Fanta Bale again named Australian GOTY


Champion stayer Fanta Bale has been named the Australian Greyhound of the Year for the second time.

Owned by Brendan Wheeler, Fanta Bale (David Bale x Ucme Typhoon) contested a phenomenal 11 group race finals through the 2017/18 racing season, winning seven including four at group 1 level. She was prepared throughout her career by Robert Britton who trained her to win 42 of her 63 career starts before retiring in March with an Australian record $1,365,715 in prize money.

“Fanta Bale has brought so much of the greyhound community together,” said co-owner Nicole Wheeler.

“To be able to involve our entire family in such a thrill. Thanks to Robert Britton and his team for the wonderful work they did, she couldn’t have been in better hands.”

She is the only greyhound in history to win at group one level over all three metropolitan distances, and her 653 career Greyhound Clubs Australia ranking points are second all-time behind Fernando Bale.

Fanta Bale joins Hall Of Fame inductee Miata as the only greyhound to twice be crowned the Greyhound of the Year.

The Greyhound of the Year is judged by the Greyhound Clubs Australia Racing Committee based on performances throughout the 2017/18 season. It was first awarded in 2002.

 

 

Australian Trainer of the Year
Tony Brett has been named the Australian Trainer of the Year for 2017/18.

The popular Queensland mentor had an exceptional year, winning three group 1 races including the Winter Cup, Brisbane Cup and National Sprint Championship, while also annexing the Lismore Cup, Gold Coast Cup and Geelong Cup.

“It’s quite unbelievable,” said Brett.

“To be able to go group racing with the dogs we’ve had is just amazing. I can’t believe the great run we’ve had, it’s a real honour to receive this award.”

The Trainer of the Year is voted on by the Greyhound Clubs Australia Racing Committee and is awarded based on a trainer’s success at group level for that racing season, as well as their conduct and promotion of the industry.

 

 

Greyhound Clubs Australia ‘Run of the Year’
Rockoon’s stunning victory in the group 1 Hume Cup was awarded the Greyhound Clubs Australia ‘Run of the Year’.

Bred, owned and trained by Keith Hellmuth, Rockoon began poorly from box 4 and was shuffled back near last in the 600m group 1 event before picking his way the field and unleashing a withering finishing burst to claim the $75,000 by 3½ lengths.

 

 

Sire of the Year
Barcia Bale has been named the 2017/18 Sire of the Year.

Barcia Bale is owned by Brendan Wheeler and stands at Meticulous Lodge under the care of Paul and Michelle Westerveld. The award is based on Greyhound Clubs Australia ranking points allocated based upon group racing results. Barcia Bale progeny earned 2038 points to finished ahead of Fernando Bale with 1871 points.

 

Dam of the Year
Aston Elle was named the Greyhound Clubs Australia dam of the year after her progeny accumulated 56 points to finish seven points ahead of last year’s winner Ucme Typhoon.

Owned by Ray Borda, Aston Elle’s most prominent offspring was TAB Melbourne Cup winner Aston Dee Bee who was also sired by Barcia Bale.

 

Hall of Fame inductees

Ron Nestor
Years of Involvement 1943 – 2006 (took pride in not being paid).
As a trainer, Nestor won his first race at Tatura in 1951. He trained winners at all the old tracks including the old Sandown Park when it was on the old racecourse site, Gracedale Park, North Melbourne, Olympic Park, Napier Park, Maribynong, White City, Nelson Park and Corio Parks in Geelong, Broadway Park in Ballarat, Warmambool and Wonthaggi. He won races behind the Pacemaker and the Tin Hare.

As an administrator, Ron’s involvement included:
• Director of the Greyhound Racing Control Board of Victoria (forerunner to GRV) for 22 years
• Joined the National Coursing Association executive in 1954 and became the treasurer in 1976, serving in that role until 1994.
• Served as NCA President 1994 – 2001
• Geelong committee member for 12 Years
• Sandown director 1999-2000
• Delegate and Treasurer of the Australian and New Zealand Greyhound Racing Association (now Greyhounds Australasia) for 32 years from 1967 to 1999
• Judged the Waterloo Cup for 27 years, from 1962 to 1989. He also slipped and judged the open field Coursing events from 1950’s until outlawed in 1964. He was the official clocker at Corio Park and Broadway Park tracks on a voluntary basis.
• Awarded Australian Sports Medal in 2000 for his contribution to Greyhound Racing.
• Life Member of both the SGRC and MGRA.

Frances Colleen
Whelped October 1924
Brindle and white bitch by Sir Francis from Colleen Rose
Owed by Mr Parker J. Hogan
A distinguished Coursing career saw her win 1926 SA Sires Produce Stake, 1926 Freeling Cup, 1926 SA St Leger and the 1927 Great Northern Cup

Breeding and stats consultant Alan Capper thinks her appropriate title would be “The Mother of the Australian Greyhound”

The annual GCA Gala Awards evening was held at the Langham Hotel on Melbourne’s Southbank and included a presentation to connections of the finalists of the Crocmedia National Championships to be held at Sandown Park on Friday 24 August.

Click here for more information about the Crocmedia National Championships

 

 

Mick Floyd
About Mick Floyd - Mick is the Racing and Media Manager at Sandown Park and has 15 years of experience in the sport. He has a finely tuned talent for finding three legs of a quaddie. You can follow his ramblings on Twitter - @mickfloyd
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