Greyhound racing in Victoria’s North East started with Bendigo Friday, followed by Healesville Sunday and Shepparton Monday Night, with the feature being the Christmas Cup at Healesville.

The most impressive winner on the card for mine at Bendigo was All In Boston breaking his maiden in Race 3. He had been sound in his first two outings, but drawing the outside was the key to him scoring his first win. His issue is that he isn’t fast away, but in getting clear running on Friday he was able to quickly charge into the race before he powered away for a big win in 24.15.

I think he might end up developing into quite a nice stayer. Here is his win…

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Next up was the big Christmas Cup program at Healesville on Sunday and the feature race was won by the extremely talented Nunya Tron. A winner of the Warrnambool Classic from earlier this year, he has excelled at his past few starts up the straight, culminating in a come from behind win on Sunday beating Bejay The Dejay and Call Me Hank.

Prepared by Simon Barker (pictured top), he has now won 15 of his 29 starts and just over $113,000 in prize money.

He isn’t the most reliable of beginners but he has power and strength and he will win more big races, that is a given. Here is the Christmas Cup Final…

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Also of note at Sunday’s meeting was the win of Dragon Glass in Race 4. Making his debut for Charles Mercieca, he pinged away to lead before sizzling up the straight in 19.13, which was the fastest time of the day – and he won by 10 lengths! He will be winning plenty of races if he can keep repeating that performance.

Shepparton on Monday night wrapped up the week and the pick of the night was the win of Nocturnal in the first. He was up against his kennelmate, the well-bred Santa Sangre, who started favourite, but Nocturnal left him stone cold in his wake.

Firing out of Box 4, he led easily before romping away for a dominant win in the fast time of 25.32. Having been placed at his first two starts, he put it all together on Monday night and might just be Jimmy and Tanya Auld’s next star dog. This is Nocturnal’s stunning win on Monday night.

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The other nice run of the night belonged to Proven Chops in Race 8. A very consistent dog, he broke a string of placings when dead heating at Warragul last week, but on Monday Night he scored an easy win.

Jumping well from Box 4 he found the rail which was the key to him. Challenged on the turn, he answered strongly running away to win well in 25.47.

Trained by Ben Divirgilio, he is a dog you can back with confidence because he always tries his absolute best.

So that wraps up not only the past week but also the year in the North East. It was a terrific year with some brilliant performances, none better than Fernando Bale’s brilliant Bendigo Cup win.

Until next year I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

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