Thursday Preview - Murray Bridge - 24th June 2021

24/06/2021
Racing News

The highlight of tonight’s racing here at Murray Bridge is the running of the 2021 Shane McQueen Final over the 530m (race 8) on the programme, it’s certainly a hot field, three kennels have multiple runners so it makes for a must for the Trifecta and First Four punters. Race 10 on the card we see the exciting Fantastic Radley over the 680m, he is going for four straight at the track and could make it a BIG night again for the Ossie Chegia kennel.

Race 1 - We kick start the night with a very strong event, I like the Greg Board trained Spring Vinnie here, he should get the early sit and power home over the top of them. Alfieri along with Bomb Proof both are strong chances, add Spofforth who handles a wide draw. Box Up 1.2.4.8

Race 2 - This is the Maiden event and we will stick with Finniss Flash, he was an eye-catching run when 3^rd here last start and is knocking on the door. Ferocious Steve had good support and was 2^nd from this draw over this trip, he is the danger. My Villanelle has been the bridesmaid at her last four. Box Up 2.4.7.8

Race 3 - This certainly is a wide-open affair so we will go with the well-drawn Exhilarating down in box 1, he found trouble last run at Gawler and should improve in this. Safe Drops hasn’t been that far away in recent runs and Weblec Rebel can pinch a place. Box Up 1.2.4.7

Race 4 - Zipping Whoopi will find this a lot easier than his last start when he was unplaced in open company, she looks one of the better bets on the programme. Footrot Fernando has been in the money at his last four and has the perfect draw. Barmah McLaren can add the value for the Trifecta. Box Up 1.2.4.8

Race 5 - Rock It Barcia has won four of her last five, she has the pace to lead and looks very hard to beat again. Gemtree Apollo led everywhere bar the post here last week from this draw and is the improver. Cold Esky is another form runner winning his last three and is a must for the First Four. Box Up 2.3.4.7

Race 6 - Spring Halo gets her chance here, she has been placed in her last three in stronger company, she has the gun draw and is out top pick. Zinfandel Tori has been in winning form, she has won four of her last five and has terrific early pace and looks very hard to beat again. See You Smile along with Sudden Force for the First Four. Box Up 1.3.7.8

Race 7 - The Lauren Harris kennel has a new one in their kennel with Crawl, he has 5 wins along with 4 placings from his 24 starts and hasn’t raced since early May, he is sure to be well tried on his SA debut. Time Striker can bounce back here from a better draw and is amongst the better chances. Meet Joe Black loves this circuit and is in the mix. Box Up 1.2.3.8

Race 8 - This is the Final of the 2021 Shane McQueen, it certainly is a terrific event and as mentioned earlier three trainers have multiple runners and I will have a little wager on Zipping Sultan who won here last week from a rails draw in handy time. Max Voltage battled on well to qualify and is right in the mix again with his early pace. Jacks Well will be thundering home, he has found trouble at his last two runs and is a class act. Add Fantastic Shell who carved out a BON win here last start for the First Four. Box Up 1.2.5.8.

Race 9 - George The First was a winner here two runs back from this draw, he is in the Rasmussen kennel and looks hard to beat again. Blake's Crossing needs to improve his box manners and in the small field, can be closer than normal as he is very strong. Simple Man is making his debut at the track and is drawn to have every chance. Box Up 1.2.4.6

Race 10 - Fantastic Radley has taken the SA racing seen by storm winning four of his five starts all in slick times, he loves this circuit but will be unbackable odds. New Year Tears along with his kennel mate Tapestry Tears for the minors. 6/1/4/8.

Race 11 - The Chegia kennel has been in fine form in recent weeks and can have a race to race double with Terrific Keith, he has blistering early pace and has won four of his last five and should win again. Undercut has improved and can run into the money again along with Classic McLaren. Box Up 1.4.5.8

Race 12 - Its certainly a toughie to go home on so we will go with the well-drawn Sentinel McLaren down in box 1, he has been hit and miss of late but hopefully can begin better than usual. Hot Rocks is amongst the chances as is Victa Jess who is more than capable of surprising. Box Up 1.4.7.8

Best Bets

Race 4 NO 4 Zipping Whoopi

Race 5 NO 3 Rock It Barcia

Best Each-Way

Race 12 NO 7 Victa Jess

 

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 June was released last week 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 excellent night of racing at Murray Bridge.

First 4 selections –

Race 1:  4,8,2,1
Race 2:  2,8,5,7
Race 3:  2,1,7,5
Race 4:  4,8,1,2
Race 5:  3,2,7,5
Race 6:  3,1,7,8
Race 7:  8,4,1,2
Race 8:  8,5,1,2
Race 9:  2,4,6,1
Race 10:  6,1,4,8
Race 11:  8,1,4,5
Race 12:  1,4,2,8

Best Bets:            Race 12, No. 1 - Sentinel McLaren

Each-Way:          Race 7, No. 8 - Meet Joe Black

Roughie:              Race 3, No. 2 - Weblec Rebel

 

MURRAY BRIDGE THURSDAY (Prov 1)

Next weeks Murray Bridge Thursday meeting features –

$6,320 Free For All (N/P)– 680m

$1,525 Masters Mixed – 395m (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)

$1,645 Grade 6– 530m

Nominations close Monday 28^th June with GRSA at 9.00am.

 

GAWLER SUNDAY (City A)

Next weeks Gawler Sunday meeting features –

$6,320 Heats Mixed – 643m ($6,320 Final 11/7/21)

$3,585 Masters Grade 5 - 531m (For greyhounds 3¾yo or over at time of nom-must raced prev 6 months or qualy trialled in that time. 4yo & higher will have pref. N/P)

$3,260 Bitches Grade 6 – 531m

$2,465 Open Maiden – 531m

******Standby Shortcourse only run if required******

Nominations close Wednesday 30^th June with GRSA at 9.00am.

 

LOCAL NEWS

2021 SHANE MCQUEEN FINAL TONIGHT AT MURRAY BRIDGE

Last week at Murray Bridge there were three excellent heats of the 2021 Shane McQueen over the 530m journey where the first two placegetters and two fastest third placegetters qualified for tonights Feature final.

Heat winners were – Fantastic Shell – 29.81, Zipping Sultan – 30.01, Rushes – 29.87

The Final field in Box Draw order is:

1. Zipping Sultan  Ken Gill
2. Max Voltage  Lauren Harris
3. Fantastic Pippa  Ossie Chegia
4. Rushes  Lisa Rasmussen
5. Fantastic Shell  Ossie Chegia
6. Rhyme Nor Reason   Lauren Harris
7. Zipping Benson  Ken Gill
8. Jack’s Well  Cameron Butcher
9. Gary’s Miracle (1st Res)                           SCR
10. Bomb Proof (2^nd Res)                                     SCR

The $8,580 Final will be race 8 on the program and is listed to jump at 9.12pm (SA time).

This will be the eighteenth running of the event, which is named in the memory of former GRSA CEO, Shane McQueen who tragically passed away in May 2003. Shane worked with the Office of Gaming in Western Australia and then as the Operations Manager with Greyhounds WA before moving his family across the border and joining Greyhound Racing SA as the CEO back in 1998.

Shane was an outstanding administrator with an undeniable passion for our sport in South Australia. Much of what he put in place can still be seen today, most notably the Greyhound Park tavern, named “McQueens” after his passing.

 

SIR TRUCULENT AND BEDROCK FRED AT ALBION PARK TONIGHT

Both Sir Truculent and Bedrock Fred have been sent up to Tony Brett in Queensland for feature races during their carnival and they debut tonight.

Bedrock Fred who won our Stayers Championship at Murray Bridge is engaged in race 7 at 8.04pm over the 710m journey. He has drawn box 6 and meets a handy field however he showed his talent at Murray Bridge and Gawler and a big performance would not surprise.

Sir Truculent is in race 8, the Listed Super Stayers which is a 4 dog event over the 710m journey. He has drawn in box 7 due to start at 8.26pm against some outstanding opposition. The Truck does like the Sunshine state winning 2 of his 3 starts including the listed Gold Cup back in February.

Good luck to all concerned tonight and in the coming weeks.

 

GAWLER PRODUCE SERIES TO KICK OFF ON FRIDAY 2^ND JULY -  NOMINATIONS CLOSE TUESDAY 29^TH JUNE

The Gawler Produce series will kick off with the Heats on Friday, 2^nd July.

With the changes to feature races due to the Angle Park redevelopment the Gawler Produce series has been pushed back a few weeks to allow greyhounds to compete in the Howard Ashton and Shane McQueen and then be ready for the Produce. GRSA has also tried to fit in with the City A programming where possible.

Gawler Produce Stake 531m -

For greyhounds whelped in 2019 – special conditions apply.  Special Event – No Penalties Apply – unraced greyhounds are eligible.

Heats @ $2,000                Friday, 2^nd July (Prov1)

Semi-Finals @ $3,500*   Sunday, 11^th July (City A) *for this year it will be higher prizemoney due to being run at a City A meeting

Final @ $22,000               Sunday, 18^th July (Prov1)

Consolation @ $3,500    Sunday, 18^th July (Prov1)

• Nominations close Tuesday, 29^th June at 9.00am.

 

RACING DATES RELEASED FOR JULY AND AUGUST 2021

The Racing Dates for July and August have been released with the anticipated first race meeting back at Angle Park to be on Saturday, 21^st August.

The remainder of the racing dates for season 2021/2022 will be released in the coming weeks with some programming details still to be finalised. This is also dependent upon the first race meeting at Angle Park being on Saturday, 21^st August.

In a lead up to this, it is expected that there will be significant trialling at Angle Park prior to this date of recommencement.

 

VOUCHERS FOR MURRAY BRIDGE

The Murray Bridge GRC have been able to secure some $100 vouchers from their sponsors Daish Irrigation & Fodder and Pet Wagin to be used on heat and final series’ over the next 12 months.

The first two will be used in July for a heat and final series on the 7^th and 14^th July on the Straight Track supported by Pet Waggin. The next series will be a heat and final series on the One Turn supported by Daish Irrigation on 15^th and 22^nd July.

 

2021 NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS IN VICTORIA – SA SPRINT HEATS NOW OVER 530M

The GCA National Championships are just around the corner.

The National Finals this year will be held at the Meadows in Victoria and are to be conducted on Saturday, 28^th August.

Both the National Sprint and National Distance Finals will carry prizemoney of $75,000 to the winner.

The State series’ for SA will be held at Murray Bridge on Thursday, 5^th August for the Sprint Heats over 530m with the State Final of the Sprint and one-off Final over 680m of the Distance on the 12^th August.

(At the most recent ICG the panel felt that the 530m distance was mnore reflective of the 525m of the Meadows where the National final will be conducted rather than the 455m distance?

These events have to be run on the same night at the one venue to meet National requirements.

In an effort to support this series ALL States will be conducting their Finals on the same night to be run within a two hour period.

• Nominations this year will close at the normal time with GRSA which will be at 9am on Monday, 2^nd August

A reminder to all trainers of the clause which requires a greyhound to have been domiciled in South Australia for a period of not less than 76 days out of the 150 days immediately prior to the nomination closing date to be eligible to represent SA, which going back is on Wednesday, 19^th May 2021. If unsure of a greyhound’s status, please contact the GRSA grading staff.

 

NATIONAL STRAIGHT TRACK CHAMPIONSHIPS IN QUEENSLAND THIS YEAR

The National Straight Track Championship this year will be held at Capalaba on Sunday, 15^th August –with the winner receiving $25,000.

This year SA will have two SA dogs represent the State in the series with QLD, NSW, VIC and SA challenging for the title.

Our local Heats are listed on Wednesday, 28^th July with the Final on Wednesday, 4^th August. This will allow 11 days until the National Final to organise travel and trialling arrangements. SA eligibility conditions refer to 76 days out of the last 150 days prior to our nominations closing for the Heats.

GRSA have been advised that Capalaba trial every Friday and Monday, with Monday the ideal day to trial in preparation for a Sunday meeting (National Final).

Capalaba also advise they can accommodate trials on Sunday and Wednesday race meetings. The Club has a Wednesday meeting on 11^th August just prior to the NSTC.

The Capalaba Club are more than happy to accommodate the needs of visiting trainers and already have had a number of trainers offer their place for Interstate visitors.

 

UPCOMING GOTBA RACING DATES

The Coursing at Virginia continues with 4 dog events programmed.

Upcoming dates are –
Sunday 4^th July
Sunday 18^th July
Sunday 15^th August
Sunday 29^th August

 

PROV 1 PRIZEMONEY FOR MOUNT GAMBIER FROM JULY 1

It is confirmed that the increase to Provincial 1 will be from Mount Gambier’s Sunday meeting on 1^st July, 2021 and will be the same breakdown as Gawler and Murray Bridge.

This meeting will be considered a Provincial 1 meeting for Grading and the grades that the greyhounds currently have for Provincial 2 will carry over to Provincial 1. This was the same process when Gawler split into Provincial 1 and Provincial 2 meetings a number of years ago.  Thursday meetings will remain Time Grading under the current format as it has proven to be quite successful over the years, however, the impact of these changes will be monitored by GRSA.

 

BORDER CHALLENGE (MT GAMBIER V WARNAMBOOL) SERIES POSTPONED TO AUGUST

After consultation with the Mt Gambier GRC and Warrnambool GRC the Border Challenge series between the two Clubs has been postponed.

The Mt Gambier series was to be run on the 20^th and 27^th June, however, due to ongoing SA and VIC border restrictions both Clubs felt it should be postponed to ensure the series viability. The Clubs are looking at reprogramming sometime in August.

The Conditions for the series are:

Maximum of 2 Heats. If 1 Heat first 4 through, if 2 Heats first two through to $5,800 Final over 512m at Mt Gambier.

Trainer must have had starters at 15 Mount Gambier meetings in the past 12 months.

Trainer must have trained the greyhound nominated for the previous 3 months.

Greyhound must have started at least four times in the past 12 months at Tara Raceway.

 

50^th ANNIVERSARY AT GAWLER IN JULY

In celebration of the 50^th Anniversary of the Gawler Greyhound Racing Club there will be a Feature Open Event run on Sunday, 18^th July worth a total of $10,000.

The race will be run over the 531m and will be run on the Gawler Produce Final night.

• Nominations close with GRSA at 9am on Wednesday, 14^th July

 

CHAMPION PUPPY MOVED TO AUGUST AND CONDUCTED AT GAWLER

The Champion Puppy series for greyhounds whelped on or after 1^st July 2019 will be conducted in August.

This series is normally conducted in July, however, with changes to feature events it has been moved to August with the Heats on Sunday, 1^st August and the Final on Sunday, 8^th August. GRSA has committed to running this series in this timeslot and with Angle Park not being ready at this time the series will be run at Gawler and will coincide with the City A meetings.

The Heats will be worth $5,595 with the Final now worth $14,275.

• Nominations for the Heats close with GRSA at 9am on Wednesday, 28^th Jul

 

CITY A MEETINGS FOR PRIZEMONEY AND GRADING AT THE VENUE

Gawler Sunday 4^th July

Gawler Sunday 11^th July

Murray Bridge Thursday 15^th July

Murray Bridge Thursday 22^nd July

Gawler Sunday 1^st August

Gawler Sunday 8^th August

Murray Bridge Thursday 12^th August

Murray Bridge Thursday 19^th August

 

CANCELLING TRIALS

If Trainers have booked trials for a session and decide not to come with all of their booked greyhounds, it would be appreciated if they could notify GRSA so amendments can be made.

If this is at short notice then there is not much that could be done, however, if trainers know their confirmed numbers during normal business hours then please advise GRSA.