Greyhound wrap: Bravo’s secret weapon casts her spell in Hume Cup

THE Kelly Bravo-trained Secret Spell broke through for a deserved win at the highest level, leading all the way in Monday night's at The Meadows.

Stepping beautifully from box two, the daughter of Bartim Bale and Wicked Witch broke up the field in the run to the post on the first occasion. Despite getting weary towards the end of the 600 metre trip, she was able to hold off a last challenge from Xtreme Knocka to score by half a length in 34.31.

“I was wrapped with the run,” Bravo said.

“I saw Xtreme Knocka coming up the back and by the time they got back around to the 600 metre boxes I thought he had he covered, but to her credit she kept on kicking.”

Secret Spell has now won 20 races from 37 career starts for over $240,000 in career earnings, with her next target being the 1 at Sandown Park.

The black bitch will contest a Prelude of the Cup this Friday night before the heats of the $420,000-to-the-winner series kicks off next Thursday.

“Now that she has won the Hume Cup she is exempt (from having to compete in a Prelude), but the fields for Friday had already been drawn prior to that so she will be going around.

“I'm not too concerned because she has pulled up super and she would have to have a trial before next Thursday anyway and the race this week isn't too hard, even though she's not boxed real well.”

Secret Spell will exit box four in race 12 which is set to jump at 11:07pm.

Check out Secret Spell's win in the Group 1 Hume Cup

Zambora Brockie scores in Vic Peters Classic

Zambora Brockie stamped himself as one of the most promising young sprinters in the country with an all-the-way victory in Saturday night's Group 1 Vic Peters Classic at Wentworth Park.

Jumping beautifully from box eight, the Anthony Azzopardi-trained greyhound went straight to the early lead, with the race virtually a case of “times and margins” from that point onwards.

The son of and Flying Liddy swung for home well clear, crossing the line four-and-three-quarter lengths of Black Bear Lee (box five) and Blazin' Bomber (box four) in a scintillating 29.58.

Troy Murray takes out 2015 Gawler Cup final

Troy Murray went into the 2015 Group 3 Gawler Cup final with three leading chances – It's Classified, Real Flash and Cash In Looper – and, despite two thirds of his trio finding trouble, he didn't walk away disappointed with It's Classified scoring a thrilling victory from box two.

After an ordinary beginning, the current holder had to do plenty of work, weaving his way through the field before railing underneath the tearaway leader Marlow Brown on the home turn and kicking clear to score by one-and-one-quarter lengths in a respectable 30.79.

The victory made it win nine at start 17 for the son of and Abbadale Elle with the prize money taking his career earnings up to $39,085.

Marlow Brown held on for second and looks to have a very bright future for trainer Pauala Hearnden, while the consistent Peejay Jack filled the trifecta spot for Lewiston mentor Robyn Mackellar.

Dashing Corsair among the 2015 inductees into Racing Queensland's Hall of Fame

Former sprinting turned staying star Dashing Corsair was one of three inductees into the Racing Queensland's Hall of Fame at the UBET Greyhound of the Year Awards last Thursday night.

The son of Malfoy and Rose Flamenco started 124 times for 57 wins and 30 minor placings with over $450,000 in career earnings.

‘Harry' is the only greyhound to have won both the Group 1 National Sprint and the Group 1 National Distance Championships, with co-trainer Desley Williams and 89-year-old owner Paddy Fitch both elated with the honour.

“When I first found out I thought oh my god this is amazing,” Williams explained.

“For her owner Paddy, this is just the best thing that could have happened to her at the end of her career in greyhound racing and she was so pleased.”

“I fell in love with Harry the first time I met him – he taught us so much and I was devastated when he had to be euthanised due to cancer – so when I got the call that he was getting inducted into the Hall of Fame I was so happy because the dog really deserved it.”

The other inductees into the Hall of Fame were Peter Rayner and super sire , with the ultra-consistent Flash Reality collecting Greyhound of the Year honours.

In the Stewards Room

  • The Victorian Racing Appeals and Disciplinary Board has reserved its decision on another three cases pertaining to the footage captured at the Tooradin Trial Track in late 2014.

    The first person to face the RADB was James Reynolds on October 23, 2015, who was charged with a breach of LR 18.5 and GAR 86 (af). The charges were in regards to Reynolds baiting a white and brindle greyhound at Tooradin on December 23, 2014, with a live rabbit, which had been attached to the lure arm by Lawrence Cunningham.

    The RADB found Reynolds guilty on each charge, with stewards only seeking penalty in relation to charge one.

    Dennis Dean's case was also heard last week, with the Victorian trainer facing the RADB on a total of eight charges under LRR 18.5, GAR 86(af).

    The charges related to Dean using a live rabbit on a leash, which was handled by Tooridin Track owner Stuart Mills, to excite a number of his greyhounds on November 18, 2014. The rabbit was then used as a lure for many of these greyhounds.

    Dean was represented by Mr. Mark Higgins of the Sydney Bar, instructed by Murphy's Lawyers Solicitors Sydney, while the Stewards Panel was represented by Mr. Paul Holdenson QC, instructed by Corrs Chambers Westgarth.

    After hearing all the evidence, viewing the available video footage and hearing closing submissions from both Holdenson and Higgins, the RADB reserved its decision on the charges.

    Lastly, on Friday, Robert Smith's hearing was held by the RADB, with
    Smith facing seven charges in relation to LR 18.5, GAR 86 (o) and GAR 86 (af).

    The specifics of the charges were that on December 23, 2014, Smith participated in the practice of live baiting by using a live rabbit, attached to the lure arm by Lawrence Cunningham, to trial his greyhounds.

    Smith's solicitors advised the RADB that he would not be attending the hearing, nor would he be represented. After considering all of the evidence, the RADB reserved its decision on the charges.

  • Queensland

  • Stephen McHugh has been fined the sum of $3,000, with $2,000 suspended by Racing Queensland pending no further breaches, after he allegedly made statements claiming his expertise to perform caesarean sections, despite being unqualified.

    McHugh was charged with a breach of GAR 86(q) which relates to engaging in conduct which is detrimental to the interest, welfare, image, control or promotion of greyhound racing.

    McHugh's comments, although proven to be untrue, were seen to have the capacity to be prejudicial to the industry.

    He was subsequently found guilty, with Stewards imposing the aforementioned fine.

  • RQ Stewards also recently opened an inquiry into the deaths of the greyhounds Loraine Hyndman and Montrose Millen.

    Owner Tony Millen reported that Loraine Hyndman died of a suspected snake bite on October 1, 2015, and that Montrose Maid died from a Paralysis Tick on September 20, 2015.

    Millen only became aware of his obligations to notify RQ of the deaths when he had a greyhound pup euthanised by a vet, but upon becoming aware, he reportedly notified the controlling body immediately.

    After considering the evidence, Millen was issued with a reprimand under GAR 106 (3) (b).

  • New South Wales

  • Dawn Lee has been fined $750 by Greyhound Racing NSW (GRNSW) Stewards after a post-race urine sample taken from her greyhound Elite Merritt was found to contain the prohibited substance Tetrahydrozoline after it won at Coonabarabran on February 14, 2015.

    Lee pleaded guilty to a charge of GAR 83(2)(a) with regard to presenting a greyhound with a prohibited substance in its system.

  • Also in NSW, trainer Ray Stevenson pleaded guilty to an offence under GAR 83 (2)(a) last week, with his greyhound Wilma Sprite returning a positive sample to the prohibited substance 5betaandrostane-3alpha,17beta-diol after it won at Mudgee on March 1, 2015.

    GRNSW Stewards found Stevenson guilty as charged and imposed a six month disqualification which will conclude on March 14, 2016.

    Wilma Sprite was also disqualified from the event in question.

  • Stuart Barron appeared at an inquiry before GRNSW Stewards last week, charged with a breach of GAR 83 (2)(a) after his greyhound Tamara May returned a positive urine sample to 6alphahydroxystanozolol after winning at Maitland on july 9, 2015.

    Barron pleaded guilty to the charge, with the estimated level of the prohibited substance of 1ng/ml being the lowest ever recorded by the Australian Racing Forensic Laboratory.

    He was subsequently issued a $1,000 fine and disqualified for a period of one month.

  • Former leading NSW trainer Peter Lagogiane has been slapped a 16 week disqualification after being found guilty of a breach of GAR 83(2)(a).

    The specifics of the charge were that his greyhound Klienzan returned a positive urine sample to the prohibited substance randitine after it won at on October 22, 2014.

    Klienzan was also disqualified from the event in question, with the placings amended accordingly.

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