Victoria’s fastest chasers will line up at Sandown Park on Thursday 2 August for the right to represent the Big V at the National Sprint Championship.
An outstanding 49 nominations for the Victorian leg of the series were received, and includes Group race winners Don’t Knocka Him, Godsend, El Brooklyn, Katie Merry, Dyna Lowell, Allen Hertz and Blackalls Boss, as well as brilliant youngsters Ima Geisha Girl, Roy Galo, Fabregas, Odie For Now and Leeroy Rocker.
The 49 nominations comprise greyhounds from 16 different kennels, with a staggering 15 from Hall Of Fame trainer Graeme Bate alone. Bate is seeking a second National Sprint Champion after Henerick Bale won the event when the final was last run at The Meadows in 2002.
Despite being regarded by many to be the home to the best greyhound racing in the country, Victoria’s record in the National Sprint Championship is modest. In the previous 47 National Sprint Championships, Victorians have won just 11 times – seven times fewer than New South Wales – and none since Pure Octane won the 2005 title for Darren McDonald. Queensland has claimed three of the previous four titles and now has eight wins in the event.
The Victorian final will be conducted on Thursday 9 August ahead of the $75,000 to the winner Grand Final to be held at Hobart on Saturday 25 August – the first time since 1987 that Hobart will have hosted the event. For more information on the 2012 Nationals, visit http://www.tassiegreyhoundnationals.com.au.
Fields for the Victorian heats of the National Sprint Championship will be released on Monday 30 July.
Victorian Nominations for the 2012 National Sprint Championship
Greyhound
Trainer
Allen Elroy
Graeme Bate
Allen Hertz
Graeme Bate
Blackalls Boss
Michelle Mallia-Magri
Brenna Bale
Graeme Bate
Bubba’s Dream
Ken Bailey
Buddy Rioli
Stan Ralph
Carol Allen
Graeme Bate
Comic Sans
Kelly Bravo
David Bale
Graeme Bate
Don’t Knocka Him
Jason Thompson
Dyna Drago
Andrea Dailly
Dyna Iceman
Andrea Dailly
Dyna Lowell
Andrea Dailly
Dyna Morris
Andrea Dailly
Dyna Steal
Andrea Dailly
El Brooklyn
Jason Thompson
Fabregas
David Hirst
Flip Bale
Graeme Bate
Forever Strong
Cameron Taylor
Gettin Slizzard
Jeff Britton
Godsend
Jason Thompson
Gordon Bale
Graeme Bate
Grigorieva Bale
Andrea Dailly
Hackle Bale
Graeme Bate
Hannie Bale
Andrea Dailly
Heston Bale
Andrea Dailly
Hutmaker
Robert Britton
Ima Geisha Girl
Jason Thompson
Imry Bale
Graeme Bate
Jordy Pordy
Jeff Britton
Katie Merry
Kelly Bravo
Kevin Bale
Graeme Bate
Leeroy Rocker
Graeme Bate
Lektra Express
Andrea Dailly
Lektra Johnson
Andrea Dailly
Lektra Ottens
Andrea Dailly
Mepunga Geordie
Jeff Britton
Napthine Bale
Graeme Bate
Odie For Now
Kelvyn Greenough
Premier Boloney
Kelly Bravo
Proven Impala
Joe Borg
Razza Bale
Graeme Bate
Roy Galo
Stan Ralph
Ruby Ha Ha
Robert Neocleous
Sapporo
Tina Womann
Soda Boy
Peter Giles
Spiral Ballerina
David Baker
Streetbike Tommy
Andrea Dailly
Went Wooshka
Tina Womann
