2017 SHANE MCQUEEN REVIEW
Leading local trainer Ben Rawlings continued his golden run of feature race wins when Allen Oregon was able to lead all the way in the prestigious Shane McQueen Feature Final last night at Angle Park.
In front of a huge crowd at the venue a hot field lined up for the main 600m feature for the year with the race full of depth and quality.
The son of Turanza Bale and Ucme Typhoon was sent out one of the favourites along side Zipping Zeus for Tony Rasmussen and Purpose Driven for Cameron Butcher. As the boxes flew open Allen Oregon speared straight to the front from box 1 with his main challengers slow to begin. Disaaci gave chase along with Purpose Driven and Keroma Storm. Off the back straight Allen Oregon had opened up a race winning break and carried away from his rivals to win by 4 lengths in a handy 35.13. Zipping Zeus had no luck during the run and was an eye catching effort to get home hard for second just ahead of Purpose Driven who battled on solidly for third.
Allen Oregon has now won 19 races with 18 placings from 65 starts with career prizemoney just over $103,000. Over the 600m his record stands at 4 wins from his 5 starts.
The race is named in honour of Shane McQueen who was an excellent greyhound administrator starting his career in WA before becoming the CEO of GRSA until his untimely passing in 2003. On the presentation dais it was terrific to see Shane’s family represented by his wife Jane and his three sons who all have growing families of their own. Joining them were Ben’s family and owners along with members of the Gepps Cross Footballl Club who Ben has a strong association with who were there having their fundraiser on the night.
It all made for an outstanding evening.