Group 1 Glory Awaits in Super Finals - MEDIA RELEASE - Greyhound Clubs Australia
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MEDIA RELEASE
19th May 2018
Group 1 Glory Awaits in Super Finals
Tornado Tears showed why he is regarded one of the most exciting stayers of his generation with a dazzling
display in a heat of the RSN Sandown Cup last night.
Tornado Tears entered the night as the $2.50 favourite to win the final of world’s richest race stayers and quickly
showed why. In the most eagerly anticipated heat of the night billed as a two-dog battle between litter mates
Tornado Tears and Rippin’s Sam, Tornado Tears found the early lead and made the race his own.
Railing strongly to lead through the first turn, he quickly established a four-length break with a lap to go. Known
as ‘Batman’ due to his distinctive markings, Tornado Tears continued to increase his lead while carving out
stunning sectionals before stopping the clock in 41.297 seconds – the fourth fastest time ever run over the trip.
“He’s almost the perfect stayer. Early speed finishes it off – you can’t ask for any more. I reckon with the right
conditions he might give the record a nudge,” said handler Peter Riley, six years to the day after champion Miata
set the time standard of 41.17.
Rippin’ Sam, a group winner considered by
many as the best stayer in the country, will also
take his place in the $250,000 final next
Thursday after charging home late to finish
second nearly six lengths adrift.
“He made up a fair bit of ground, but when
they’re running that quick in front – dogs don’t
come from behind to run times like that.”
Remarkably, it was just Tornado Tears’ second
start over the distance. His first came four
weeks prior and went within a half a length of
Miata’s long-standing record and that run took
the white and black chaser some time to
recover. Given his limited preparation over the
testing 715m journey, trainer Robert Britton
was cautious about Tornado Tears’ prospects in next Thursday’s final – especially if he draws a wide box.
“I reckon the first two or three days after they get home you get an idea of how they recover. Some dogs do it
easily, but other than Rippin’s Sam most of my dogs have been running over shorter distances. It’s a tough ask
going over the distance with an unseasoned stayer, especially when they put in such gut busters each run,” he
said.
Continued Page 2…
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“I don’t think he’s got the brilliance early (to settle near the lead if he does draw wide). His second and third
sections are great, but I don’t think his first section is that great. There’s pace in the race with the likes of Dyna
Chancer and Benali, I’d love to see him drawn inside of them.”
It was a memorable night for Britton who won three of the four RSN Sandown Cup hears. Quick Jagger and Benali
also made their way through to $250,000 final after winning their respective heats giving Britton a four-pronged
attack on a second consecutive RSN Sandown Cup. Dyna Chancer was the other heat on his staying debut,
stopping the clock in a smart 41.67.
Two high quality fields have been assembled for next Thursday’s group 1 Harrison-Dawson and Sapphire Crown
finals.
Four heats of each series were conducted last night at Sandown Park with the top two of each advancing to next
week’s deciders.
The night kicked off with heat 1 of the Harrison-Dawson which saw Not Available continue his strong Speed Star
form. He railed strongly to take out heat 1 from Bernardo in a best of the night time of 29.25.
Heat 2 saw David Geall’s hot talent My Redeemer run down Alpha Georgiou. The win took My Redeemer’s
winning strike rate to 50% from his 22 career starts.
Australian Cup hero Hecton Bale was powerful when taking out Harrison-Dawson heat 3. He ran down a gallant
Zipping Captain to win by ½ a length.
Hasten Slowly took out the final heat from comeback-kid Shadale.
Dyna Patty (pictured) kicked off the Sapphire Crown series in fine style when she took out the opening heat. She
virtually led all of the way to defeat Wynburn Cutie in 29.34 – the fastest of the Sapphire Crown heats.
Go Seek Heidi and Envy Heist fought out a thriller in the second heat, with Go Seek Heidi prevailing by the barest
of margins.
Harry Manolitsis’ Elevated was terrific producing her best in the penultimate Sapphire Crown heat. She began
well and used box 1 to her advantage, holding off a late charge from New South Wales’ star sprinter Miss
Splendamiro.
Joe Borg’s Come On Emmaline took out the closer, from Ocean View who will be the first ever group 1 finalist for
trainer Peter Martinovic.
The Harrison-Dawson series is exclusive for male greyhounds only, while the Sapphire Crown is a female
greyhound only event.
Be on course for a chance to win over $100,000 in cash and prizes, meet AFL star Trent Cotchin and Majak Daw,
and enjoy one of greatest night of racing for the year.
Paw Note:
It was a landmark night for former champion sprinter Fernando Bale, whose progeny won seven of the 12 group
1 heats run.
Three of the four fastest times run over the 715m trip have been recorded in a heat of the RSN Sandown Cup.
The RSN Sandown Cup race record is held by Sweet It Is in 41.489 – the 10th fastest time ever run.
By Michael Floyd & Jason Adams Sandown Greyhound Racing Club Media.
GROUP ONE – RSN SANDOWN CUP $175,000 to the winner
Box Draw and Tab Sportsbet Fixed Prices for the RSN Sandown Cup 715:
$175,000 to the winner Group 1 RSN Sandown Cup Final 715m
Box Greyhound Trainer Price B/T
Benali Robert Britton $5.50 41.89
Zipping Nitro Ian Garland $81 41.98
Quick Jagger (WA) Robert Britton $21 42.10
Royal Intention Diane O’Neill $81 NBT
Dyna Chancer Corey Grenfell $12 41.67
Moment To Jive (WA) Sarah Appleton $17 NBT
Tornado Tears Robert Britton $1.70 41.20
Rippin’ Sam Robert Britton $3.20 41.48
Dundee Calypso (RES) Geoff Scott-Smith $51 41.74
Myrniong Corner (RES) Joe Borg $51 NBT
Local expert’s selections for the final are as follows.
Mick Floyd Jason Adams Rob Testa
1st Tornado Tears 1st Tornado Tears 1st Tornado Tears
2nd Quick Jagger 2nd Rippin’ Sam 2nd Rippin’ Sam
3rd Rippin’ Sam 3rd Benali 3rd Quick Jagger
What’s happening on race night?
It is always entertainment plus at a Sandown feature race night and the RSN Sandown Cup will be no exception.
The final night of the series features THREE group 1 finals on one of greyhound racing’s most exciting nights of
chasing!
Entry to the meeting is free, and dining packages are available for the final night of the carnival. Contact the club
on 03 9546 9511 to book your table.
RSN Sandown Cup Timeline
1963 - The race first run on the grass track over 785 yards. The race was then known as the Woolamai Cup
and had been first conducted in 1957 when won by Orialta.
1964 - A sand track is installed at Sandown Park
1971 - Prizemoney increases to $3,000 to the winner. Paul’s Thunder becomes the first greyhound to win two
Cups
1973 - Distance reduced to 718 metres. Lizrene claims her second Cup
1979 - Temlee sires the first off his three consecutive Cup winners
1981 - Prizemoney increases to $12,000 to the winner
1984 - Prizemoney increases to $20,000 to the winner. New Zealander Raurimu wins the Cup.
1986 - Bold Trease claims the first of his four Cups
1987 - Distance reduced to 716 metres
1989 - At five years of age, Bold Trease claims his fourth Cup in emphatic fashion, winning by eight lengths
1990 - Bold Trease narrowly misses the Cup final after emerging from retirement
1993 - Cup given Group 3 status
1995 - Cup upgraded to Group 2 status
1996 - Cup upgraded to Group 1 status. Prizemoney increases to $40,000 to the winner. Distance reduced to
715 metres following reconstruction of Sandown track
1999 - Radio Sport 927 becomes naming rights sponsor. Prizemoney increases to $50,000 to the winner.
Smart Attitude wins the race by 9.5 lengths, equalling Lizrene’s race record
2003 - Group 3 Lizrene Classic moved to April as a logical lead in to the Sandown Cup carnival
2004 - Proven Lethal wins in race record time of 42.12 seconds
2005 - Best Quoted holds off the fast finishing Texas Gold to claim her second group race victory inside a
month
2006 - Sargent Major leads all the way to win his first Group 1, he holds off a stout Turbo Uno this followed
the shock scratching Texas Gold.
2007 - Sandown Cup controversially declared a ‘No Race’ by stewards after Don Hazzard, the trainer of Sky
Hazzard, accidentally released the manual start lever.
2009 - Sandown Cup becomes the richest staying event ever offering a series worth $175,000 and first
time winner’s purse of $100,000.
2012 - The SGRC announces an increase to the 2013 Cup series with the race worth a record $177,500
with the winner to receive $125,000 making it the richest staying race in the world.
West Australian superstar Miata started the shortest priced favourite in the events history at $1.20 after
smashing the track record in her heat. However after missing the start badly she finished a gallant third
to the Graeme Bate trained Irma Bale, his first Sandown Cup winner.
2013 - Irma Bale defended her RSN Sandown Cup when she held off the fast finishing Bell Haven and the
gallant Miata in one of the most exciting finishes in the races rich history. The victory saw Irma Bale
become the fourth greyhound to win successive RSN Sandown Cups after Paul’s Thunder (1970-71),
Lizrene (1972-73) and Bold Trease (1986-89).
2014 - Sweet It Is booked her place in greyhound racing folklore with a dazzling last-to-first win in the 2014
Group 1 RSN Sandown Cup. A quarter of a century after the great Bold Trease claimed his fourth and
final Sandown Cup, Sweet It Is turned in a performance that matched any of the Warrnambool Warriors
four cup wins. It was an amazing effort form 10 lengths a drift, she gunned down the field in front of her
running away to win by a length and half.
2015 - Sweet It Is rewrote the record books at Sandown Park in 2015, defending her RSN Sandown Cup title
and becoming the sport’s highest earning greyhound in the process. Lining up in her 18th group final –
her 10th at group 1 level – Sweet It Is was sent to the boxes a $5.80 second favourite behind Space
Star ($1.30), and it was the latter that began brilliantly to take an early lead. From that point on is was
a matter of times and margins. The win improved her record to 18 wins from 58 starts and the $175,000
winner cheque took her prize money to an Australian record $828,515.
2016 - Bells Are Ringin caused one of the biggest upsets in group racing history when she defeated the
country’s best stayers in the RSN927 Sandown Cup. Sent to the boxes the 50/1 outsider, Bells Are
Ringin began well to cross to the rail and lead the field through the first turn. From there she was never
headed, finding the line two lengths clear of Who Dey ($10.20) in 42.02.
2017 - Fanta Bale ($4.60) laid claim to being one of the sport’s greatest ever chasers by registering a
breathtaking victory in the 2017 $250,000 RSN Sandown Cup. Fanta Bale and Midnight Elsa made their
moves down the back straight but with 150m to go, Fanta Bale still spotted the lamp lighter a four-length
margin. But the tenacious little chaser railed brilliantly running for home to surge past the gallant Dundee
Osprey and score by half a length in 41.87.RSN Sandown Cup Fact Sheet:
Name: RSN Sandown Cup
Status: Group 1
Distance: 715m
Prizemoney: $250,000 (1st: $175,000 + trophy and rug; 2nd: $50,000, 3rd: $25,000)
First run: 1963 (known as the Woolamai Cup, won by Briar View)
Race record: 41.48 – Sweet It Is, 2015
Biggest winning margin: 9.5 lengths – (Lizrene 1973, Smart Attitude 1989)
Smallest winning margin: Half head (Top Sovereign 1994, Boronia Blossom 1996)
Multiple Winners: 4 – Bold Trease (1986-89) 2 – Paul’s Thunder (1970-71)
2 – Lizrene (1972-73) 2- Irma Bale (2012-13) 2- Sweet It Is (2014-2015)
Going the distance: 1963 – 785 yards (grass)
1964 – 785 yards (sand)
1973 – 718 metres
1987 – 716 metres
1996 – 715 metres
Battle of the sexes: Males have won 9 of the last 18 Cups. Bitches the last 6.
When in doubt: Box 1 has provided 6 of the last 25 winners, though none since 2000.
RSN Sandown Cup Honour Roll
1957 Orialta, 1959 Woodford Chief, 1961 Plunkett’s Present, 1963 Briar View, 1964 Haleka Jewel,
1965 Venetian Court, 1966 Fawn Scout, 1967 Charlie Lee, 1968 Sprite of Egypt, 1969 Local Blend,
1970 Paul's Thunder, 1971 Paul's Thunder, 1972 Lizrene, 1973 Lizrene, 1974 Corcoran, 1975
Tammy Shanta, 1976 Brindle Norma, 1977 Rani's Copy, 1978 Kawati Boy, 1979 Miss Tema, 1980
Wynlee Wonder, 1981 Bianca Lee, 1982 Status Supreme, 1983 Lead Role, 1984 Raurimu, 1985
Tashla, 1986 Bold Trease, 1987 Bold Trease, 1988 Bold Trease, 1989 Bold Trease, 1990 Western
Creole, 1991 Pixie Eyes, 1992 Village Stomper, 1993 Eliza Dylan, 1994 Top Sovereign, 1995 Keon
Star, 1996 Boronia Blossom, 1997 Tonight’s Wish,1998 Red Mystique, 1999 Smart Attitude, 2000
Osti’s Joker, 2001 Bentley Babe, 2002 Jennev, 2003 Arvo’s Junior, 2004 Proven Lethal, 2005 Best
Quoted, 2006 Sargent Major, 2007 “No Race” 2008 Chinatown Lad, 2009 Mantra Lad, 2010 Next
Top Model, 2011 Bobby Boucheau, 2012 Irma Bale, 2013 Irma Bale, 2014 Sweet It Is, 2015 Sweet
It Is, 2016 Bells Are Ringin and 2017 Fanta Bale.
Current star sprinter Dyna Patty (Pic Clint Anderson)GROUP ONE – SAPPHIRE CROWN CLASSIC
$100,000 to the winner
Box Draw and Tab Sportsbet Fixed Prices for the Sapphire Crown
$100,000 to the winner Group 1 Sapphire Crown Classic 515m
Box Greyhound Trainer Price B/T
Wynburn Cutie (TAS) Kelvyn Greenough $5 NBT
Ocean View Peter Martinovic $51 29.80
Dyna Patty Andrea Dailly $2.60 29.23
Miss Splendamiro (NSW) Johannes Vanderburg $3.80 NBT
Elevated Harry Manolitsis $3.80 29.12
Go Seek Heidi Angela Langton $14 29.51
Come On Emmaline Joe Borg $21 29.59
Envy Heist Andrea Dailly $21 29.88
Flying Sparkles (RES) Seona Thompson $21 29.51
Zoom Out (RES) Michelle Mallia-Magri $12 29.56
Local expert’s selections for the final are as follows.
Mick Floyd Jason Adams Rob Testa
1st Dyna Patty 1st Dyna Patty 1st Dyna Patty
2nd Miss Splendamiro 2nd Miss Splendamiro 2nd Wynburn Cutie
3rd Wynburn Cutie 3rd Wynburn Cutie 3rd Elevated
History and Event Timeline for the Sapphire
1974 Race first run as the Sir Arthur Rylah Sapphire Classic on 7 February 1974 over 513m. Race is
worth $1,450 to the winner, Bristol Sue
1976 Prizemoney increases to $3,600 to the winner
1986 1985 Melbourne Cup winner Sydney Dingaan becomes the only dog to take the Melbourne Cup –
Sapphire Classic double
1987 Race distance decreased to 511m
1989 Race is run twice, in January as the Sandown Sapphire Classic, and in July as the Sandown
Auction Classic
1990 Race is renamed the Sandown Sapphire Classic and moved to April. Prizemoney increases to
$8,000 to the winner
1995 Prizemoney increases to $14,000 to the winner
1996 Race elevated to Group 3 status. Prizemoney increases to $15,000. Race distance increases to
515m following Sandown Park track reconstruction
1997 Race elevated to Group 2 status. Prizemoney increases to $30,000 to the winner. Legendary sire
Token Prince takes out the race
1999 Ashlee Jeannine wins the race in 29.74 seconds – a race record
2000 Race elevated to Group 1 status. Prizemoney increases to $40,000 to the winner. Dutchy’s Angel
equals Ashlee Jeannine’s race record 29.74
2002 Race is renamed the Sapphire Crown Classic and conditions changed to bitches only. The race is
also moved to November and is included in Sandown’s Superdog series. Prizemoney increases
to $50,000 to the winner
2003 AGRA Hall of Famer Bogie Leigh claims her third Group race win for the year in taking out the
event by a race record 7.5 lengths
2004 Sandown introduces a $10,000 bonus to any bitch who can win the G1 Laurels Classic - G1
Sapphire Crown Classic double. After taking out the Laurels Classic by 7.25 lengths in 29.58, Paua
To Burn completes the double after starting the Sapphire Crown Classic a $1.60 favourite2005 After beginning well from the awkward box 5, Paua To Burn blitzes her rivals and defends her
Sapphire Crown Classic title by a race record 10.25 lengths. The win was Paua To Burn’s fourth
Group 1 victory
2006 Betty’s Angel wins her first Group 1, with litter sister Leprechaun Pace running third. Betty’s Angel
would go on to win the Group 1 Schweppes Melbourne Cup, defeating another litter sister, Miss
Mini Mouse.
2007 The final becomes a family affair with Que Sera Sera winning for Angela Langton and brother-in-
law Robert Britton training both One Tree Hill and Tasman Queen into the placings
2008 Queen Lauryn overcomes a number of off-track issues to win her first Group 1 in dominant display
from box 2.
2009 2009 Victorian and Australian Greyhound of the Year Cindeen Shelby added another Group 1
trophy to the mantel piece with a convincing win in a fast 29.72 a race record.
2010 Race not run due to a change in the AGRA calendar and was held over to its new time slot in June
2011 replacing the Laurels which was moved to December.
2011 Evergreen sprinter Amakler Girl ($7.40) upstaged her younger rivals when as the oldest runner in
the field, she jumped straight to the lead from box one and was never headed, she defeated fast-
finishing favourite Tonneli Bale ($3.60) by 1¼ lengths in 29.70.
2012 Jason Thompson’s golden 2012 continued when Peggy May led all the way to claim the 2012
Group 1 Macro Meats Sapphire Crown. Showing her customary early speed, she led into the first
turn and raced away down the back to win in race record time of 29.42.
2013 Xylia Allen confirmed her status as one of the most exciting greyhounds in the country when she
sensationally won the Macro Meats Sapphire Crown in one of the runs of the year at Sandown
Park she recorded 29.48 and ran down favourite Punch One Out.
2014 South Australian sprinter Oakvale Destiny became Jeff Britton’s first Sapphire winner, his brother
Robert had won the event in 1990 with Ravello and partner Angela Langdon with Que Sera Sera
in 2007.
2015 All distance Sandown star Lamia Bale was the brilliant winner in 2015 the versatile multi group
winner proved way too good against her own sex in a race record time of 29.23.
2016 A fairytale was completed when Narralee staved off her rivals to take out the 2016 Group 1
Sapphire Crown. Narralee ($11.80) exploded out of box 2 to lead clearly from the wide running
Shared Equity and favourite Folio Bale. As the trio battled for position down the back straight
Narralee held her head. Folio Bale ($2.40) threatened danger turning for home but Narralee held
on to win by a head in 29.47.
2017 Maja Mahi Mahi ($7.70) upstaged one of the best fields to ever contest the Group 1 Sapphire
Crown (515m) with a tenacious victory. The black bitch was quickly into stride from box two and
was able to punch up and hold the lead on the inside of dual group 1 winner Striker Light ($3.00)
in the charge around the first turn. Down the back, the bonny bitch was once again challenged –
this time by group 2 Laurels heroine Up Hill Jill ($4.20) (box five). However, coming off the back
Maja Mahi Mahi slipped into top gear and despite rolling wide in the home straight, she was too
strong for Up Hill Jill when scoring by half a length in 29.67.
Honour Roll
The Sapphire Classic was first run in 1974 as an age restricted race for dogs and bitches. The event was
relaunched in 2002 as the Sapphire Crown Classic bitches only feature. Listed below is the impressive list of past
winners.
Year Winner Trainer Time Year Winner Trainer Time
1974 Bristol Sue Alec Reid 31.11 1999 Ashlee Jeannine Peter Giles 29.74
1975 Dynamic Dean Paul Hogan 30.67 2000 Dutchy’s Angel Tom Dailly 29.74
1976 Tawny Brad Greg Durham 30.82 2001 Let It Be Neil Dicks 29.75
1977 Overflow Love Pat Haas 31.09 2002 Bye For Now Ian Dann 30.00
1978 Rubin Caine Ted Sallows 30.77 2003 Bogie Leigh Tony Brett 30.07
1979 Monica’s Mist John Hellingman 30.74 2004 Paua To Burn Steven White 29.85
1980 Worthy Weston Brian Jacobson 30.93 2005 Paua To Burn Steven White 29.82
1981 Shamrock Flight Kevin McCabe 31.06 2006 Betty’s Angel Paul Bartolo 29.85
1982 Wynlee Spirit Alan Roberts 31.17 2007 Que Sera Sera Angela Langton 29.91
1983 Rocky Pyramid Fred Ladd 30.65 2008 Queen Lauryn Tony Brett 29.79
1984 Currency Lass Ned Bryant 31.10 2009 Cindeen Shelby Kelvyn Greenough 29.72
1985 Rembrant John Hose 31.06 2010 Not Run1986 Sydney Dingaan Ned Bryant 30.83 2011 Amakler Girl Robert Stack 29.70
1987 Rothwell Keith Anderson 30.63 2012 Peggy May Jason Thompson 29.42
1988 Hogan Len Ketelaar 31.02 2013 Xylia Allen Graeme Bate 29.48
1989 Super Gun Eddie Baumgartner 30.81 2014 Oakvale Destiny Jeff Britton 29.92
1989* Dapto Brandi Darren Murray 30.77 2015 Lamia Bale Steven Collins 29.23
1990 Ravello Robert Britton 30.82 2016 Narralee Stephen Creighton 29.47
1991 Heza Mullrook Keith Kent 30.42 2017 Maja Mahi Mahi Ashley Terry 29.67
1992 Dashing Eagle Bob Douglas 30.31 2018
1993 Magnacarter Bill McNally 30.60 2019
1994 Stylish Raider Kevin Byng 30.33 2020
1995 Ben's Surprise Len Ketelaar 30.34 2021
1996 Sarah’s Deano Marion Siakew 30.30 2022
1997 Token Prince Michael Abbott 30.31 2023
1998 Time Framer Philip Newman 30.12 2024
* Run as the Sandown Auction Classic, July 1989
GROUP ONE – HARRISON-DAWSON
$100,000 to the winner
Box Draw and Tab Sportsbet Fixed Prices for the Harrison-Dawson
$100,000 to the winner Group 1 Harrison - Dawson 515m
Box Greyhound Trainer Price B/T
My Redeemer David Geall $2.70 29.12
Hasten Slowly Angela Langton $5.50 29.47
Not Available Robert Britton $3.20 29.24
Bernardo William McMahon $21 29.40
Alpha Georgiou Jeff Britton $15 29.38
Hecton Bale Andrea Dailly $4.50 29.29
Zipping Captain Steven Collins $26 29.56
Shadale Robert Redenbach $15 29.38
Dyna Wazza (RES) Mark Delbridge $34 29.31
Aston Dee Bee (RES) Sonia Thompson $3.50 29.12
Local expert’s selections for the final are as follows.
Mick Floyd Jason Adams Rob Testa
1st My Redeemer 1st My Redeemer 1st Hecton Bale
2nd Hasten Slowly 2nd Not Available 2nd Not Available
3rd Not Available 3rd Shadale 3rd My Redeemer
Honour Roll
Past winners the race after it was run for the first time in 2009 as the Dawson was won by Dyna Forte, 2010
Flash Of Light, 2011 Don Chendo, 2012 General Destini, 2013 Clone Your Own, 2014 Awesome Project
2015 Fernando Bale, 2016 Dundee Osprey and 2017 Black Mumbo.Any further information contact: Michael Floyd, Racing and Media Manager, on 0409 426 562 or 0395469511. mfloyd@sandowngreyhounds.com.au or www.sandowngreyhounds.com.au For more information please contact: Neil Brown David Simonette GCA Publicity Officer GCA Executive Officer Tel: 03 97691234 simonette7862@gmail.com Mob: 0423 129 950
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