Angle Park Preview - 25th February 2021
By The Shadow
Tonight’s ten event programme here at headquarters we need to be like a greyhound, back a few winners early and hopefully hang on. We have two 600m events on the card, a 731m and three heats of the 2021 SA Launching Pad series races (3 to 5), don’t forget all races are Trifecta and First Four events.
Race 1 - We kick start the night with a 600m and an incredibly open one at that, we will go with Stanley Keeping who won two starts back at Gawler in good fashion, then flew home here Monday for 2nd over the sprint, he is racing well and should prove hard to beat. Hold On has won his past two at Gawler over the sprint, he has been placed in all three runs this trip and is the danger. Box Up 2.4.7.8
Race 2 - Air Marshall has been in terrific form of late winning his last three at Gawler all in good times, he handles a wide draw and looks one of the main chances here. Oakvale Blue showed plenty of cheek when finishing 2nd behind Coorong Lucy here last Thursday in quick time, he can be hit and miss early but will be running on. Woodside Zulu is resuming from a lengthy break, he will be finding the line strongly along with Yarindale. Box Up 1.4.5.7
Race 3 - Its extremely hard to go past Gemtree Maximus in this, the classy performer has only had the six career starts and has notched up four wins already all-in good times, he has the pace to lead and win but will be at skinny odds. Victa Reid can run into the placings along with litter mate Victa Emma. 2 from 1.4.6 boxed.
Race 4 - Rosie Red continued her good form with a nice win here last Thursday from this draw in 29.73, she has good box speed and looks the one to catch again on recent efforts. Pyrotechnic has been racing well at Gawler and looks a chance for the First Four along with Sutton Sandy, add the newcomer Sunset Hellfire who has handy WA form. Box Up 1.2.4.8
Race 5 - The Rasmussen kennel look to have a strong hand in this with Victa Grosso and Victa Kurt, both have been racing well and are certainly amongst the main chances here. Boundin Baby is another who is in the mix, she has terrific short course form and from the rails draw will give plenty of cheek. Box Up 1.4.5.7.
Race 6 - Tidelands missed the start here last week, he worked hard into the back before running 4th only beaten by a length, he was a Maiden winner in 30.15 at his previous run and will be hard to beat with early luck. Little Genius and Burning Nitro both have early dash and can figure in the First Four. Box Up 1.3.8.10
Race 7 - This is certainly a wide-open affair, Runaway Lad won here two starts back in 30.21 from this draw then finished a creditable 4th here after striking early trouble, he has early pace and will give this a fair shake. Mega Dossa showed improvement here last week, he is well drawn tonight and can add a bit of value to the Trifecta. No Knowledge and Gary’s Miracle both have drawn off the track but still can pinch a place with luck. Box Up 1.4.7.8
Race 8 - I have tipped Jabari at his past two starts, he can repay me tonight with a win from a good draw, the main dangers look to be Classic McLaren who won here five runs back in 29.91 and Dissociative who has been in the money at his last five runs and is drawn for a bold showing. Blister will find this more to his liking but needs to improve his box manners. Box Up 2.3.5.8
Race 9 - This is the distance affair of the night and we will stick with Miss Bellawood who can hopefully lead here and pinch this, she has been racing well of late and will be hard to beat. Springvale Anna charged home last week to win here in similar company, she is another who has the form on the board. Raylene Bale can’t be left out either can Springvale Shine. Box Up 1.2.4.6
Race 10 - Sell More Houses can send us home on a winning note, he has been in fine form of late being placed here at his two SA runs, he certainly gets his chance to break through in this. Departure Gate and Stareena look good chances for the minors. Box Up 1.4.5.8
Best Bets
Race 1, No: 7 - Stanley Keeping
Race 6, No: 3 - Tidelands
Best Each-Way
Race 5, No: 5 - Victa Kurt
GRSA TEXT SERVICE
Participants are reminded, if they have not already done so, to provide GRSA with your mobile phone number to enable text messages to be sent updating you with the most current information in the industry.
KENNEL CAPERS ONCE A MONTH
The monthly Kennel Capers for February was released a few weeks ago so make sure you grab yourself a copy.
Remember to keep up to date with weekly updates and media releases using the GRSA website at www.grsa.com.au.
The Boy from the Bush gives his selections for tonight’s super night of racing at Angle Park.
Best Bets: Race 2, No. 7 - Air Marshall
Each-Way: Race 8, No. 5 - Blister
Roughie: Race 1, No. 5 - Mai Tai Focus
ANGLE PARK THURSDAY
Next weeks Angle Park meeting features –
$4,715 2021 SA Launching Pad Final – 515m (SA Heats 25/2. Winner of Final qualifies for $432,000 Launching Pad series at Sandown so long as remains eligible - 1-6 wins and 30 starts with Heats 18/3, Semis 25/3, $150,000 to the winner Final 1/4. If local winner not eligible then entry will go to next eligible greyhound from Final)
$4,715 Mixed Masters – 515m (For greyhounds 3¾yo or over at time of nom - must have raced previous 6 months or qualy trialled in that time. All grades eligible. N/P)
$2,255 Open Maiden – 515m
$3,880 Mixed – 600m
$5,120 FFA – 731m
Nominations close Monday 1st March with GRSA at 9.00am.
LOCAL NEWS
SA LAUNCHING PAD HEATS TONIGHT
We have three heats tonight of the SA Launching Pad series worth $3,280 which will be Non Penalty events and features some of the most exciting young chasers in the state.
The first heat features short priced favourite Gemtree Maximus for Paul Rehmann who will be shooting for his 5th win in 7 starts and looks very hard to beat which will be race 3 on the program due to start at 7.19pm local time. The second heat (race 4 @ 7.40pm) also see’s a short priced favourite in Rosie Red for Bosco Stamenkovic who has been in great form including a slick win last week after her great second in the SA St Leger final. The final heat (race 5 @ 7.58pm) is the most open with Victa Grosso and Victa Kurt for the Rasmussens doing battle with Silver Stone for Ray Murray and Time Wise for Bosco Stamenkovic.
The first two from each heat plus the two fastest thirds will qualify for next weeks final to be run on Thursday, 4th March over the 515m with prizemoney of $4,715 and will also be Non Penalty.
The Box Draw for next weeks final will take place oncourse tonight after the running of race 6.
The winner of the Final will take their spot in the Launching Pad Heats two weeks later, however, if the winner for whatever reason cannot take their spot then the next qualified greyhound will be given that spot.
The Heats at Sandown will be run over the 515m on Thursday, 18th March with the Semi-Finals on Thursday, 25th March and the $150,000 to the winner Final run on Thursday, 1st April.
SIR TRUCULENT MAKES GROUP 1 FANTA BALE SUPER STAYERS ON SATURDAY NIGHT
Reigning SA Greyhound of the Year, Sir Truculent did a terrific job last week to run third in the Group 1 Fanta Bale Super Stayers heats and qualify for Saturday night’s final.
He has been racing in terrific form however will need a touch of luck in the final which has drawn together an outstanding field. He has drawn box 6 in the final to be run as race 8 at 8.42pm SA time.
Joining him in the final will be Run Like Jess who ran second in the same heat as the “Truc”and showed he will be hard to beat with his early speed. Owned by SA participants Tim Aloisi and Matt Lehman along with Victorian’s Deb Coleman and Rob Camilleri he has drawn box 2 in the final. We wish them safe travels on Saturday night.
The Group 1 Australian Cup Final which features WA star Tommy Shelby will be race 9 on Saturday night.
GAWLER BREEDERS 2021 HEATS ON SUNDAY AT GAWLER
The first part of the Breeders 2021 series kicks off on Sunday at Gawler with two heats over the 400m.
The series features impressive types Far More Crazy, Victa Mikey and Hukanui Lady in heat 1 (race 7 @ 7.15pm) and Crazy Diva, Victa Buzz and Burn The Box in heat 2 (race 8 @ 7.39pm).
The first four from each heat qualifys for next Sundays $3,000 Final, 7th March at Gawler. This series is for SA Bred greyhounds paid up for Breeders 2021.
MOUNT GAMBIER 2021 SUMMER CLASSIC ON SUNDAY
The heats for this Sunday’s 2021 Summer Classic resulted in some great racing with only a length separating the three winners – Justice For All, Collateral and Under Study and a great field has been assembled. On times, Justice For All, owned and trained at Meningie by Tim Richards, is the fastest dog in the race and looks well placed drawn in box 1.
Also looking well drawn out wide is his litter brother Crush Your Enemy, raced in the same interests, who handled box 8 without too many worries in his heat when running second to Collateral. Flying the flag for the locals is Compton trainer Tracie Price who has two runners in the final with Collateral and Boombox Hammer. Collateral, like Justice For All, is chasing his fourth consecutive win after experiencing no difficulties last week when stepping up to 512 metres for the first time. Maiden performer Boombox Hammer put in a terrific run last week when running Justice For All to 1½ lengths and has drawn well in box two. The Summer Classic final is this Sunday and is race 8 on the program with a great day racing kicking off at 12:07pm at Tara Raceway.
The first Mount Gambier Summer Classic, which is for greyhound dogs and bitches whelped on or after January 1 two years prior to the running of the event, was conducted at Tara Raceway in 2015 when won by Cryer’s Ricky. Winners to follow have been Menzel Boys, Hutch, Galactic Panther, Banjo Bad Boy and Sweet On Me.
SATURDAY MORNING MEETINGS ONCE A FORTNIGHT
The next meeting will be on Saturday, 6th March which will be a Timed Graded Meeting - “Worst to Best” rating. Greyhounds will be graded into 3 categories - Maidens, 1-4 wins and 5 or more wins. Specific grades of greyhounds are not considered except for Maidens. Races are non-penalty with Pathway Prizemoney. Reserves will be determined by the Grader. There will be no guarding. Refer to “Time Based Grading” published conditions.
This meeting will also feature $815 Six Fastest Forward (1-4 wins) Heats – 388m (Maximum 4 Heats - $1,230 Final Monday 15th March. These Heats will be selected from Worst to Best of this category. Final field will be a 6-dog field plus reserves, comprising of the greyhounds running the fastest times in the Heats, regardless of their finishing position in those heats)
• Nominations close Tuesday, 2nd March at 9.00am.
2021 MURRAY BRIDGE CUP HEATS – NOMINATIONS CLOSE ON TUESDAY
The Murray Bridge Cup series will kick of next Friday with the $2,000 Heats of the 2021 Daish Irrigation & Fodder Murray Bridge Cup over the 455m where a terrific line up of sprinters is expected.
The final will be run on Sunday, 14th March and is a listed event which will carry $14,275 in total prizemoney.
On Final night the Club will not only feature the $14,275 Daish Irrigation & Fodder Murray Bridge Cup Final it will also feature a $3,000 Consolation of the Cup which trainers will need to renominate for, a $4,000 Special Event over the 530m (N/P), a $3,000 Special Event over the 395m (N/P).
• Nominations for the Heats close with GRSA at 9.00am on Tuesday, 2nd March.
MURRAY BRIDGE CUP AND MOUNT GAMBIER CUPS IN MARCH/APRIL WITH BIG BONUSES
It will be a big couple of months of racing in March and April for the Murray Bridge and Mount Gambier Clubs when they conduct their Cup meetings.
The Murray Bridge Cup Heats will be conducted on Friday, 5th March with the $14,275 (listed event) Final to be run on Sunday night, 14th March.
The Mount Gambier Cup Heats have been scheduled for Sunday, 11th April with the $14,275 (listed event) Final on Sunday, 18th April.
GRSA will continue with bonuses to link both of these events, which will include a $5,000 bonus if the same dog can win both the Murray Bridge Cup and Mount Gambier Cup and a $5,000 trainer bonus if the same trainer can win both Cups (SA or Interstate or different dogs).
SEEKING GRADING REVIEW PANEL MEMBERS – APPLICATIONS CLOSE TOMORROW
With the 2 year term for some members of the Grading Review Panel expiring GRSA is now seeking applications from Industry persons who are interested in joining the Panel.
The Grading Review Panel looks at all things grading in South Australia and how rules and policies can provide a fair and balanced system. Members work in a group environment and are required to have a strategic and balanced view in regard to the best outcomes for everyone in the Industry. Some expiring members have indicated that they would like to continue on the Panel which can be considered pending their nomination.
Listed below are the specific categories that are up for nominations.
• Mature professional trainer
• Semi-professional trainer X 2
• Breeding background
• Young professional trainer
Should you fall under one of these categories and would like to join the Panel please apply in writing to myself at [email protected] advising what attributes you could bring to the Panel. Applications close on Friday, 26th February, 2021 which will then be considered by the GRSA Board for appointment. The appointment will be for a 2 year term which could be extended if agreed upon. The Panel meet 2 to 3 times a year, however, there will be general correspondence during this time which will take place via email. The next meeting scheduled for the Grading Review Panel is on Monday, 15th March, 2021 at 12.30pm.
GRP POSITIONS (AS FROM 30/11/2020)
| POSITION | MEMBER |
| Mature Professional TR | Petar Jovanovic (cont1.0) |
| Semi Professional TR | Vacant |
| Pathway/Hobbyist | Sharyn Gray (cont1.0) |
| Breeding background | Vacant |
| Wagering Background | Anthony McLean (cont1.0) |
| Ownership Background | Daniel Grgurovic (cont1.0) |
| Young Professional TR | Ben Rawlings (expired) |
| Semi Professional TR | Kim Johnstone (expired) |
| Club Representative | Mike Wittholz (1.0 left) |
THE EASTAR – MATCH RACE SERIES AT GAWLER
The local South Australian match race series, nicknamed ‘The Eastar’, has been shifted to Gawler due to the track update of Angle Park, which is expected to be well underway by April 2021.
The series will be held on Easter Sunday night, 4th April over the 531m. A big local crowd is expected for the meeting given the timing of the event and the public holiday the following day.
Greyhounds competing must be South Australian, based on the Nationals Championships conditions, which require greyhounds to be domiciled in the State for at least 76 days of the last 150 days prior to the close of nominations. Selection for this series will be for the fastest greyhounds nominated, based on their best time over the Gawler 531m distance since 1st October 2020 (regardless of their placing). GRSA will regularly update and publish a leaderboard (top 25), so all trainers and connections are aware of where their greyhound stands up until the close of nominations on Wednesday, 31st March 2021.
The head-to-head matches will be decided based on the final leaderboard, with no manual intervention by the Grader, as per the following:
· Match 1 – Seed 1 v Seed 4 (1st $2,750 - 2nd $350)
· Match 2 – Seed 2 v Seed 3 (1st $2,500 - 2nd $350)
· Match 3 – Seed 5 v Seed 8 (1st $2,250 - 2nd $350)
· Match 4 – Seed 6 v Seed 7 (1st $2,000 - 2nd $350)
The prizemoney for the overall Eastar placegetters (based on individual times in the match races) will be:
- 1st $4,500 – 2nd $1,300 – 3rd $650
The overall winner of the Gawler Eastar will be guaranteed a spot in the State of Origin Match race series (SA V Vic) to be held at the newly developed Angle Park track in September, as long as it is nominated and eligible to represent SA. As an added incentive the winner of the State of Origin Match Race Series guarantees itself a spot in the Group 1 Adelaide Cup in October and if successful will be guaranteed a spot in the Group 1 TOPGUN at the Meadows in November.
Current leader board – as at 25th February, 2021
| Greyhound_Name | Meeting_Date | Venue | Distance | Finish_Position | Run_Time |
| Velocity Bottino | 29-Nov-20 | Gawler | 531 | 1 | 30.54 |
| Ned's Chance | 10-Jan-21 | Gawler | 531 | 1 | 30.61 |
| Golden Night | 19-Oct-20 | Gawler | 531 | 1 | 30.67 |
| All Show | 6-Dec-20 | Gawler | 531 | 1 | 30.68 |
| Lily Pad | 20-Dec-20 | Gawler | 531 | 1 | 30.69 |
| Burning Nitro | 20-Jan-21 | Gawler | 531 | 1 | 30.71 |
| Barbados Express | 21-Feb-21 | Gawler | 531 | 1 | 30.72 |
| Stress The Point | 27-Jan-21 | Gawler | 531 | 1 | 30.72 |
| Untold | 13-Nov-20 | Gawler | 531 | 1 | 30.73 |
| Ashby Mayhem | 29-Nov-20 | Gawler | 531 | 2 | 30.77 |
| Major Major | 25-Oct-20 | Gawler | 531 | 1 | 30.79 |
| Ragin’ Reign | 21-Feb-21 | Gawler | 531 | 1 | 30.79 |
| Bold Mirage | 20-Dec-20 | Gawler | 531 | 2 | 30.8 |
| Spring Cobra | 2-Oct-20 | Gawler | 531 | 1 | 30.8 |
| Springvale Arge | 23-Dec-20 | Gawler | 531 | 1 | 30.81 |
| Concede | 18-Nov-20 | Gawler | 531 | 1 | 30.81 |
| Springvale Issy | 30-Oct-20 | Gawler | 531 | 1 | 30.83 |
| Venus And Mars | 8-Oct-20 | Gawler | 531 | 1 | 30.84 |
| Emerley Phantom | 18-Nov-20 | Gawler | 531 | 2 | 30.85 |
| Like A Librarian | 3-Jan-21 | Gawler | 531 | 1 | 30.85 |
| Victa Mikey | 29-Nov-20 | Gawler | 531 | 1 | 30.86 |
| Zipping Marshall | 27-Dec-20 | Gawler | 531 | 1 | 30.87 |
| Air Marshall | 19-Oct-20 | Gawler | 531 | 1 | 30.87 |
| Departure Gate | 7-Feb-21 | Gawler | 531 | 1 | 30.89 |
| Threaten | 10-Jan-21 | Gawler | 531 | 2 | 30.89 |
| Sweet Rose | 18-Nov-20 | Gawler | 531 | 1 | 30.91 |
| Oakvale Style | 3-Jan-21 | Gawler | 531 | 1 | 30.94 |
| Hello I'M Jade | 2-Dec-20 | Gawler | 531 | 1 | 30.95 |
| Spofforth | 25-Oct-20 | Gawler | 531 | 1 | 30.95 |
Racing
Unfortunately there were insufficient nominations for this Sunday’s Prelude however there will be another Prelude on Sunday 21st March with a maximum of two races over the 531m worth a total of $3,585 (City A prizemoney) with the winner taking a Prov1 penalty. There are also some Mixed Grades & Grade 6 Grades Heat and Final series over the 531m in the coming weeks to provide opportunities over the 531m journey.
Trialling conditions
Trials will be conducted at race meetings with up to 8 trials on Wednesday 24th March and up to 8 trials on Sunday night 28th March at Gawler over the 531m. (The race meeting will be a maximum of 11 races to accommodate this and GRSA may vary the mix of 8 dog and G-SIX racing with one less race available).
There will be a maximum of two dogs per trial and a total of 8 greyhound’s trialling per meeting. These trials will be run between races at the discretion of the Stewards. Trainers must book these trials with Greyhound Racing SA by 11.00am on the day for Wednesday and 4.00pm on the Friday before the Sunday.
All greyhounds will be eligible to trial, whether on the current list to improve their position or not, at the absolute discretion of the Grader.
Local eligibility conditions still apply. Each greyhound will only be allowed to trial once in an effort to improve their position or obtain a spot on the list.