Gawler ready as North vs South Challenge kicks off
GAWLER will see some of the state’s best greyhounds in action as the second North vs South Challenge kicks off on Sunday.
The event sees some of South Australia’s best greyhounds compete over a three-week racing period, with rounds at Gawler and Murray Bridge culminating in the final to be held at Gawler on Sunday July 30.
Greyhounds will compete over the 400m and 531m journey with points allocated on finishing positions and an overall champion crowned at each distance on finals night with greyhounds representing either the North (Gawler) or the South (Murray Bridge) dependent on postcode.
Gawler Greyhound Racing Club president Bob May said that Gawler was excited to host the final and encouraged as many people as possible to get out and support their area.
“We are once again looking forward to the event especially hosting the final at Gawler.” May said.
“It is a great showcase to not only our track, but Murray Bridge and we would love to see as many people as possible trackside for some really great racing.”
The two clubs split the events last year with Victa Kurt taking out the short course for the South while Toby West claimed the 530m distance for the North.
May was hoping that the North would be able to go one better in 2023 and claim both events and bragging rights over Murray Bridge.
“We get on well with Murray Bridge but we are looking to clean up and win both events,” May said.
“It was 50/50 last year and was a really fantastic event and we are hoping to make it bigger and better this year.”
Round 1 kicks off at Gawler on Sunday with a number of impressive chasers taking part in the event over both the 531m and 400m journey.
The challenge begins in race five the North race over the 531m journey followed by the South chasers over the same distance.
It continues into races seven and eight with greyhounds from both areas competing over the short course distance of 400m journey.
Both areas are well represented in the event with the North 531m chasers including recent winner of the Shane McQueen Dash Of Blue and the Ben Rawlings trained Agent Nineteen who had won six straight races before a recent blip.
The South 531m shapes as the most interesting race in round one with all eight chasers posing a winning threat in the race. The Harris-Tugwell team will have three representatives in the race while Razzle Darryl, Victa Speed, Oh Louise and Boom Boom Jinx will all have claims.
Racing at Gawler starts at 4:50pm Sunday before round two of the challenge switches to Murray Bridge on Sunday July 23 before the final is back at Gawler on Sunday July 30.