Andrew Copley
SALE Greyhound Racing Club has launched a new race called the Horizon, carrying first prize money of $25,000.
Heats of this inaugural 440 metre event will be held on Sunday, May 30, with the final a week later. Sale GRC operations manager Rob Popplestone said the club was confident the Horizon will quickly grow in stature.
“We have high hopes that, in the years ahead, the Horizon at Sale will qualify for group three status,” he said.
“The Sale GRC already prides itself on its promotion, planning and execution of its main feature event, the Sale Cup, which we host on Boxing Day each year and which is Australian greyhound racing’s only group one event held at a country venue.
“The Sale Cup has proven itself to be an attractive event to a broad demographic, and invites crowds in excess of 5000, with bands, DJs, fashion, food and wine all complimenting the quality of greyhounds on show striving for group one glory.
“We endeavour to build on the Horizon at Sale with a special awards night to be introduced in 2022, which will include a range of awards recognising those that contribute to the club and the industry. It will also recognise local businesses that support our industry and community and acknowledge those who go above and beyond.”
YINNAR South trainer Ben Joske claimed a hat-trick of winners during Wednesday’s Sale greyhounds meeting.
After winning in Geelong on Friday, Impending won race five, a 520m grade five, by three lengths from Ashby Mayhem, trained by Lyn Smith at Nambrok.
Whistling Bullet then won the race six 440m grade five for Joske. He’s A Minstrel, trained by Corey Fulford at Bundalaguah, was battling for the lead, but was passed late to finish third.
Joske’s Two Phones was an all the way winner in race seven, over 520m.
Five races were won by locally-trained dogs, beginning with the race one 440m maiden, which was taken out by Miers, trained by Smith, ahead of Diamond And Rust, trained by Susan Northway at Heyfield.
The race two 440m maiden was won by Lonesome Bee, trained by Kathleen Fogarty at Heyfield, with Up The Dale second for Fulford.
Shell Star Keats, trained by Wayne Boreland at Seaspray, won race three, the 440m grade seven, before Mac Rooster won race four, a 440m mixed grade six and seven, for Ronald Winter at Denison.
Following a second placing in Sale on Sunday night, William Rose, trained by Sharon-Lee Chignell at Rosedale, passed favourite Zambora Lou at the post to win race eight, the 440m free for all.
Greyhound racing will continue in Sale on Sunday night, with the first of 12 races scheduled for 5.34pm.
AT Cranbourne on Wednesday night, Double Dipping, trained by Des Douch at Maffra, won the 520m restricted win final, taking the lead in the final stages.
Lemonade Kid won a 311m grade four for Jenny Gieschen at Valencia Creek, while Gung Ho Hunter won a heat of the 311m maiden series for Matt Clark at Briagolong.
ON Tuesday night at Warragul, Tribal, trained by Kaylah Thornurn at Gormandale, won a 460m mixed grade four and five in the final lunge to the post.
Courageous Swan, trained in Maffra by Des Douch, won a 460m mixed grade six and seven by six lengths from Earn The Blur, trained by Lyn Smith. Earlier, How High Austin won a 400m maiden for Smith.
Massimo, trained by Dawn Johnston at Boisdale, and Dr Lynch, trained by Ronald Winter at Denison, won heats of the 400m grade five event.
ASTON Grenache, trained by Owen McGovern at Rosedale, won a 385m grade five on Monday night in Shepparton. Aston Grenache won by a head from Tate’s Girl, with result between the pair after they raced to the lead early. – David Braithwaite