Author: Editor BOAY

A brutally honest Dave Knocker is under no illusion as to the task confronting Robbie Rotten when he clashes with record-breaking heat winner Paua Of Buddy in Friday afternoon’s inaugural GRNSW Southern Stars Final (440m) at Goulburn. Country cups heroes Robbie Rotten, trained by Knocker’s 20-year-old daughter Kayla Cottrell, and Paua Of Buddy booked their places in the $50,000 to-the-winner Southern Stars decider at Wagga last Friday night. Robbie Rotten was first to qualify, clocking 22.82sec over the 400m course, before Paua Of Buddy, currently based with Wagga owner/breeder David…

Last Sunday’s racing provided terrific excitement and a satisfying winning double for greyhound trainers and partners, Claire Allen and Brett Hare (pictured with Slingshot Reaper). Their first victory of the day took place at Healesville, with Slingshot Reaper  (Unlawful Entry x Paw Sa Prize) winning his 100th start in an extremely competitive Free For All (300m). In fact, less than 3L separated the entire field at the finish. Then, almost four and a half hours later, Showtime Boomer (Blazin’ Bomber x Zipping Emma) clocked 29.75sec in a Grade 5 (515m) at…

The spotlight of the greyhound racing world will be on Victoria’s two premier tracks, Sandown Park and The Meadows in November and December this year for a reshaped festival, showcased by five feature Saturday nights of premium racing and entertainment, where a total of over $4.1 million will be won. The 67th running of the most coveted race in Australian greyhound racing, the Group 1 Melbourne Cup at Sandown Park, will reach new heights in 2022, headlining a revamped racing program, prizemoney increases and innovations to present a series of…

Diminutive sprinter Surprising – which tips the scales at 29kg ‘soaking wet’ – has displayed ‘courage under fire’ in returning to the racetrack. But it’s hardly surprising to her Longwarry trainer, Nicole Lund. Back on May 24, Surprising (Nov ’19 Worm Burner x Rapanui Surprise) – bred and owned by Carole Brown of Cardinia – sustained a laceration to the saphenous vein in her right hind leg when inadvertently galloped on from behind during a race at Sandown Park. Not to be deterred, and as a measure of her fearlessness,…

Longwood Coursing Club played host to Week 1 of the Sylvester Doyle Puppy Championship, Ray Boundy Memorial and Strathbogie Cup on Sunday. Like tennis, with four Grand Slams, coursing has its equivalent with four Classics –Victorian Derby, Victorian Oaks, Sylvester Doyle Puppy Championship and, of course, Waterloo Cup. We’ve already identified the best young male and young female in the Derby and Oaks, but the Sylvester Doyle Puppy Championship brings the ‘boys’ and ‘girls’ together to identify this season’s best puppy. It’s now down to the last five remaining competitors…

There was no place like home for Paua Of Buddy last Friday night, when the reigning Bendigo Cup champion made a sensational return to Wagga, smashing the 400m track record in a heat of the inaugural Southern Stars series. Making his first appearance since March, Paua To Buddy led a Victorian clean-sweep of the two Wagga heats, with another country cup hero in Warragul Cup victor Robbie Rotten, trained by Kayla Cottrell, also successful. Paua Of Buddy (Box 4) and Robbie Rotten (Box 1) will now fly the Victorian flag…

Independent report reveals Victorian Racing Industry contributes $4.7 billion to state economy The Victorian Racing Industry (VRI) generates nearly $4.7 billion of value to the Victorian economy and supports 147,952 jobs and participants according to an independent report released today. The Size and Scope of the Victorian Racing Industry incorporates the three codes of racing – thoroughbred, harness and greyhound – and was developed by leading strategic consulting business IER. The study represents an update to the previous report completed in 2018. It reveals, as an economic contributor, the VRI:…

The aura of invincibility surrounding Wow She’s Fast continued to grow on Saturday night when the Victorian superstar led all-the-way in the $149,875 Group 1 KCR Pet Transport Maturity Classic Final (525m) at The Meadows. “It’s pretty special,” said Jackie Greenough, who trains Wow She’s Fast in partnership with husband Kel. “It’s really special to have a dog like this. We’ve had good dogs over the years but she’s one out of the box. “When she finds the front like that, I really try to stop myself from thinking it’s…

Highly underrated stayer Drako Bale was ‘breathing fire’ in tonight’s $37,250 Group 3 KCR Pet Transport Fireball final (730m) at The Meadows. Drako translates as “dragon” in Greek mythology, but a $25,000 first prize was reality for trainer Andrea Dailly . (She finished third with Zipping Ticket in last year’s final.) Ironically, Drako Bale ($12.10) slayed his rivals with a sizzling frontrunning performance from box six. He defeated a gallant Jarick Bale ($3.50) by 2.9L, with Play Nice ($8.90) a further 0.5L away third in 43.07sec. Fastest heat winner Rohan Bale…

Emerging young Victorian trainer Emily Azzopardi celebrated her first feature victory in style on Thursday night in Adelaide, preparing the quinella in the Champion Puppy final (530m). A former jockey and mother to 22-month old Noah, 23-year-old Azzopardi had three finalists in the age-restricted feature, littermates Angus Keeping (Box 1), Melissa Keeping (Box 4), and Monique Keeping (Box 5). Courtesy of an impressive 30.71sec heat victory and drawing the rails, Angus Keeping started a warm $2.25 favourite, with Monique Keeping at $5.50 and Melissa Keeping the outsider of the Azzopardi…