Shima Shine crowned Victorian Greyhound of the Year BY GERARD GUTHRIE
Champion sprinter Shima Shine was crowned the Victorian Greyhound of the Year on 19 September, with the event held ‘virtually’ for the second consecutive year. A dual Group 1 winner, Shima Shine was adjudged the best performed Victorian greyhound by the Greyhound of the Year panel for performances for the 2021 Racing Year (1 July 2020 - 30 June 2021). Trained by Andrea Dailly, Shima Shine beat an array of top class greyhounds including Christo Bale, Hard Style Rico, Houdini Boy, Simon Told Helen, Tiggerlong Tonk and Zipping Rambo. “To tell you the truth, I’m quite speechless and I’m very emotional,” said David Gleeson, who bred and owns Shima Shine in conjunction with friend Bob Cummings. “It’s beyond words. It’s a thrill beyond a thrill. “To win something like this, not in my wildest dreams did I ever think he’d be in a position to get an award of this magnitude. “It would be without a doubt the biggest thrill I’ve ever had in racing. Just sensational. I’m so pleased and humbled by it.” Shima Shine was also anointed the Victorian Sprinter of the Year, while Houdini Boy was judged the Victorian Stayer of the Year. Below is a full list of all recipients from the 2021 Victorian Greyhound Awards.
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VICTORIAN GREYHOUND OF THE YEAR: SHIMA SHINE (ANDREA DAILLY) VICTORIAN SPRINTER OF THE YEAR: SHIMA SHINE (ANDREA DAILLY) VICTORIAN STAYER OF THE YEAR: HOUDINI BOY (KELVYN GREENOUGH) GRV HALL OF FAME: KAREN LEEK (BREEDER, REARER AND TRAINER) GRV HALL OF FAME: FANTA BALE (RACING GREYHOUND) GRV HALL OF FAME: STRAND BELLE (BREEDING GREYHOUND) KEN CARR MEDAL: ROB TESTA (RACE CALLER) NED BRYANT AWARD: KAYLA COTTRELL (TRAINER) GRV BOARD LEADERSHIP AWARD: CYNTHIA O’BRIEN (HEALESVILLE GA MANAGER) GRV CEO WELFARE AWARD: JODI RECHSTEINER (GREYHOUND FOSTER CARER) For a full wrap of the Victorian Greyhound Awards including video interviews, go to: https://www.grv.org.au/victoriangreyhound-awards/2020-2021/
