Throughout 2020 we’ve seen some phenomenal performances and heart warming human interest stories at Sandown Park.
It’s been a different year but fortunately for the sport it’s remained in full swing. As we close in on the end of 2020, here are my top 5 memorable Sandown Park moments.
5. Here’s Tears’ 715m track record
Many considered Miata’s 41.17 benchmark as one of those ‘untouchable’ records. Here’s Tears broke it with a 41.16 on a night conducive for fast times with very warm and calm conditions but you’ve still got to do it and he was awesome. He went on to have a great year at the top echelon of the staying ranks.
4. Black Opium’s Sapphire Crown
Wasn’t it deserved. The first G1 win of her career after placing in the TAB Melbourne Cup, Australian Cup, Brisbane Cup and a finalist in the Golden Easter Egg, Perth Cup, Million Dollar Chase and Topgun.
Since the later part of 2018 she was one of Australia’s premier female sprinters up until her recent retirement. The Thompson and Buccilli team have teamed up to win many big races in the past but I’d say this was one of the more special ones.
3. Houdini Boy’s ‘600’ metre debut
This was massive. One of the hype greyhounds of the country stepping up in trip for the first time in a field that included Hooked On Scotch. The Houdini was last at the post the first time past, checked turning to the back and still won in ripping time. It was the moment where everyone acknowledged he could be one of the sport’s star stayers.
2. Unwanted Lady’s Judy Hayley Memorial win
She gave trainer Brooke Berry and great friend Mandy Shaw their most memorable moment in the sport. Mandy owned Unwanted Lady and it was a moment that she richly deserved as she was in a tough battle with cancer at the time. We unfortunately lost Mandy later in the year.
1. TAB Melbourne Cup
Not only the biggest moment of the year but one of the biggest moments the sport has seen. A track record broken in the world’s greatest greyhound race, it doesn’t get any bigger than that.
Equal to the win was the emotion and celebration that followed from Luckie Karabitsakos. The plan was for me to get a comment from him on Sky Racing but that was near impossible – he was off! But could anything I’d ask him trump what we were seeing? No way, they were iconic scenes.
What are your memorable Sandown Park moments of 2020? Feel free to let us know via our social channels!
