Shootout runners: The numbers that matter


There aren’t many races that create as much debate and interest than the Shootout.

Since its introduction in 1998 it’s been considered as Australia’s speed championship and you only have to scan over the past winners to realise it’s exactly that. The honour roll is made up of some of the fastest greyhounds we’ve ever seen and this year’s winner won’t be out of place.

The four that do battle this Thursday have set crazy times wherever they have gone, but how do their numbers at Sandown Park stack up?

The first split.

History of the Shootout suggests it is vitally important to be on the pace. It is difficult to say the least to run down greyhounds setting hot splits and a time of low 29s. Shima Shine clearly holds the best first split – just 0.03 seconds outside of the record – set when he became the second fastest ever at the track.

Rank Name Best Average
1 Shima Shine 4.93 (July 23) 5.09 (10 starts)
2 Tiggerlong Tonk 5.03 (January 9) 5.12 (20 starts)
3 Hard Style Rico 5.06 (April 2) 5.16 (6 starts)
4 Christo Bale 5.14 (June 11) 5.20 (5 starts)

Speed map based on their splits above

The back split.

This is where the stronger ones start to make their case, just like we saw last year with Hooked On Scotch looming up to Whiskey Riot. This year it’ll be the point of time where it’s make or break for one like Christo Bale – will he be close enough or will one like Shima Shine be off and gone?

1 Shima Shine 18.43 (July 23)
2 Tiggerlong Tonk
18.58 (January 1)
3 Hard Style Rico 18.66 (April 2)
4 Christo Bale 18.80 (May 28)

Between those splits.

The burn that they can show over the 262m between the first split beam and the back.

1 Shima Shine 13.50 (July 23)
2 Tiggerlong Tonk 13.51 (April 9)
3 Hard Style Rico 13.60 (April 2)
4 Christo Bale 13.63 (May 28)

The run home.

This is the area more attractive for Christo Bale, but he will need to be close enough to strike.

1 Christo Bale 10.41 (May 28)
2 Shima Shine 10.52 (July 23)
3 Tiggerlong Tonk 10.52 (April 16)
4 Hard Style Rico 10.65 (April 2)

What are they capable of?

Here’s the numbers with the best splits combined in all areas of the track.

1 Shima Shine 28.95
2 Tiggerlong Tonk 29.06
3 Christo Bale 29.18
4 Hard Style Rico 29.31

What the numbers don’t tell us? Track position.

It’s absolutely vital when they go past the post the first time. They aren’t robots and aren’t all going to produce what the numbers above suggest!

Will Christo Bale set a better first split than expected with clear running on the fence? Will Hard Style Rico reproduce an effort like his stunning RSN Silver Bullet win at The Meadows? Are we underating how good Tiggerlong Tonk can be? Will Shima Shine lead and could he break the track record?

They will all be answered at 8pm tomorrow night.

The $25,000 winner-take-all Shootout is the feature on a ripping night of racing. We will also see 10 Preludes of the TAB Melbourne Cup with greyhounds vying for a spot in next Friday’s Cup heats.

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Jason Adams
About Jason Adams - Racing Operations Coordinator at Sandown Park. Over 8 years involvement in greyhound racing and one of the sport's biggest and most passionate fans.
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