It’s been 50 years since Sandown Park held its first National Championship, but the winner that year may still be one of the best value purchases ever made in greyhound racing.
Princess Kerry, a $100 purchase as a pup, won the sprint title on 2 October that year and took her prize money beyond $11,000. To put that in to context, the record prize money holder at that time was Roman Earl with $17,455, a figure that would be eclipsed by the great Zoom Top later that month (and would finish her career with $59,032).
The 1968 National Championship was the fourth time the event had been conducted. It was run over the 555 yard distance – an event for the stayers would be introduced in 1969 (more on that below) – in a time of 31 and 2/16ths. The series carried a total of $15,000 in prize money with the winner banking $4000. The Melbourne Cup that year carried $10,000 with $1,000 to the winner, while the Melbourne Greyhound Racing Association would announce that November that the 1969 Australian Cup would carry $17,000 in prize money, making it the richest race in the land, eclipsing the Vic Peters Memorial Classic at Harold Park by $750. Entries for the 1969 Australian Cup could be made for $1.
Princess Kerry set the track alight when winning her semi-finals at both Olympic Park and at Sandown Park, and the diminutive Camperdown trained chaser started favourite in the final despite drawing box 8. Here is how the Sporting Globe’s Jim Bugden reported the race.
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Princess a bargain
Lightning speed from starting boxes was the main factor in Princess Kerry’s win in the final of the $15,000 National Championships at Sandown greyhounds on Thursday night.
She’d won her way to the final and favouritism by winning the start in both her semi-finals at Olympic Park and Sandown and clocking much faster times than her rivals.
The $4000 cheque, $500 trophy and the expensively designed rug she received took her stake earnings to over $11,000.
Princess Kerry has already multiplied her sale price by 110. Heywood farmer – owner Claude Skipworth acting on impulse bought her as a puppy for $100 from Ringwood breeders Mr and Mrs Jack Lee.
He had accompanied a friend, Charles Priest to Melbourne to buy a dog pup by Saskaview from Romany Royal he’d seen advertised in the Sporting Globe
Good Pick
Mr Priest was not interested when the dog pups had been sold and there were only three bitches left. However Mr Skipworth asked the breeders to pick out one for him and Princess Kerry was the result.
Since she started racing she’s won the Bendigo Cup, Olympic Park New Year Gift, Victorian Sprint Championship and Victorian Country Championship and now the National Championship.
Between victories she also won a car valued at $2000, the prize at a recent Olympic Park Charity Night.
Bob Skeyhill, who trains her at Camperdown also claims that she should have won the Hobart Thousand. She won her way into the final but drew No. 10 box and was badly checked at the start.
Thursday’s Championship win was clear cut. The Princess led out, beat Palatinus and Second Stage to the first turn and then was never in danger. Her time wasn’t fast but the track was very heavy.
Princess Kerry’s next big mission is the $10,000 Melbourne Cup at Sandown Park next month.
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The trophy (pictured above with current Sandown chairman Neil Brown) was presented by the Minister for Immigration (later leader of the federal Liberal Party) and coursing fan, Sir Billy Snedden, and is on exhibition in the display case at Sandown Park. Princess Kerry is the only Victorian winner in seven Sprint Championships held at Sandown Park.
Here’s a snapshot of what else was making news in the world of greyhound racing from September to November, 1968:
Dogs lead with TAB
Greyhound racing made a greater percentage increase in Victorian Totalisator Agency Board turnover in the past year than either racing or trotting.
Stipendiary Steward
Applications are called for the position as a full time Stipendiary Steward with the Dog Racing Control Board of Victoria.
Commencing salary of $60.00 per week, essential applicants have car, travelling allowance granted. Age of applicants and experience if any, to be stated
Age Limit For Review
This week’s annual conference of the Commonwealth Greyhound Association will discuss a minimum starting age of 16 months to apply throughout Australia.
It is considered that youngsters have hardly matured before this age and control would reduce uneducated runners.
A national distance championship along the lines of the present national championship for sprinters will also be discussed. It is felt that more big races in the various states would help greyhound promotion. The race is planned for the autumn.
Wider cover for country
Arrangements have been made to give a wider coverage of greyhound broadcasts to country punters.
As from October 3, both the Olympic Park and Sandown meetings will be relayed to country stations 3HA, 3TR, 3SH, and 3NE. Punters will be able to listen to racing at the same time as city patrons.
Quinella
An attractive prospect for punters is the likely introduction of Quinella betting soon. Only greyhound racing is not provided with Quinella betting at present.
It should bring a substantial rise in turnover.
Reduction in the time allowed for betting has had a beneficial effect on TAB receipts. Phone betting us a long way ahead of last year’s figures.
Country agencies have shown increases in greyhound wagering. In 1967 $1,457,560 was put through.
Sept 18 1968
Last week at Sandown more than $230,000 was invested in a new record off-course greyhound betting. Olympic Park also passed the $200,000 mark for the first time.
Fly To A Classic
Australian greyhound racing enthusiasts will have a chance to watch the world’s richest dog race in Florida, USA in 1969.
It is the final of the $125,000 International Greyhound Classic at Flagler, Florida. An all-inclusive 30-day tour by air for $1000 is offered.
The tour, being sponsored by the BOAC airline in conjunction with a Sydney firm, is planned for the end of June or early July.
The 1969 race will banner Australia as a nation having played a major part in promoting the sport.
Tote clerk over pays
A tote payout clerk overpaid a punter $161.50 on two quinella tickets at Sandown greyhounds on Thursday night and is appealing for the return of the money.
The mistake occurred when No’s 2 and 3 won consecutive quinellas in the third and fourth events.
The tickets were for the third event dividend of 70 cents and were presented a race later when the dividend was $33.
The young clerk, who is working to earn extra money for his wedding in January, will have to make good the loss unless the punter comes forward
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Let’s hope the young clerk got that money back!
The 2018 Crocmedia National Championships will be run at Sandown Park on Friday 24 August. Click here for details.
