Cup a ‘massive’ success
Friday night saw the running of the annual Horsham Greyhound Cup with a massive crowd on track to see Jungle Panther, for Jeff Geall at Fyansford, producing a last-to-first run that had the crowd on the edge of their seats.
Baby Jaycee and Stealth were sent to the boxes equal favourites, with Jungle Panther the punters’ fourth pick, but he won with absolute ease – improving his track record to an astonishing eight starts for seven wins.
The estimated crowd of 500-plus enjoyed the entertainment of Aaron Murray along with a petting zoo, jumping castle and slushies. Special guest, AFL legend Robert ‘Dippa’ Dipierdomenico made his way around the crowd.
The evening’s highlight was the club’s promotion of the number-four dog, which was drawn to an attendee every race, for a chance to win $1000. That amount jackpotted if the dog did not win.
It was a lean night until Kevin Purchase was drawn and stepped to the plate, looking to take home $8000 if the number-four won the ninth race on the card. After missing the start, Shima Dream exploded to win with ease and send Dipper, Kevin and the crowd into a frenzy.
Emotional scenes ensued as Kevin’s partner Samantha emerged from the crowd with their newborn baby in her arms. With the pair to be married in September, they simply could not believe their luck. Local trainers were prominent throughout the other three feature events on the card.
Andrea Gurry, Nhill, took out the Jan Wilson Memorial and a $5000 winner’s cheque with her in-form chaser Xylus Bale who, in winning, made it a hat-trick of wins on the trot at the Horsham circuit, all in smart times. Garry George, Beulah, was a close-up third with Extravagant.
Reinforcements for Peter Carter, Horsham, ran third in the Horsham Cup consolation, which was followed by the Sylvia Penny Memorial, with locals desperate to win the race they see as the most important.
Sylvia is an almost 40-year stalwart of the club, donating her time to the club from inception in 1973.
Turning for home, a local win looked likely but Flash Banner, for Patricia Smith at Wonwondah, could not hold off the race favourite. Second was an enormous effort with third and fourth also being local trainers – Krakatoan for John Weir-smith, Horsham and Solar Toby for Victor Millington, Stawell.
Horsham Greyhound Club thanks the public and the fishing competition community for the support displayed in attending our marquee night and making it a successful event.