The Waterloo Cup will be decided for the 149th time on Sunday at Lang Lang as the 2022 coursing season draws to a close.
Up to seven greyhounds remain in the series after starting with 54 contenders last weekend.
Here’s a snapshot of the remaining contenders.
2022 WATERLOO CUP QUARTER FINALISTS
CRABBY YABBY
Trainer: James Shaw, Seymour
Record: 46 starts 11-6-7
Prizemoney: $25,800
Coursing events contested: 2
Coursing events won: 2
Comment: Undefeated on the coursing circuit and has shown plenty of versatility on the circle, winning races from 300m to 515m including a victory at Sandown Park. Comes up against her litter sister Nine Nine in the quarter finals.
NINE NINE
Trainer: James Shaw, Seymour
Record: 48 starts 5-11-6
Prizemoney: $19,245
Coursing events contested: 11
Coursing events won: 2
Comment: The most experienced courser among the quarter finalists and she’ll meet her more established litter sister, Crabby Yabby early on Sunday morning. Has a win at The Meadows to her credit in the solid time of 30.25sec.
MADAM MAXIMUS
Trainer: Julia Creed, Werribee
Record: 41 starts 8-8-5
Coursing events contested: 3
Coursing events won: 2
Comment: The daughter of Orson Allen won the prestigious Bert Clark Memorial at Longwood and was runner-up in the Benalla Cup at Lang Lang. Also has several ‘500m’ wins at Sandown and The Meadows to her name.
MASTER OGILVIE
Trainer: James Shaw, Seymour
Race record: 27 starts 4-12-3
Prizemoney: $20,380
Coursing events contested: 2
Coursing events won: 2
Comment: Never raced beyond 450m on the circle but has a super competitive record being placed in 70 per cent of his starts. Undefeated on the coursing circuit and is one of three quarter finalists for James Shaw.
ROTHWELL CHUNK
Trainer: Murray Collyer, Coburg East
Race record: 19 starts 6-2-4
Prizemoney: $12,700
Coursing events contested: 6
Coursing events won: 3
Comment: Has set the coursing circuit alight with wins in sought-after events the Victoria Derby and Sylvester Doyle Puppy Championship. Strong type on the circle with a 545m win at Ballarat to his credit. Appears set for an ‘accidental’ bye in the quarter finals given the likely scratching of Big Opal Rocks but, either way, is still required to run on Sunday morning prior to the semis. Team Collyer has won the Waterloo Cup before.
BIG OPAL ROCKS
Trainer: Mario Briganti, Devon Meadows
Race record: 21 starts 9-3-0
Prizemoney: $61,244
Coursing events contested: 0
Comment: Unlikely starter after pulling up lame on Day 1 of the Waterloo Cup last Sunday, where he was most impressive clocking the fastest times of the day. Multiple city winner and a recent Group 1 finalist who boasts a slashing 29.02sec PB at Sandown Park.
HE’S NO SLOUCH
Trainer: Peter Craig
Race record: 31 starts 9-6-8
Prizemoney: $46,050
Coursing events contested: 2
Coursing events won: 2
Comment: Contested last month’s Group 1 Maturity Classic at The Meadows, won by his champion litter sister Wow She’s Fast, a winner of more than $1 million in stakes. Won coursing’s 2022 Werribee Cup at Lang Lang. Receives a ‘bye’ in the quarter finals but is still required to run on Sunday morning before progressing to the semis.
WATERLOO CUP DAY 2 – Sunday 28 August
Quarter finals
Crabby Yabby (James Shaw, Seymour) v Nine Nine (James Shaw, Seymour)
Madam Maximus (Julia Creed, Werribee) v Master Ogilvie (James Shaw, Seymour)
Rothwell Chunk (Murray Collyer, Coburg East) v *Big Opal Rocks (Mario Briganti, Devon Meadows)
He’s No Slouch (Peter Craig, Langwarrin) v Bye
*Big Opal Rocks has been stood down for 10 days because of injury, however trainer Mario Briganti has until Saturday to have his greyhound re-vetted with a view to potentially taking its place in the quarter finals. If not, Rothwell Chunk will run an ‘accidental’ Bye. He’s No Slouch has a ‘natural’ Bye. Greyhounds with any sort of Bye are required to run solo.
WATERLOO CUP PRIZE MONEY
Winner $15,000
Runner Up $4,500
Defeated Semi Finalists $2,000
Defeated Quarter Finalists $1,000
ABOUT COURSING
The coursing season takes place throughout the winter months.
It takes a special type of greyhound to win a coursing event, with competitors required to race three times across a day up a 300 metre straight track in a knockout competition.
However, the Waterloo Cup takes coursing to another level again, with greyhounds needing to win six courses across two days (consecutive Sundays) to claim the ultimate prize.
This requires a combination of speed, stamina, serious chasing ability and a calm temperament to ensure sufficient recovery in between runs.
And don’t underestimate the role of the trainer in all of this, as they need to keep their greyhounds comfortable and pampered while also striking the right balance of food and electrolytes before and after each run.
Sunday’s Waterloo Cup action kicks off at 9.30am, with a bookmaker on course taking bets on the event as well as consolation races, the Waterloo Plate and Waterloo Purse, throughout the day.
