More Group One Glory for Miss Spicy

Transcription

1 MEDIA RELEASE 6th March 2006 More Group One Glory for Miss Spicy The Australian Cup Carnival concluded last Saturday night with a spectacular night of action featuring two Group one events with the highlight the 48 th running of the AJS Corporation Australian Cup final. The Meadows was in all its glory with a hugh crowd on hand enjoying a great night of entertainment, football stars, give aways and outstanding greyhound action. A sensational field had qualified for the final with Melbourne Cup and Silver Chief winner Closing Argument ($2.40 fav) the popular elect as he was attempting to become the first greyhound in history to win the treble. Second favourite at $2.80 was Paua To Burn she was also trying to create her own history, if she could win the Cup her fifth group one she would past Rapid Journey s Australian and World Stakes record of $530,000. Ironically the World stakes record was reset the following day by American bitch Grey s Calibrator when she brilliantly took out the first running of the Derby Lane Million the richest greyhound event ever staged. Worth $500,000 American to the winner it was conducted at the Derby Lane Complex in St Petersburg, Florida, U.S.A. However upstaging all the fancied runners was Adelaide Cup winner Miss Spicy ($28.80) the front running fawn bitch put herself in the race early and just happened to be in the perfect position when the drama unfolded coming off the back straight. Closing Argument did what he seldom doesn t do he missed the start. Along with Trew Touch, Go Forever and Pororoca they were all slow out. Mountain Dry had come out humming and lead around the first turn and down the back. In hot pursuit was Miss Spicy and getting up on the rails Paua To Burn with the rest of field not far away and making their runs. Mountain Dry at that point faltered in his action and dropped back causing interference to several finalists approaching the home turn. Miss Spicy missed the back lash and sprinted to the lead with a nice break in the home straight she held off the challengers of Go Forever ($26.30) and Trew Touch ($33.10) to record her victory. Mountain Dry was vetted following the event by Dr. Michael Bell, the Club's Veterinary Surgeon, and he reported that Mountain Dry had sustained injuries to the right shoulder, right hamstring and calf. Acting on a recommendation from Dr. Bell, the stewards stood Mountain Dry down from competing for 14 days. The field in finishing order followed 4 th Closing Argument ($2.40 fav), 5 th Captain Odessa ($17.00), 6 th Pororoca ($15.10), 7 th Paua To Burn ($2.80) and Mountain Dry ($5.70). Continued on Page 2

2 2 MISS SPICY WINS THE CUP (ALL PICS PAUL MUNT) Time for the final was with a back section of and a first section for Mountain Dry of The margins were a length and a quarter by three lengths. South Australian trainer Troy Murray was over come with emotion as he accepted the spoils on behave of Queensland owner breeder Sarah Pringle. It s hard to explain how I feel I knew she had her work cut out in this quality field but she has done a brilliant job. When she hit the front I was just hoping she could hang on I saw Go Forever coming but she found a bit and they weren t going to catch her. It is fantastic, who would have dreamed you could win a race like this it s amazing. Murray said. The 27 year old Two Wells trainer had plenty of support from wife Joanne and young son Connor. While in Melbourne for the Carnival Murray has stayed at the Yuroke property of veteran trainer Len Ketelaar and his wife Robyn. Len is also an M.G.R.A. Director. Continued on Page 3

3 3 Miss Spicy a fawn bitch by Just The Best from Miss Angelique ( Fortified Speed x Miss Cruise) she has now raced 29 times for 18 wins and six placings and her stake earnings after the $125,000 to the winner Australian Cup went to $236,495. The Australian Cup was first run in 1958 at North Melbourne the M.G.R.A. s first home then moved with the club to Olympic Park becoming the famous race it is today when promoted with flair and style by the late Ken Carr the club astute manager for many years. When Olympic closed the club flagship event was conducted at Sandown while the club established its new home at the Meadows. It has been conducted at the new complex since it opened in Listed below is the classic honour roll of the past winners that have won this mighty race Rookie Rebel, 1959 Rocky Ros, 1960 Meadow Vale 1961 Copeland, 1962 Take A Bow, 1963 "Not Held", 1964 Old Tops, 1965 Worthing, 1966 Billy Vee, 1967 Fawn Nulla, 1968 Swanston Lass, 1969 Benjamin John, 1970 The Smoother, 1971 Black Diro, 1972 Blackamoor Lad, 1973 Half Your Luck, 1974 Kim's Monaro, 1975 Ungwilla Lad, 1976 Odious, 1977 Listowel Sue, 1978 Count D'Argent, 1979 Boundless, 1980 Tangaloa, 1981 Pete's Advice, 1982 Royal Rumpus, 1983 Drop Of Wine, 1984 Tangairn, 1985 Eaglehawk Star, 1986 Bright Judge, 1987 Regal Post, 1988 Golden Blessing, 1989 Ginger, 1990 Spread Eagled, 1991 Franklin Deano, 1992 China Trip, 1993 China Trip, 1994 Mancunian Girl, 1995 Bonjase, 1996 Tenthill Doll, 1997 Smooth Rumble, 1998 Fibba, 1999 Mandatario, 2000 Arvo's Express, 2001 Brett Lee, 2002 Isa Brown, 2003 Most Awesome / Blackjack Tom D/H, 2004 Bogie Leigh 2005 Pure Octane Quidame leads all the way in the Gleeson & Tonta The other Group One feature that has become part of Australian Cup final night is the Gleeson & Tonta Stayers Trophy over the 725 metres. An excellent field had made their way to the final after qualifying in heats last week. Queenslander Quidame from box one was sent out an easy $3.80 favourite in what was a wide open affair. Quidame had shown a good deal of promise as a stayer but was probably due to deliver to convince trainer Tony Brett she could cut it at the top level. Well she delivered in no uncertain terms jumping straight to the front she highballed on the lure breaking the hearts of her top class opposition. Along the way she established new sectional records for each split recording 4.92, and running the hands off the clock she did get a little tied getting to the line but still recorded an outstanding just outside the Meadows 725 metre record of held by Malfoy and set in last years Gleeson & Tonta final. Spalding ($5.20) as usual was again gallant in defeat coming home hard to go down by a length and a quarter with Bentley Jane ($19.40) third six and a quarter lengths from the winner. The rest of the field in finishing order followed 4 th Rocky ($11.80), 5 th Ray Reltub ($25.20), 6 th Royal Riddle ($5.50), 7 th Slick Galore ($4.40) and Atomic Jet ($7.10). Continued on Page 4

4 4 THE FLYING QUIDAME WINS THE GLEESON & TONTA The ever smiling Tony Brett accepted the trophy from Sandown CEO Matt Corby presenting for David Gleeson who was overseas on business. We knew she would run a big race tonight she was spot on in the lead up Ron (Hood) was very confident is she led she would win. I left her down here for the week I don t normally do that but I have full confidence in how Ron would look after her he has done a great job with her preparation for this final. She seems to be getting better at the staying much stronger, we still need to get those 700 metre races under her belt. I might take her to Perth there is nothing on up home so we ll probably be off over there. Brett said. Brett has enjoyed some fantastic moments at the Meadows winning the Australian Cup with Bogie Leigh, the Top Gun with Black Enforcer now the Gleeson & Tonta. Brett over recent years has enjoyed an outstanding Melbourne arrangement at the property of Ron Hood and Marg Long. He has become family and it is no doubt one of the reasons his greyhounds race so well in Victoria. Raced by Helen Ivers Quidame is a black bitch whelped May 2003 by Flying Penske from Sheza Swifty (New Tears x Voodoo Lady). Quidame has raced 45 times for 24 wins and 15 placings and her over all stake earnings went to $113,685 after the win. Continued on Page 5

5 5 Listed below are the past winners of the Gleeson & Tonta Trophy. First run at Olympic Park in 1978 the staying feature has stood the test time. Sponsored by industry identity David Gleeson and his business partner Bob Tonta. As a team they have operated an Electrical and Furniture store in Dandenong a South Eastern suburb of Melbourne since the late 70 s. David Gleeson has bred and raced many star performers over a four decade involvement in the sport King's Domain, 1979 Misty Fabric, 1980 Sue's Repeat, 1981 Parachute Luck, 1982 Mira Donna, 1983 Dark Harlequin, 1984 Tesoro Mio, 1985 Planosec, 1986 Bay Supreme, 1987 Mystic Hope, 1988 Magic Lightning, 1989 High Flight, 1990 Pebbles' Beach, 1991 Modern Express, 1992 Saltwater Sid, 1993 Gold Roulette, 1994 "Not Held", 1995 Just Barby, 1996 City Blitz, 1997 Nowhere To Go, 1998 Ringside Fire, 1999 Moe's Tavern, 2000 Sunblest Kid, 2001 Proven Dreams, 2002 Boomeroo, 2003 Oh Behave, 2004 Skipper Rip, 2005 Malfoy. For more information please contact: Neil Brown Donna Summers AGRA Publicity Officer AGRA Executive Officer Tel: Tel: Mob: Mob: