Dundee Osprey has been named the Sandown Greyhound Racing Club’s 2016 Greyhound of the Year.
A winner of three group 1 races and in excess of $450,000 in career prize money, Dundee Osprey excelled at Sandown Park in 2016.
His first run at the track in 2016 was an inauspicious seventh over 595m on Sunday 24 January. After two solid wins at Cranbourne, Dundee Osprey returned to Sandown on Thursday 18 February and on the final race of the night, clocked a stunning 12½ length win in 29.109 over 515m.
“I nearly fell over when he began so well, though he has been beginning a bit better lately – with a clear run he goes really well,” said his owner, trainer and breeder Geoff Scott-Smith following the win.
It was sign of things to come for the 35kg son of Fabregas. After reaching the final of the group 2 Launching Pad and contesting the group 3 Speed Star a fortnight later, Dundee Osprey won his heat of the group 1 Harrison-Dawson. Despite his impressive 29.31 heat win (his slowest ever win at the venue), he was sent to the boxes a 25/1 chance for the $145,000 final and would defeat a quality field by 3½ lengths.
His versatility shone through when he ran second over 595m in the McKenna Memorial before again switching back to the sprint to win the Speed Star in September. He’d go on to run third in the group 2 Shootout, win the Listed Cup Night Sprint, and run a fast finishing second in the group 3 Sir John Dillion, again over 595m.
In all, Dundee Osprey would contest an incredible eight feature events at Sandown Park in 2016. From 17 starts during the year Dundee Osprey won seven (including three feature finals) and with seven minor placings earned him over $195,000 in prize money. Amazingly, all six of his wins over 515m were in 29.31 or faster.
“I knew he was a good dog and had a lot of ability, I knew he was going to eventually come up against all these good dogs but I wasn’t sure if he’d be able to handle it. Since then he’s proved that he can match and beat the best,” said Scott-Smith after claiming the Speed Star in September.
Dundee Osprey was a unanimous choice for the Sandown Greyhound of the Year. The Greyhound of the Year is decided by a vote of the club directorate based on performances at the track through the 2016 calendar year. Polijuice Potion and Zambora Brockie were also acknowledged for their performances in 2016.
Dundee Osprey wins the group 1 Harrison Dawson
Dundee Osprey’s 2016 record at Sandown Park
| Record: | 17 starts 7-4-3 |
| Prize money: | $195,880 |
| Best time (515m): | 29.11 |
| Ave winning time: | 29.24 (six wins) |
| Best time (595m): | 33.87 |
| Feature finals: | WON G1 Harrison-Dawson |
| WON Listed Cup Middle Distance | |
| WON Speed Star | |
| 2nd G2 McKenna Memorial | |
| 2nd G3 Sir John Dillon | |
| 3rd G2 Shootout | |
| 7th G2 Launching Pad | |
| 8th G3 Bill Collins Speed Star | |
| Other: | Eight feature finals |
| All six of his 515m wins were in 29.31 or faster | |
| Six of his wins were in Best Of Night | |
| Has won or placed in his last 11 Sandown Park starts | |
| Also ran second in a Melbourne Cup heat |
Dundee Osprey the fastest in the land following his Speed Star win
Sandown Greyhound of the Year Honour Roll
| Year | Greyhound |
| 2002 | Boomeroo |
| 2003 | Arvo’s Junior |
| 2004 | Whisky Assassin |
| 2005 | Closing Argument |
| 2006 | Betty’s Angel |
| 2007 | Shanlyn Prince |
| 2008 | Fallen Zorro |
| 2009 | Amity Bale |
| 2010 | El Grand Senor |
| 2011 | Bobby Boucheau |
| 2012 | Irma Bale |
| 2013 | Xylia Allen |
| 2014 | Sweet It Is |
| 2015 | Fernando Bale |
| 2016 | Dundee Osprey |
