True Detective is the 2019-20 Victorian Stayer of the Year.
Trained by Jeff Britton at Anakie, True Detective ‘laid down the law’ – predominantly with thrilling frontrunning prowess – to win 22 races from 38 starts during the racing season (July 1 – June 30).
He contested eight group race finals, winning four: G1 Hume Cup (600m) – The Meadows; G2 Summer Distance Plate (720m) – Wentworth Park; Listed Gold Cup (710m) – Albion Park; Listed Sky Racing Stayers (715m) – Sandown.
True Detective was also runner-up in both the G1 Fanta Bale Super Stayers (725m) at The Meadows and G1 Sandown Cup (715m), fourth in the G1 Zoom Top (725m) at The Meadows and third in the G3 Speed Star (595m) at Sandown.
Owned by the Kramerica syndicate, managed by greyhound media identity George Farrugia, True Detective (Aug ’17 Black Magic Opal x Little Grey) established a stunning record from Box 1 during the racing year. He won eight races from 11 starts in the ‘red’ alley.
“He’s been a big thrill this dog, we think he deserves it,” an elated Farrugia said. “He’s made us proud time and time again and to collect this award is awesome. He’s been challenged in races and been able to take on all newcomers, we’re just so really proud of him.”
Farrugia added that the patience Britton and his partner Angela Langton showed in building him up over 700 metres was fantastic.
“I think there were some people that were saying, ‘I don’t think this dog will ever get 700’. His first couple of runs over it he was getting really tired but that’s just a testament to Jeff and Angela, their training regime. Jeff always had confidence that he would run it out and it’s been an unbelievable ride since.”
And Farrugia quipped: “At Wentworth Park, when he won the Summer Plate, I gave him (Jeff) a big kiss on that big bald head and we’ve gone on in leaps and bounds ever since. We’ve become mates since that kiss, that’s for sure.”
True Detective took out the prestigious award from (in no particular order) Tornado Tears and Just Terms.
Trained by Rob Britton (Jeff’s brother), Tornado Tears started 19 times for seven wins during 2019-20.
Tornado Tears competed in seven group race finals, winning three: G1 Bold Trease (715m) and G3 Speed Star (715m) – both at Sandown; Listed The Fireball (725m) – The Meadows. He was also runner-up in the G1 National Distance Championship (715m) at Cannington.
Trained by Anthony Azzopardi, Just Terms won 14 races from 35 starts during the racing season.
Just Terms contested nine group race finals, winning two: G1 Zoom Top (725m) – The Meadows; G3 Christmas Cheer (720m) – Wentworth Park. She was also third in both the G1 Fanta Bale Super Stayers and G1 Bold Trease.
CRITERIA GUIDELINES
Greyhound Racing Victoria (GRV) awards ‘Greyhound of the Year’ in three categories (Sprinter, Stayer and Greyhound of the Year [GOTY]) in recognition of outstanding performances by eligible greyhounds during the racing year (1 July to 30 June).
GRV also awards Sprinter of the Year for the best eligible greyhound(s) based on performances in races conducted over less than 570 metres during the racing year and Stayer of the Year, which recognises the best eligible greyhound(s) based on their performances in races conducted over 570 metres or more during the racing year.
The GOTY Awards are open to any greyhound, including International or interstate owned or bred greyhounds, that have been domiciled in the State of Victoria for a period of not less than four consecutive calendar months during the year of the award.
In selecting a greyhound for a GOTY Award, the GOTY voting panel will consider the greyhound’s racing performances on Australian racetracks only for the year.
