With solid nominations (121) for our third meeting of our season we all headed off to Longwood. A few more puppies this week and hopefully we will fulfill our fields of 16 each for the Victorian Oaks and Victorian Derby to be conducted in June at Longwood. Trainers remember that preference will be given to greyhound puppies that have coursed and have coursing form.
There’s been a lot of talk as to why the fields for these two events has been reduced from 32 to 16. But the reality is that the numbers for our puppy events has been declining over several years for variety of reasons. This week we see 4 puppy events being conducted whereas in the last two meetings we have only managed to have 2 puppy events at each meeting.
A nice warm 8 degrees saw the first courses starting the day. But by lunch time the sun had decided to show its happy face and it had started to warm up to a balmy 13 degrees. With the wind on the blustery and lazy side, as it blew right through you, most kept themselves and their charges rugged up in the early part of the day. Funny there are those people who wear shorts for the whole damn year that make you wonder how they cope in the summer.
All up it was great coursing weather with some wonderful finals.
Event 1 – ROB CAMILLERI MAIDEN BITCH
Miss Rebel for trainer Mark Filomeno (Craigieburn) broke her maiden status with a win over Aunty Faye for trainer Angela Bigham (Wangaratta).
Event 2 – ELITE GREYHOUND SUPPLIES MAIDEN BITCH
West Two Affair for Martin Hanke (Locksley) was another to break their maiden status with a win over Sassy Spice for Christopher Williams (Wangaratta).
Event 3 – ROB BRITTAIN MAIDEN DOG
Caped Crusader for trainer Nicholas Johnston (Tooborac) who coursed solidly for the day defeated Gunai Kayden for trainer Wade Green (Parwan). Gunai Kayden is on the improve and will get the choccies quite soon.
Event 4 – J & K RACING – JOSH FORMOSE MAIDEN DOG
Our Regards for trainer Juia Creed (Graytown) defeated Is He Lee for trainer Troy Hammerstein (Ararat). Julia had two dogs entered and both made the finals. Is He Lee from the Hammerstein family is improving by the week. So it won’t be long before he salutes the judge.
Event 5 – COUNTRY MILE SYNDICATE – DALLAS MASSINA PUPPY BITCH
Splashed for trainer Matthew Clark (Briagolong) defeated Bonnie Blitz for trainer Cindy Morrissey (Junourtoun).
Event 6 – SHEPPARTON GREYHOUND RACING CLUB PUPPY BITCH
Scott Gnarly for trainer Emma Scott (Tatura)– the Birthday Girl, defeated her litter sister Scott Sigma for trainer Lachlan Scott (Tatura).
Event 7 – BENDIGO GREYHOUND RACING CLUB PUPPY DOG
Valletta Flash for trainer Murray Collyer (Coburg North) defeated One Word Answer trainer James Shaw (Northwood).
Event 8 – BURTON’S SUPA IGA PUPPY DOG
Midnight Thunder for trainer Lachlan Scott (Tatura) had the benefit of a walkover due to the withdrawal of Reconstruction for James Shaw (Northwood).
Event 9 – GARY BRETT MEMORIAL
Super Tone for trainer Murray Collyer (Coburg North) who had a solid coursing season last year defeated a newcomer in Myall Ray for trainer Matthew Clark (Briagolong). Myall Ray only recently broke his maiden status at Lang Lang after gaining a start as a reserve. Many of us who knew Gary, know what a great person he was and yes, we miss him still.
Event 10 – BENALLA CUP
The final of the Benalla Cup was contested by two greyhounds that contested the 2024 Waterloo Cup, so we knew we were in for a treat. And they didn’t disappoint.
Son of Cindy for trainer Colin Dalton (Coldstream) got to the line first to take out this feature event, with Go Go Jeff for trainer Gary Cowcher (Broadford) having to settle for the runner’s up prize. This was both Son of Cindy ‘s and Go Go Jeff’s first tilt for the season. Therefore, we hope to see these dogs back in a few eeks for the Werribee Cup on the 8th June.
Run of the Day was won by Chris Armstong ‘s Salty Snoop, when in a close finish in the 1st round going down to Raymond Morgan’s Argyle Rex. A heap up and a head down finish.
We head to Lang Lang next Sunday (25th May) for 4 a “Slips to Boxes’ events and another 6 events to make our full race card of 10 events. Must be grades 5,6,7 at Healesville and the winners and runners up of these 4 events will be heading to Healesville for the final the following Sunday 1st June over the 300-metre journey.
Finally, thank you to the Longwood Coursing Club and their band of volunteers who always conduct a successful meeting. Also, a big thank you to those that had dogs entered and made the day such a triumph.
