Could ‘locals’ snatch the cup?

Success in the Horsham Cup for locals has almost rivalled the amount of times the Gold Coast Suns have played finals footy in the AFL.

In 1984, Propellant won the Horsham Cup for a group of Wimmera owners including Jenny Coustley and Stan Nicholson.

Horsham Greyhound Racing Club proudly display’s the cup and silk rug permanently in our function centre.

Propellant was trained by the legendary Graeme Bate at Lara.

This time, some 38 years later, Patricia and Cliff Smith have qualified the enormously talented Crackerjack Keg for the Group Two Horsham Cup, offering $47,000 to the winner

Ironically, Crackerjack Keg is owned by Jordan Cooper and his partner Carly Poulter who live at Lara. Is this an omen?

Crackerjack Keg is the winner of 11 of his 35 race starts with six minor placings and prizemoney of $28,000.

When given clear air he is one of the fastest dogs going around the Horsham track and with a personal best time of 27.05 seconds over the 485-metre trip there is no doubt he can mix it with the best.

His time of 27.13 seconds in running second had him travelling quicker than three of the other heat winners and on times alone from the six heats of the cup he is the fourth fastest greyhound in the final.

‘Keg’, has drawn box three in the final, the same box he exited in his heat when he ran second to fastest qualifier Boston Garden. Three greyhounds broke the magical 27-second barrier in the six heats – Boston Garden for George Farrugia and Jeff Britton, Anakie, Zara’s Ivan for the Dailys, also from Anakie, and Americano Miss for Sonia Davis and Andrea Daily.

It is worth noting that Boston Garden and Americano Miss, whom qualified first and third quickest, are brother and sister – High Earner cross Phantom Mime – bred by George Farrugia.

This year’s cup looks the most even in recent memory and you could easily mount a case for any of the eight finalists to be the victor.

The first 20 metres is the most important part of the race – who starts best, who gets the clear run and who can put themselves into the best position turning for home?

We would love to see a massive crowd on hand for our major race of 2022.

Racing kicks off from 7pm on Friday with live music from Aaron Murray, lots of activities for the kids and the fastest action on four legs.