3. If named, enter the Name (otherwise leave blank), enter the Ear Brand and last four digits of the microchip number, and click ‘Validate’ to check the greyhound’s ID.
2. Click ‘Remove Dog From Kennel’.
Change a greyhound’s activity to Training
Dogs’ tab.
2. Select ‘Change Dog Activity’.
3. Select ‘Training’ from the drop-down menu, which will redirect you to the Add Dog to Kennel page.
Change a greyhound’s activity to any other activity (NOT Training)
Dogs’ tab.
2. Select ‘Change Dog Activity’.
Record an Interstate Location for your greyhound
2. Select ‘Update Interstate Location’.
4. Fill in the contact details for the interstate Person In
Charge of the greyhound and click ‘Submit’.
Once you have submitted a Kennel Return:
■ FastTrack will send automated emails to both the owner and participant (who may also be the owner) making the change; and
■ the location and/or activity changes will be updated on the greyhound’s ‘History’ page.
Emmett Dunne with former team-mate Kevin Bartlett
Emmett Dunne to receive AFL Life Membership
GRV Board member and Richmond Football Club director Emmett Dunne will be awarded life membership at the AFL season launch in March.
He will be honoured under the AFL’s ‘special services’ banner.
Emmett played 115 games for Richmond in the VFL between 1976 and 1983 and was a member of the Tigers’ 1980 premiership side.
Prior to joining the GRV Board, Mr Dunne served as a police officer for almost 40 years before retiring in 2015.
During his policing career, Emmett was the Assistant Commissioner of Professional Standards Command between 2010 and 2013, and the Assistant Commissioner of the East Policing Region until 2015.
Emmett also served as the Chair of the Australian New Zealand Policing Advisory Agency Integrity Forum and was awarded the Australia Police Medal in 2011 for his significant service including his contribution and involvement in the force’s Operational Safety and Tactics Training.
Emmett was appointed to the GRV Board in September 2016 where he and the board have overseen comprehensive reform and significant growth in the code.
Emmett Dunne’s football resume:
■ 129 games for Richmond and Footscray, 1976-85, kicking 63 goals.
■ Footscray Reserves Captain/Coach 1986
■ Springvale (VFA) player 1987
■ 1980 Premiership (Richmond)
■ 1987 VFA Premiership (Springvale)
■ Footscray Match Committee Chair 1985-86
■ Richmond Reserves Coach 1988-92
■ Richmond Ruck Coach 1993-95
■ VFL/AFL Tribunal member 1997-2016
■ Richmond FC Club Director and current Vice
President 2016 – current (Risk, Compliance and
Integrity Committee / Chair, History and Tradition
Committee)
