The year that was 2013 produced many memorable moments at Sandown Park, from outstanding racing on the track to fashion shows off it, 2013 had it all.
Tomac Bale kick started an impressive year in which he won five races starting with the Group 3 Launching Pad and finishing with the Listed Cup Night Sprint.
The Group 1 RSN Sandown Cup was a race for the ages, with just three lengths covering the first seven finishers. Irma Bale clung onto victory to claim her second RSN Sandown Cup which would also be Miata’s swan song, bowing out in terrific fashion by storming home for third.
Proven Impala claimed the McKenna Memorial in one of the most exciting finishes of the year. Only the judge could separate Proven Impala and RSN Sandown Cup Champion Irma Bale, with Proven Impala prevailing.
Just a nose separated Brooke Ennis’ Dashing Man from runner up Gambo Girl in the Group 3 Sir John Dillon, making it back to back wins for the Ennis kennel, following husband Jamie’s win with Shelly Shelby in 2012.
In 2013 Xylia Allen was the only greyhound to win multiple Group races at Sandown Park in 2013. Producing one of the greatest runs ever seen, she rounded up the field from a near last to claim the Group 1 Macro Meats Sapphire Crown. The Group 3 Macro Meats Shootout, uncharacteristically springing out of the box to make the race her own and claim the $50,000 winner-take-all prize in a scintillating race record of 29.07. Xylia Allen would later be named the 2013 Sandown Greyhound of the Year.
Rob Britton claimed his first Group 1 SOLO Bold Trease with Cheetah Zorro, a race won by her dam Fallen Zorro in 2008. In another thrilling finish, the first five finishers over the line separated by just one length.
Black Magic Opal was running in hot form prior to the TAB Melbourne Cup, entering the series on the back of three track records in his three previous starts. The champ made it back to back TAB Melbourne Cups for master trainer Jason Thompson, and his third overall.
A massive crowd of over 5,000 were on hand to witness the greyhound racing spectacular, described as ‘’one of the most enjoyable racing events I have ever been to, any code’’, by RSN Racing and Sport personality Shane Anderson.
For the second year running $500,000 was up for grabs for one lucky patron on the Sandown big wheel, though lucky winner Keith could only manage to take home $10,000.
The Group race calendar concluded when NSW raider Ritza Hattie impressively led all of the way in taking out the Group 2 Macro Meats Laurels for owner/trainer, Mark Gatt.
It was an overseas invasion with former Kiwi Clone Your Own taking out the Group 2 Berwick Mazda Harrison-Dawson, and Razldazl Luke becoming the first Irish greyhound to win at Sandown Park after being sent down under by leading Irish trainer, Dolores Ruth.
Amazingly, there were two races throughout 2013 where runners finished in box draw order, one being in the Group 2 Berwick Mazda Harrison-Dawson, the other being heat four of the TAB Melbourne Cup won by Proven Maddy.
Off the track, the Club Challenge rolled out for another year, with hundreds of sporting clubs getting involved and raising money for their respective club.
Vegas Nights were again a success with patrons having fun and winning great prizes on our casino games with their Sandown dollars. Elvis also put on a show for all involved.
Sandown Park turned pink with the 50 Shades of Greyhound’s Ladies Night.The night included a fashion parade, live music and TAB’s Jaimee Rogers, while raising money for the McGrath Foundation. One of the fastest men on the planet Asafa Powell made his way down to Sandown Park for the Easter Fun Kids Night with hundreds of kids participating in the Easter egg hunt, Beat the Bunny and Owner for the Day.
This year promises to be the best yet on and off the track, starting with the Sensational Summer for Kids in Janurary, followed by the Judy Hayley Memorial series in February.
