Controversy Won’t Stop Gunnedah From Putting On A Show
Gunnedah Greyhound Racing Club is gearing up to conduct their annual Centrebet Chief Havoc Cup Carnival commencing this Saturday afternoon. A stellar program that includes four outstanding heats of the $5,000 to the winner Cup Final, along with a strong supporting race for the sprinters over the 347m with eight attractive heats of the Hoteliers Challenge to be run and won, with a $4,000 first prize to be awarded to next weeks final winner.
It's somewhat remarkable the carnival is still going ahead after a sickening incident last week where unknown persons poisoned the track in an attempt to have the carnival abandoned. Club President Geoff Rose is adamant that despite this occurrence, the track is still in a safe condition.
‘We have worked on the track again this week and it looks perfectly fine for racing. There were no injuries last week as a result of what happened so I'm happy to say to owners and trainers that it is safe for racing.
Along with being the Club President, Geoff Rose as many already know, is Chairman of the GBOTA, who are doing a wonderful job with the tracks they operate around NSW, providing a largely diverse range of racing options for owners and trainers Australia wide.
Named after Hall of Fame legend Chief Havoc, the ‘Son of Gunnedah' is rightly buried at the notorious Gunnedah grass circuit, with this year's crop of talent surely to provide a competitive and tantalizing affair for participants who make the trek to the beautiful Country town approximately four hours North of Newcastle.
Heat One:
Nintendo Bones (box 7) is looking for his third consecutive victory for trainer Robert Brandolini, after two best-of-the-day successes at Kempsey including the Kempsey- Akubra Cup final where his trainer collected a cool $3,000 for his efforts. Another recent country cup winner, Power Bomb (box 4) trained by renowned Hunter Valley mentor John Lawson, claimed the Muswellbrook Cup over the 508m and hasn't bee unplaced at his last eight starts. Blow The Doh (box 6) for Windella trainer Emanuel Borg, has some sizzling personal bests under her belt at; Unitbet Gardens (29.79) and Wentworth Park (29.91) and should figure into proceedings.
Heat Two:
Birdie (box 4) has exceptional form at the track and saluted last week over the 512m in a best of the day 30.59. With a 30.12 personal best over this distance, expect a big show from the Pat Howarth trained chaser. Another successful victor at last weeks meeting was Miss Swip It (box 8) who hasn't been unplaced in all of her six starts at the track and will be challenging for a finals' berth. Noir Lee (box 6) was successful at her only start to date over the 512m, clocking a flying 30.19 and will again be competitive despite the awkward box draw.
Heat Three:
Central Coast trainer Mark Maroney has a promising chance in heat three with in-form sprinter Gliding Gem (box 8). Having produced some excellent 500m form of late, the 22kg lightweights ‘blazing early speed should be a prominent factor in securing a finals spot. Chloe's Ghost (box 6) has sensational Gunnedah form with four wins from just seven starts, with a blistering personal best of 30.17 over the two turn journey. An overall winner of 5 from 12 starts, the Hunter Valley trained sprinter is a model of consistency and will be well respected amongst punters on Saturday. Another Hunter Valley sprinter Devine Law (box 5) for Pat Parrelli, is a highly talented greyhound with exceptional personal bests at; Unitbet Gardens (29.79), Maitland (25.47) and Wentworth Park (29.96) and despite just having turned four years of age can run a cheeky race from the middle alley.
Heat Four:
Talented duo Jane and Jeff Crawford will make the long trek from Llandilo in Sydney with their charge Adhara Curl (box 6), who was extremely impressive at Dapto three weeks ago where she recorded a sensational 29.85. Foresaken Party (box one) will relish the box one draw and is yet to be unplaced at the Gunnedah circuit after five starts with three wins and a fast 30.36 personal best. Despite having mixed form of late, Yo Cool Maxie (box four) is a very talented sprinter from the Barry Evan's kennel and has clocked some amazing personal bests at; Maitland (25.24), Unibet Gardens (29.82) and Wentworth Park (29.94). Any resurgence of this form will see the winner of 15 races be highly competitive in next weeks final.
All winners and second placegetters will progress through to next weeks final, with an excellent support program in store including full tab coverage on Sky Racing.
Gunnedah is definitely the place two be over the next two weekends with despite what has transpired, a huge crowd will embark on the famous circuit to honour not only the memory of their favourite son but all the; volunteers, staff and supporters of the club, who thoroughly deserve their moment in the spotlight.
The first race and first heat of the Centrebet Chief Havoc Cup will jump at 1.15pm.