Fantastic Spike crowned 2024 SA Greyhound of the Year
The 2024 TAB SA Greyhound of the Year Awards Night, held at Angle Park on Friday, celebrated the best in South Australian greyhound racing, with Fantastic Spike taking the highest honor as the Greyhound of the Year.
Trained by Liz Chegia, Fantastic Spike secured the prestigious award after a stellar season that saw him notch 17 wins and 14 placings from 33 starts, earning over $82,000 in prizemoney.
His remarkable consistency in high-grade races at Angle Park, where he missed the podium only twice throughout the year, set him apart from the competition.
Among his key achievements, Fantastic Spike claimed victory in the Shane McQueen series over 595m and finished on the podium in the SA Anniversary Cup and SA National Sprint Final.
Angle Park – Shane McQueen Final Replay – Fantastic Spike (34.38)
[videopack id=”146410″]https://australianracinggreyhound.com/wpress/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Angle-Park-595m-2024-Shane-McQueen-Final-300524-Race-8-Fantastic-Spike-34.38-Barry-Stewart.mp4[/videopack]
His exceptional performances also earned him the title of SA Sprinting Greyhound of the Year.
The competition for the prestigious title was fierce, with Pet Detective and Cash On Delivery also having standout seasons.
Pet Detective, trained by Ben Rawlings, won 18 of his 36 starts and was a dominant force in South Australian racing, claiming victories in the Kings and Queens final, SA Country Cup, and the Group 3 Gawler Gold Cup.
Meanwhile, short-course specialist Cash On Delivery was nearly unstoppable over the sprint distances, winning the Thunderbolt at Grafton and the Gawler Sprint Classic while also securing third in the National Straight Track Championship.
Though these two challengers had incredible seasons, it was Fantastic Spike’s all-around excellence in middle-distance and sprint races that ultimately saw him crowned the best greyhound in South Australia for 2024.
2024 Greyhound of the Year Award Winners
- Pet Detective – SA Bred Greyhound of the Year: Ben Rawlings’ star chaser Pet Detective took home the SA Bred Greyhound of the Year title after a dominant season, winning 18 of his 36 starts. His campaign featured key victories, including the Kings and Queens final and the SA Country Cup on Adelaide Cup night. The highlight of his year came with a thrilling win in the Group 3 Gawler Gold Cup.
- Zipping Neutron – SA Distance Greyhound of the Year:
Zipping Neutron continued his dominance in the staying ranks, earning back-to-back SA Distance Greyhound of the Year titles. His season was highlighted by a personal best of 42.59 at Angle Park and a strong showing in the National Distance Championship final. - Cash On Delivery – SA Short Course Greyhound of the Year:
Cameron Forshaw’s short-course specialist Cash On Delivery claimed this category for the second consecutive year. His highlights included victories in the Thunderbolt at Grafton and the Gawler Sprint Classic, along with a third-place finish in the National Straight Track Championship at Murray Bridge. - Victa Tara – Sennachie Award for Excellence:
Victa Tara was recognised for her outstanding performances in Victoria, where she recorded eight consecutive wins in Free For All company, cementing her reputation as one of SA’s finest exports. - Euler Bale – Run of the Year:
Euler Bale’s record-breaking 22.07 run over 400m at Gawler earned him the Run of the Year award. His blistering performance lowered the track record and showcased his raw speed. - Ben Rawlings – SA Trainer of the Year: With 231 winners in 2024, Ben Rawlings was crowned SA Trainer of the Year. His standout performers included SA Bred Greyhound of the Year winner Pet Detective and Group 3 Launching Pad runner-up Peaky Boo. His success in the Masters ranks with Doonan was another highlight of his season.
- Tanya Rawlings and Cherylee Barber – SA Breeders of the Year: Both Tanya Rawlings and Cherylee Barber shared the SA Breeder of the Year title, recognizing their incredible contributions to breeding top-tier greyhounds. Their litters produced numerous winners across various categories, including stars like Zinfandel Evie and Ferocious Ivy.
- Ron Schadow – SA Owner/Trainer of the Year: Ron Schadow claimed this award after securing 80 winners throughout the year, with the Victa greyhounds proving to be a dominant force on the track.
- My Four Girls Syndicate – SA Syndicate of the Year: For the second consecutive year, the My Four Girls Syndicate took out the SA Syndicate of the Year title, with 93 wins in 2024. Their leading performers included Victa Marli, Victa Chrissy, and Victa Val.
- Zinfandel Zara – SA Brood Bitch of the Year: With 67 winners in 2024, Zinfandel Zara was crowned Brood Bitch of the Year. Her progeny, including Zinfandel Evie and Zinfandel Austin, had a major impact on the racing scene.
- Worm Burner – SA Stud Dog of the Year: Worm Burner secured his sixth consecutive SA Stud Dog of the Year title, siring 111 winners in 2024. His progeny, led by Zinfandel Evie and Pink Confetti, continued to excel.
- Zinfandel Evie – SA Gawler Track Star: Zinfandel Evie was recognised as the SA Gawler Track Star after an outstanding season that included victories in the Gawler Breeders Final and the Future Stars Final.
- Kerry Stagg – SA City Strike Rate: Kerry Stagg was honored for his impressive city strike rate, achieving 37 wins from 84 starters at Angle Park for a 44.05% success rate.
- Jan McIlroy – Volunteer of the Year: A dedicated contributor to Greyhounds As Pets SA, Jan McIlroy received the Volunteer of the Year award for her tireless work at adoption events and community visits.
- Jack and Abbey Fagan – Young People of the Year: Representing a fourth-generation greyhound racing family, Jack and Abbey Fagan were acknowledged for their passion and contributions to the sport as handlers, owners, and volunteers.
- Peter and Glad Butterfield – Outstanding Service Contribution: Posthumously awarded, Peter and Glad Butterfield were recognised for their lifelong contributions to South Australian greyhound racing, particularly with the Whyalla Greyhound Racing Club.