Victorian participants are thrilled with the announcement yesterday, by Greyhound Racing Victoria (GRV), that an additional $5.3m in stakes will be distributed in the current racing season, resulting in an industry record of $63m being distributed in 2021/22. The announcement follows a long drawn out battle between the governing body (GRV) and the Victorian Greyhound Owners Trainers & Breeders Association (GOTBA) in regard to a number of issues that concerning participants, especially stake money levels. Following strike action in late June, it was agreed for GRV and GOTBA to enter mediation in an attempt to satisfy the needs of participants. After five sessions, the mediation sessions initially looked headed for failure, but it seems the threat of further strike action resulted in the GRV Board holding a meeting on Friday morning and agreeing to the increase, much to the delight of the GOTBA and participants.
The GRV now plan to consult with the industry now to achieve a fair and equitable distribution of the prizemoney is made, so as many participants as possible benefit, thus ensuring people want to race their greyhounds in Victoria for the best prizemoney. This is a huge positive for the sport. A highlight of racing tonight will be the return to racing of duel Group 1 winning stayer, the Mark Gatt trained Stanley Road. In finishing a close second in the Sandown Cup back in May, Stanley Road injured a ligament in his hock, and the injury has kept him from the track since. Following two nice trials over the 500 metres, connections are confident that Stanley Road will return to the track as good as ever. Despite tonight’s race being over 590 metres, well below his preferred distance, from Box 1 a strong showing is expected. The quality of the field is very high, and we are selecting the David Smith trained Super Estrella to have the speed to lead all the way and hold Stanley Road off tonight. But never underestimate a champion, as proven over the years, they can often achieve the unexpected. What a great race it promises to be. Thursday night was a hugely successful night for us, selecting three winners, including our best of the night, and all three at odds above $3.50 in the early markets. Let us hope that hot form can continue tonight.
Meadows Race 12 No 5 Zippy Zenzo $7.00 at PlayUp – Continues to improve with racing. Excellent effort last start at Cranbourne, in a much stronger race than this, when she ran on well after being smothered up early. Awkward draw to contend with but she does have nice pace and it would not surprise to see her lead throughout.
Bulli Race 2 No 6 Zipping Lennox $1.90 at PlayUp – Lightly raced youngster, in the very strong Jason Mackay kennels, who will be well suited by the draw tonight as he used plenty of the track at his latest run at Maitland when finishing a close up third. New to Bulli but we not expect that to be a worry. He is our best of the night, base all your multi best arounds him.
Bulli Race 5 No 1 Nitroglycerine $2.90 at PlayUp – Member of a very good litter that includes Highly Explosive and I’m Explosive, and all the litter love an inside draw. Been racing very consistently from bad draws and will really appreciate the better draw tonight. Begins well and has the speed to lead all the way in this.
The Gardens Race 9 No 5 Mickey Doo $1.85 at PlayUp – Boy does this dog have a motor. His run last week was simply outstanding, storming home after finding early trouble. He is classes above this lot on ability, and for us, he just simply wins. Remember his name when racing gets back to Wentworth Park, as he will be ideally suited at that track.
Cannington Race 3 No 8 Hickory Monelli $3.80 at PlayUp – Strong all the way winner here two runs back, before finishing a close up second last week from Box 1. We think he will appreciate the wide draw tonight and go one better and collect the cash.
