The latest Victorian news in the world of greyhound racing is published every Saturday in Melbourne’s highest selling newspaper, the Herald Sun. Read about the Winter Cup, the McKenna Memorial, the WA Oaks & more.

[divider] [/divider]

BRITTON TRIPLE TEAM

Oakvale Destiny ($1.80fav) is a huge chance to become a dual group race winner before the age of two when she lines up from Box 1 in the $57,000 WA Oaks (530m) at Cannington on Saturday night.

Having won the Group 1 Sapphire Crown at Sandown Park in May, Oakvale Destiny is one of four Victorian-trained greyhounds to have made the Oaks final, including one of three from Jeff Britton’s team.

“I currently train the best batch of female greyhounds I’ve ever had, and all three of my finalists are super fast greyhounds,” Britton said.

“Oakvale Destiny is probably the quickest of them, although Mepunga Hayley (Box 4) has also shown some amazing speed at Sandown Park, winning three times there in the best time of the night including a brilliant win in 29.29sec.”

“When you’ve got greyhounds of that quality you’ve got to be prepared to travel and try to win big races like this.”
Having earned their places in the Oaks final following last weekend’s heats, Britton has left his star trio in WA this week with sister Linda, who is one of that state’s leading trainers, before heading west himself on Thursday.

Mepunga Moss (Britton) and Liara Allen (Steve Collins) are the other Victorian-trained greyhounds chasing the $40,000 first prize, while the Anakie trainer has identified two other finalists as serious threats.

Incidentally, the four heat winners all won in times within one length of each other, making it an even race, on paper at least.

“Free Candy (Box 2) was the fastest heat winner while I know that Chica Destacada (Box 5) trialled really fast at Cannington recently, so there are a few chances,” Britton said.

The WA Oaks is scheduled to be run at 8:30pm (local time) on Saturday night.
[divider] [/divider]
NOTE: Local greyhound Free Candy won the WA Oaks with Jeff Britton’s trio finishing second, third & fourth.
RESULTS: CLICK HERE
REPLAY: CLICK HERE (scroll across to Race 5)

[divider] [/divider]

XYLIA EDGES ONE PLACE CLOSER

Xylia Allen has moved into second place on Australia’s all-time highest prize money earners list after winning a heat of the McKenna Memorial (595m) at Sandown Park on Thursday night.

The Jenny Hunt-trained greyhound has now won $635,000, surpassing Destini Fireball ($631,000), and well within sight of retired Western Australian sweetheart Miata ($715,000).

Xylia Allen has drawn Box 1 in Thursday night’s Group 2 McKenna Memorial final, where she’ll be a hot favourite to add the $40,000 first prize to her name.

FULL STORY: CLICK HERE

[youtube youtubeurl=”_cLvmJtdm3w” ][/youtube]

[divider] [/divider]

LOCAL WINS WINTER CUP

Darren McDonald was right on the money when declaring local greyhound Flash Reality the one to beat in last Thursday night’s Group 1 Winter Cup (520m) at Albion Park.

McDonald was the only Victorian trainer with a greyhound in the race – Awesome Project – who was the $2.00 favourite with TAB fixed odds, however he finished fourth.

Incidentally, Buckle Up Wes, the 2014 Australian Cup winner from Tasmania, finished second, with Love Kills third.

Flash Reality, trained by Tony Brett, won in a sizzling 29.71sec (Best of Night) from Box 8, exactly the same time he ran when recording the fastest heat time a week earlier.

He collected a $75,000 first prize.

RESULTS: CLICK HERE

[divider] [/divider]

FORMER CHAMP NO LONGER WITH US

Former star of the track Hooded Assassin (Awesome Assassin – Our Jessica) passed away recently, aged 13.

Trained in Gippsland by John Adlam, the greyhound amassed 33 wins and 35 placings from 122 starts before his retirement in 2007 when almost six years of age.

HOODED ASSASSIN’S RACE RECORD: CLICK HERE

[divider] [/divider]

COURSING THIS SUNDAY

Melton Coursing Club will host its main event of the year this Sunday, the Sylvester Doyle Puppy Championship.

FIELDS: CLICK HERE
[divider] [/divider]
PIC: Oakvale Destiny with trainer Jeff Britton. Photographer Clint Anderson.