Peita Duncan caught up with Gareth Hall on RSN Central this morning to provide an update on the latest greyhound racing news around COVID-19.
Month: April 2020
Good Deeds Day?
Retired Koroit bricklayer Garry Anders is building a foundation with his giveaway brood matron, Mepunga Lana. Anders was gifted Mepunga Lana by legendary Mepunga East greyhound breeder, Barry Smith. “We’ve built a close friendship… I talk to Barry every second day,” Anders said. Anders is hoping two of her progeny produce ‘good deeds’ at Warrnambool tonight. He has 97-start veteran Wilbur Deeds (Race 10, Box 6 – 7.37pm) and his younger half-sister Beaut Deeds (Race 11, Box 7 – 7.52pm) engaged on the program. “He (Wilbur Deeds) is my favourite…
A trainer’s advice on canine gastro
Australian greyhound racing has this year experienced one of the most contagious strains of canine gastroenteritis in memory. The virus has spread across much of the country, leading to race meetings being cancelled and the postponement of the Group 2 Horsham Cup. Experienced trainer Matthew Clark and wife Bianca live on seven acres in the Gippsland town of Briagolong, and their property is one of many kennels to have been affected. Since their property was struck by the virus in mid-March, Clark has since been approached by a number of…
2020 Nationals cancelled
Greyhound Clubs Australia (GCA) has made the decision to cancel this year’s Nationals. The uncertainty surrounding COVID-19 unfortunately has left no option but to abandon plans to host the event which would have been conducted at Wentworth Park in late August. “It will be the first time the Nationals haven’t been held since the concept’s commencement in 1965,” said GCA Chairman Les Bein. “Whilst we are very disappointed, the health and well-being of our participants is of utmost priority.” The cancellation follows on-going consultation and the unanimous agreement of host…
Selkrig’s ‘staggering’ plan
Devon Meadows owner-trainer Garry Selkrig has a ‘staggering’ plan with prolific winner Peter Galo. Selkrig is targeting Peter Galo towards the Victorian record of 64 wins – ironically held by his ‘uncle’, Stagger. When asked by GRV’s Molly Haines on RSN’s ‘Off The Leash’ if he’d tackle Stagger’s mark, Selkrig said: “I don’t think we’ll get there, but we can try… Who knows if I keep him up at Healesville and places like that.” And when asked what Peter Galo means to him, Selkrig said: “He’s a beauty, a pleasure…
Scatterbox’s ‘spark’ is back
Brookefield trainer Jeff Galea is confident his star sprinter Scatterbox will regain his ‘spark’ at Ballarat on Wednesday night. An auto-electrician by trade, Galea says Scatterbox has fully recovered from a bout of canine gastroenteritis which has kept him away from the racetrack for a couple of weeks. “His blood is back to 100 per cent and he’s jumping out of his skin,” Galea said. Galea added that Scatterbox figuratively “fell in a hole” at Ballarat at his most recent start, which was over 600 metres. Subsequent tests revealed he…
Easter message from GRV, GAP and all Victorian Clubs
Easter this year will be very different for us all. What is often a time for family gatherings and community occasions will, through necessity, be a more socially isolated and confined time. We’re all looking for light in these strange days, and to that end, Greyhound Racing Victoria and the Greyhound Adoption Program sincerely hope you and yours are safe, healthy and enjoy the Easter period as best you can. With a view to the more positive days ahead, when we can catch up with all we’ve missed, have a…
St Covet’s Spirit to improve for Bell run
Trainer Jason Coyle expects St Covet’s Spirit to show improvement in the James H B Carr Stakes. Despite St Covet’s Spirit being no match for the exciting Rubisaki in the P J Bell Stakes, her trainer Jason Coyle saw encouraging signs in the filly’s return at Randwick. And while Rubisaki is the short-priced favourite again for Saturday’s Group Three J H B Carr Stakes (1400m) at Randwick, Coyle is looking forward to seeing what improvement $41 chance St Covet’s Spirit can show. Coyle has thought highly enough of St Covet’s…
Cumani Declares War on Gold Heath
Trainer Matt Cumani has Declares War primed for the Gold Heath at Caulfield. Trainer Matt Cumani is convinced Declares War is in the right shape ahead of a target race at Caulfield. Declares War runs in Saturday’s Gold Heath (2000m) chasing a second win for Cumani and his first as a four-year-old. After a long three-year-old season culminating in a trip north for the Queensland Derby last winter, Declares War has been given a slow build-up to Saturday’s $200,000 race, a target assignment since he resumed training over summer. It…
Top Sydney hoops likely to winter at home
Hugh Bowman is unlikely to ride in Brisbane this winter because of coronavirus protocols. Two of Sydney’s leading jockeys admit they have considered entering quarantine after the autumn carnival in order to relocate to Brisbane for the revamped feature meetings. Hugh Bowman and Tim Clark, who have five Group One wins between them this autumn leading into the final day of carnival at Randwick on Saturday, would usually be starting to plan their winter schedule for Queensland. This year, because of coronavirus travel restrictions, their participation would require a 14-day…