February'09 - Greyhounds Queensland

What a year! What a choice!The 2008 Queensland greyhound of theyear will be announced at a gala night late inFebruary and judges back in January had theunenviable task of choosing the top dog froma list of hopefuls all of which is most yearswould have taken the title.Here are the top contenders.KNOCKA NORRIS(Elite State-Oriental Angel)Undoubtedly one of the fastestgreyhounds in the country during 2008.His crowning glory came with victory inthe Group 1 National Sprint at Wentworth Parkafter he had won the state final at Albion Park.Knocka could run and run very fast.During 2008 he established track records threetimes, 24.81 at Warrnambool, 25.01 at Maitlandand 29.25 at The Gardens.He was also a finalist three times at Grouplevel but was unplaced each time, in the Group2 Gold Coast Cup, Group 2 WA Derby andGroup 2 Warrnambool Cup.He was also chosen for the Group 1Topgun but had to be withdrawn after hurtinga hock.His Group 1 win and track records will helphis cause, but the Group failures will not.MADE TO SIZE(Surf Lorian-Queen Size)What a year he had. And hugely in hisfavour is the fact it was mostly on his hometrack at Albion Park. And greyhound of theyear judges are always told emphasis shouldbe put on performances at Albion Park.Made To Size started his year by smashingthe Albion Park track record with a 29.61 run.Mid-year he landed the Group 1 WinterCarnival Cup against two likely greyhoundof the year hopefuls. And then he came backto smash his own Albion Park track recordwith a 29.57, the first to run under the 29.60mark.He was a finalist in the Group 1 MelbourneCup (knocked down at the first turn) and thenbroke a hock in the Group 1 Brisbane Cupfinal. He won the Perth Cup Consolation andwas second in the state final of the NationalSprint.Had a huge year, specially at Albion Park,but didn’t quite get the job done (albeit underdifficulties) elsewhere.Knocka NorrisMade To SizeQueen LaurynSize Can MatterQUEEN LAURYN(Token Prince-CheekySprite)Made all the headlines throughout theyear and deserved every bit of thoseaccolades.There was never any doubt she wastalented and proved that by winning theGroup 2 Qld Futurity at Albion Park.Then ran the track record twice atWentworth Park with a 29.51 and a scorching29.44.She added to that by breaking SurfLorian’s perceived unbreakable Ipswich trackrecord with a 30.01 victory. But in themeantime the gloss when off her a bit.She finished second in the Group 2 LadiesBracelet (had no luck at all), and third in theGroup 1 Winter Carnival Cup, both races shewas expected to win.Then she bounced back to win the GroupPups For SaleBred in the Purple1 Sapphire Classic at Sandown to give herarmy of fans more to cheer about.Disappointing when run down whensecond in the Group 3 Sandown Shootout,but she had a wonderful year and is a worthycontender for the award.SIZE CAN MATTER(Elite State-Queen Size)Had a controversial, but fabulous year.Of the likely contenders, Size Can Matteris the only winner of TWO Group 1 events,the Perth Cup and the Platinum Paws in NZ.He also won the Group 2 Qld Derby on hishome track at Albion Park.And add to that he was second in theGroup 1 NZ Cup, third in the Group 1 NationalDerby (some say he should have won easily),and third in the Group 2 WA Derby.He was also fourth in the Group 1 WinterCarnival Cup.His TWO Group 1 winning performancesshould give him an edge when discussionsstart about greyhound of the year.Had a fabulous year racing against thebest all year and proving himself one of thebest … in two countries.Also considered were Black Ruler, EliteOriental, Miss Hot Gossip and Nicely Done.6 Dogs, 4 BitchesWhelped 15-1-09 (Available at 12 weeks)Sire: BIT CHILIDam: FAITH INBUNDY(Bright Ebony-Kay Cee Chambers)FAITH IN BUNDY12 wins, 14 2nds, 9 3rds. 3 wins Alb Pk600m 35.33. Tweed 520m 29.32, 420m23.66. Won all three distances Ipswich431m, 520m (30.92), 630m (37.54).Kay Cee Chambers top producer, dam ofFonteyn Trick (Tweed TR), Kay Cee Diva,Kay Cee Power, Enforcer Fred etc.$1200 each. Ph: Troy 0437 928738GREYHOUND SCALESBuy Direct From ImporterThree NEWModels toChoose from ...Dogs for Racing OverseasMust be under 26 monthsPh Steve Wilkes(07) 54465112 or 0427 319944The (February, 2009) Journal Page 5