2023 John Gray Final – Review
The John Gray final of 2023 last Thursday night proved to be one of the more even finals in recent history with all eight qualifiers genuine chances of claiming the prestigious feature along with the $10,000 first prize. However it was the Paul Rehmann trained Razzle Darryl who was rewarded for his consistency with a terrific win in an exciting contest.
As the start was affected all eight greyhounds came out as one as they charged to the winning post on the first occasion. Accelerating from out wide on the track Show Me Bucks (box 7) for Tony Rasmussen and last years winner It’s Smudgy (box 8) for Clint Trengove both took the early lead followed by Howling Hoss for Shelley Trengove, Fifty Eight for Don Turner and the remainder of the field with only a few lengths from first to last as they sorted out their positions. Into the back straight and Show Me Bucks cleared the field to lead with Howling Hoss railing hard into second and It’s Smudgy back in third. Razzle Darryl after being in tight racing railed nicely to get to fourth along the inside while race favourite Gondola for Ben Rawlings found herself back last after an average beginning and tight racing on the first turn.
Down the back straight and Show Me Bucks was still in the lead followed by Howling Hoss, Razzle Darryl took the run to the inside of It’s Smudgy to move to third and chase out after the leaders while Gondola made a big move around the outside to move to fifth with the remainder of the field too far back to challenge. Off the back straight Show Me Bucks was being challenged by Howling Hoss around the outside and Razzle Darryl along the inside with It’s Smudgy also looking to follow Razzle Darryl through as Gondola closed in. Turning for home and Razzle Darryl hit the lead along the inside and looked to pinch a break from It’s Smudgy who ran to second also along the inside while Show Me Bucks and Howling Hoss battled out the minors. Gondola’s run looked to end as the top four cleared out in the home straight. Down to the finish line and Razzle Darryl proved to strong in the final stages going on to win by 2.25 lengths from It’s Smudgy while Howling Hoss claimed third spot out wide a further length away from Show Me Bucks.
The overall time of 31.32 for the 530m journey was slow in comparison to other times on the night highlighting the tight and competitive contest that the oncourse crowd had just witnessed.
Razzle Darryl is the son of Confident Rankin and Tyla Grace and is Owned by Becc Weinert, he has now won 13 races from his 49 starts including 18 minor placings and prizemoney just over $33,000.
This race was introduced in recognition of one of the icons of South Australian greyhound racing, John Gray and was the 28th running of this event. John was a great supporter of South Australian greyhound racing, and his family continues a hands-on association with the industry today. This race has been graciously supported over a long period by Vaun Gray the Adelaide Greyhound Racing Club.
Further Information:
Shaun Mathieson
(08) 8243 7100
Racing Manager