Down To Five For The S.A GOTY

GRSA's selection panel for the Greyhound of the Year has determined the five nominations for the prestigious title.

The Gala Awards Dinner will be held on February 22, where the S.A Bred, Sprinting and Staying awards will be announced as well as the overall South .

The panel will now conduct voting between the following five greyhounds for the 2013 title:

ERNIE BUNG ARROW

Breeding: – Slippers' Tonic

Trainer:

Owner: Helen Deacon

2013 Record: 18 starts 16-1-0  $146,620

– July, September, October & December

Won – Heat, Semi & Final Champion Puppy

Heat & Final Schweppes (G3)

Heat & Final Triple M (G1)

Heat, Semi & Final Brian Johnstone (G3)

The obvious candidate, Ernie Bung Arrow burst on to the scene in the second half of the year. Rising from the age-restricted races, Ernie Bung Arrow quickly garnered national attention via his explosive early speed and lightening sectional times.

Giving his rivals a head start in age, class and experience, he became the first dog in eight years to keep the Adelaide Cup trophy on home soil, before taking his place in the Invitation-only Topgun as a result. Having started 2014 in brilliant fashion with a fourth Group victory, Ernie Bung Arrow will be front of mind for panelists when the voting takes place.

FIRE TYSON

Breeding: Emerley Carlos – Avid Willow

Owner/Trainer: Tony Lagana

2013 Record: 42 Starts.17-7-8 $71,650

Greyhound of the Month – January & February

Won –   Final SA Sprint Championship (G3 – third in heat)

Heat SA (third in semi & third in final)

Heat & Final Breeders 2013 Prelude (2)

Heat & Semi (G3 – third in final)

Heat Gawler Breeders 2013 (second in final)

Consolation Gawler (G3 – third in heat)

Staking the claim of ‘Mr Consistency', Fire did all of his racing at the top level in 2013. His tendency to use the middle of the track has meant he has been able to overcome poor draws on several occasions. His tenacious nature and rare ability culminated with a final berth in the Group 1 Adelaide Cup.

KALDEN KURAGEOUS

Breeding: Collision – Abbadale Affair

Trainer: Troy Murray

Owner: Saliba Di Manno (Syn)

2013 Record:  34 Starts. 12-5-10 $40,590

Won – Heat West End Anniversary Cup (G3 – second in final)

Heat Gawler South Bakery Cup (third in final)

Heat Gawler Gold Cup (G3 – third in final)

Heat Strathalbyn Cup (fifth in final)

Simply brilliant at his best, Kalden Kurageous came across from W.A in late 2012 and started the new year with a bang. With several sub-30 times at Angle Park, Troy Murray's chaser would go on to win over five different distances at three different tracks in 2013. While he was unable to capture his best form in the middle part of the year, Kalden Kurageous bounced back like a good dog should, ensuring his nomination was well deserved.

TERCEL

Breeding: Falcon – Liza Brown

Owner/Trainer: Karen Bearpark

2013 Record: 51 Starts 20-11-8 $45,355

Won – Heat John Gray (second in final)

Final Shane McQueen (second in heat)

Previously known as a talented sprinter, Tercel changed his strategy in 2013 by stepping up to the 600-metre journey with instant success. Quickly knocking up 12 wins over the middle distance, as well as keeping his form over the sprints, no-one would begrudge Tercel a GOTY nomination. Interestingly, Tercel changed kennels in January 2014, racing under the care of Kim Johnstone in recent weeks.

TOKEN MCLAREN

Breeding: Token Prince – Stevie Mclaren

Owner/Trainer: Don Foster

2013 Record: 40 Starts 17-6-8 $30,150

Won – Heat Breeders Prelude 2013 (1) (second in final)

Heat Howard Ashton (G3 – sixth in semi)

Also sixth in Triple M Adelaide Cup consolation

6 starts over 731m at Angle Park for 5 wins and a second.

2 starts over 600m at Angle Park for 2 wins.

While the overall numbers don't look impressive, anyone that saw Token Mclaren's runs over 600 and upwards in 2013 will understand his nomination. Uncovered as the state's next staying star, Token Mclaren had seven wins with a margin of over 10 lengths, including a 17-length demolition job over Angle Park's 731-metre trip in November. His times over all three distances were red hot, and are comparable with some of the great stayers in recent years. Expect 2014 to be even better for this highly talented chaser.

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Master Greyhound
Master Greyhound
10 years ago

I’m a big fan of what Token Mclaren has been able to do since being stepped up to the middle & staying distances, but I can’t go past Ernie to take out this award. Flying machine.

Master Greyhound
Master Greyhound
10 years ago

I’m a big fan of what Token Mclaren has been able to do since being stepped up to the middle & staying distances, but I can’t go past Ernie to take out this award. Flying machine.