‘PUPPY LOVE’ AT LONGWOOD
29th July 2023, by Peter Quilty
The coursing season is heating up in advance of next month’s 150th Waterloo Cup, which will be conducted at Lang Lang.
This year’s National Coursing Association of Victoria coursing season is one of commemoration – a sesquicentennial anniversary (1873-2023) coinciding with Victorian greyhound racing’s 150th anniversary.
Some of the most promising ‘pups’ (male and female) contest Week 2 of the Victorian Derby and Victorian Oaks at Longwood on Sunday.
The events reached QF stage after Week 1, resulting in several trainers have multiple finalists. Both the Derby and Oaks winners will take home $4245, with the runners-up collecting $1485.
Dallas Massina launches a two-pronged challenge with litter brothers Swinton and Kinchela in the Derby. Swinton won the Sylvester Doyle Puppy Championship at Lang Lang on June 25.
James Shaw is also resting his hopes on litter brothers – Spectre Buster and Black Spectre – in the Derby.
Meanwhile, Mel and Sean Lithgow get the opportunity to pull off a memorable Derby-Oaks double.
Mel has Neverland King in the Derby, while Sean has Astute Queen and Mythical Queen – litter sisters of Neverland King – in the Oaks.
Ray Henness also has a dual chance in the Oaks courtesy of litter sisters Bee Queen and Go Far Star.
And partners Matt Lanigan and Emily Azzopardi have Unique Destiny and All On Merrett in the Derby.
Dallas Massina’s daughter, Chelsi Madigan, has Nayeli in the Oaks.
