| The $215,000 Sky Racing Topgun – the 21st running of Australia’s premier invitationonly event – sees the country’s finest pitted against one another in an October 26 Group1 racing extravaganza at The Meadows. The eight finalists and two reserves combine for almost $2.7 million in prizemoney won– the highest collective total for a single race in Australian greyhound racing history.The Wheeler family will be looking to create some history of their own, looking for a thirdconsecutive Topgun triumph after wins from Allen Harper (2011) and longshot David Bale in last year’s running. Their chaser Xylia Allen – already a three-time Group 1 winner – will start from box five. South Australian cult hero Ernie Bung Arrow seems to be well drawn out in seven,aiming for his 14th win from 15 starts in his first run on interstate soil. Queenslander Glen Gallon will break Miata’s Australian prizemoney record if successful, pushing hisearnings to $768,827.As always, patrons on course for the 2013 TOPGUN will have the chance to win some amazing prizes, including AFL memberships, bikes for the children, TAB giveaways and entertainment for all ages in what has become one of the biggest nights at The Meadows. GROUP ONE – SKY RACING TOP GUN $150,000 to the winner Peter Rocket (VIC) 49 starts 20-6-13 ($225,255) Where’s Pedro – Belron Blue Black Dog August '10 Owner: Lisa Hellmuth Trainer: Keith Hellmuth Meadows best: 29.95 (4) (12 Starts 5-1-5) Group race wins: 1st G1 Megastars, G2 Horsham Cup (2011). Only the third time he’ll jump from box one in his career, beaten both times off the red. Super win in Dapto Megastars and bonus is dog on his right does use a bit of the track. Must be respected as races well at The Meadows. Punch One Out (NSW) 44 starts 22-10-4 ($127,199) Knocka Norris – Little Egyptian Black Bitch February '11 Owner / Trainer: Grant Fennelly Meadows best: NBT (1 Starts 0-0-1) Group race wins: 1st G3 Gold Coast Cup. Wentworth Park and Richmond track record holder who broke her Group-winning duck in sizzling Gold Coast Cup win last week. Is as fast as any on her day but does have some early speed on her outside. Strong finisher with freakish talent. Tomac Bale (VIC) 23 Starts 12-3-1 ($153,645) Dyna Lachlan – Princess Bale Red Fawn Dog April '11 Owner: Paul Wheeler Trainer: Mark Delbridge Meadows best: 29.67 (2) (11 Start 7-2-0) Group race wins: 1st G2 Launching Pad. Gutsy second behind Ernie Bung Arrow after getting cut out in Adelaide Cup final. Loves The Meadows, winning seven from 11, and he is one of four chasers with a sub-29.70PB here. The one to beat if he steps cleanly. Spud Regis (VIC) 31 starts 16-5-5 ($450,545) Bombastic Shiraz – Phiona Black Dog December ‘10 Owner: Treloar Syndicate Trainer: Andrea Dailly Meadows best: 29.63 (1) (10 Starts 6-1-0) Group race wins: 1st G1 Adelaide Cup (2012), Australian Cup (2013), G3 SA Derby (2012). The Australian Cup hero has returned after a stint at stud in good form, winning a quality Free For All at The Meadows in 29.83 on September 21. Has enough early speed to lead this race. Monumental effort if he were to score off a limited preparation. Xylia Allen (VIC) 42 starts 17-9-7 ($377,625) Turanza Bale – Tayah Bale Black Bitch April '11 Owner: Janice Wheeler Trainer: Graeme Bate Meadows best: 29.63 (6) (9 Starts 3-1-2) Group race honours: 1st G1 National Sprint, G1 Sapphire Crown, G1 Peter Mosman, Group 2 Launceston Cup. A remarkably successful chaser who gives her owner/trainer a chance to win their third consecutive TOPGUN. Poorly boxed but has a super PB here and none are stronger. Danger with a sit behind early leaders. Glen Gallon (QLD) 70 starts 37-11-4 ($618,827) Flying Stanley – Incoherent Red Brindle Dog August '09 Owner: Velocity Lodge (PTN) Trainer: Tony Brett Meadows best: 29.69 (3) (10 Starts 3-1-1) Group race honours: 1st G1 Brisbane Cup (2011), 1st G1 Winter Cup (2012-2013) Aiming to become Australia’s highest prizemoney earner with victory here, which would clearly be his finest hour. Hasn’t won a race since August 1 (his fourth birthday) and box does not help. Place best. Ernie Bung Arrow (SA) 14 starts 13-1-0 ($119,290) Lochinvar Marlow – Slipper’s Tonic Black Dog November ‘11 Owner: Helen Deacon Trainer: Ken Gill Meadows beat: NBT Group race honours: 1st G1 Adelaide Cup, 1st G3 SA Derby. SA’s local hero after a super Adelaide Cup win - his 13th from just 14 starts. Possesses brilliant early speed and should be in a very handy position at the first turn. Not without a chance. Dyna Nalin (WA) 38 starts 25-6-1 ($278,500) Ashom Bale – Tally Bale Black Dog March ‘11 Owner : Paul Wheeler Trainer : Paul Stuart Meadows best: 29.89 (6)(3 Starts 2-1-1) Group race honours: 1st G1 Perth Cup. Amazingly powerful sprinter from WA who has raced well at The Meadows from three starts. Not the best away but finishes with a withering burst. Will rely on luck but has the class to win. Gold Town (VIC) 64 starts 21-14-8 ($191,175) Surf Lorian – Golden Gwen Fresh off a Group 2 victory at Wentworth Park, but fell at his last outing in a heat of the Geelong Cup. Marcus Joe (VIC) 25 starts 7-7-3 ($143,190) Velocette – Mojo Glory Also took a tumble in heat of the Geelong Cup. Group 1 winner at The Meadows, running a top 29.66. Local expert’s selections for the SKY RACING TOPGUN final are as follows. Ron Hawkswell 1st Spud Regis 2nd Peter Rocket 3rd Xylia Allen Eddie Caruana 1st Punch One Out 2nd Ernie Bung Arrow 3rd Xylia Allen Rob Testa 1st Spud Regis 2nd Tomac Bale 3rd Punch One Out George Farrugia 1st Tomac Bale 2nd Dyna Nalin 3rd Spud Regis .jpg) What’s happening on race night? Main entertainment and activities planned for the night include: Public Transport: A Courtesy Dyson Bus will depart Broadmeadows Railway Station taking people to course to enjoy a night of Greyhound Racing. Call (03) 93555222 to confirm your seat. Entertainment: Meet AFL Champion Players on course at the Meadows. Handball Competition for the Kids Loads of Free Activities 4 the kids Bouncing Castles, Mini Golf & Face Painting Giveaways $5,000 Big Bucks (4 x $1000 & 10 x $100 Bets) on the Topgun First 300 kids receive a FREE football and Showbags Mystery Bet Combos & TAB Betting Vouchers Facilities TAB Catering Full Bar ATM Topgun Timeline 1993- First Topgun run. Victorian champions Worth Backing and Golden Currency defy wet and cold conditions to finish in a dead heat. Revealing finished a further four inches away in third. Worth Backing and Golden Currency split the $40,000 winner’s purse.
1994- Topgun held at Olympic Park. Winner’s purse increased to $50,000. 1995- Rapid Hiker sets new track record on old Sandown Park track. 1996- First place prizemoney increased to $70,000. 1997- Greyhounds from Ireland, the UK and United States compete against Australia’s best. 1998- Race elevated to Group 2 status. 1999- Race elevated to Group 1 status. 2000- Prizemoney increased to $100,000 to the winner. 2003- Bombastic Shiraz completes Triple Crown – claiming the Shootout, Melbourne Cup and Topgun. 2004- Whisky Assassin, drawn favourably in box 8, sets new Sandown Park track record – 29.40 seconds. 2005- Prizemoney increased to $125,000 to the winner. 2008- Race finds a permanent home at the Meadows after both Metro clubs agree to a new feature race structure. Previously the Topgun had alternated between the MGRA and Sandown. 2009- Superstar winner El Galo is disqualified after returning a positive swab and the race is awarded to Regal Thyme the first reserve, he gained a start in box one following the scratching of the injured Queenslander Knocka Norris. 2009- Victorian and Australian Greyhound of the year Cindeen Shelby rounded out her outstanding year with an all the way win defeating a classy field in 2009 Topgun. 2010- Another Victorian and Australian Greyhound of the Year El Grand Senor proved what a great champion he was with an outstanding Top Gun win, he led all the way in 29.83. 2011- Legendary Victorian Hall of Fame trainer Graeme Bate won one of the few events he hadn’t before secured. His extraordinary year continued when Allen Harper took out the Top Gun. He proved too good after finding the early lead. The Wheeler – Bate combination not only supplied the winner but runner-up as well with Radley Bale. It was a memorable night for the unstoppable team. 2012- Rank outsider David Bale ($31.20) caused one of the biggest boilovers in Group 1 history, running down kennelmate Desalle Bale in the shadows of the post to win the Sky Racing TOPGUN in 29.92. Listed below are the past Top Gun winners since the race commended in 1993. Year Winner State Trainer Time Track 1993- Worth Backing (VIC) Carl Haas 30.56 Sandown Park Golden Currency (VIC) Kevin Mugavin Jnr DH 1994- New Fox (NSW) Dennis Reid 29.98 Olympic Park 1995- Rapid Hiker (VIC) Philip Newman 29.80 Sandown Park 1996- Wylie Boy (VIC) George Rose 30.09 Sandown Park 1997- Chicago Blue (VIC) Brian Furness 30.00 Sandown Park 1998- Rapid Journey (NSW) Jane Carruthers 29.85 Sandown Park 1999- Mint Magic (NSW) Ray Watson 29.97 Meadows 2000- Placard (NSW) Ruth King 29.92 Sandown Park 2001- No Intent (VIC) Jason Thompson 30.17 Meadows 2002- Lindale Blue (WA) Colin Bainbridge 29.76 Sandown Park 2003- Bombastic Shiraz (VIC) Darren Cairns 30.06 Meadows 2004- Whisky Assassin (VIC) Jason Thompson 29.40 Sandown Park 2005- Black Enforcer (QLD) Tony Brett 30.02 Meadows 2006- Jaimandy Coops (VIC) Paul Donohue 29.60 Sandown Park 2007- Meticulous (VIC) Mario Briganti 29.88 Meadows 2008- Regal Thyme (VIC) Graeme Long 29.75 Meadows 2009- Cindeen Shelby (VIC) Kelvyn Greenough 29.75 Meadows 2010- El Grand Senor (VIC) Carolyn Jones 29.83 Meadows 2011- Allen Harper (VIC) Graeme Bate 29.82 Meadows 2012- David Bale (VIC) Graeme Bate 29.92 Meadows Last Year’s Top Gun winner David Bale | 