Coursing numbers continue to skyrocket with this Sunday’s meeting at Lang Lang attracting a 43 per cent increase in nominations on the corresponding meeting last year.
There is strong evidence that a growing number of Victorian trainers are realising the benefits of giving their younger greyhounds experience on the coursing circuit, where they can gain confidence from competing against just one other competitor.
“The feature event is the Sylvester Doyle Puppy Championship, which has attracted young puppies from all areas of Victoria,” said Sue Delaney, Secretary of the National Coursing Association of Victoria. “We’re also running the Gippsland Cup for Maiden greyhounds, which has attracted full fields.”
In 2018, puppy coursing events such as the Sylvester Doyle are open to greyhounds born on or after 1 March, 2016.
Meanwhile, a number of coursing’s more seasoned coursers will also be in action on Sunday, with the Ray Boundy Memorial to also be conducted.
“The Ray Boundy Memorial is packed full of successful coursing dogs coming from the past couple of seasons including Johnnie Red (Russell McRae), the ‘Tally Ho’ dogs (Annette Kampman) and the ever-consistent Night Attack (Ian Rilen), who was runner-up to Better Than This in last year’s Waterloo Cup. Cullquin Bomber (Richard Anchen), Gotham Queen (Sean Lithgow), pictured in red collar, and Kid Ringo (Russell McRae) are others who should hold their own in this event,” Delaney added.
The Sylvester Doyle Puppy Championship will be held over two days, with the concluding meeting to be held at Lang Lang on Sunday, 24 June.
