2023 greyhound State Of Origin race series greyhounds named
In the world of Australian greyhound racing, the highly anticipated squads for this year's Origin Greyhound Series have been unveiled, thanks to the joint efforts of Racing Queensland and Greyhound Racing New South Wales.
This riveting showcase of speed and strategy will unfold at Albion Park on June 15, rekindling the fiery interstate rivalry with the Origin Sprint and Origin Distance Group 3 races, as well as the Listed Origin Match Race.
Drawing inspiration from Queensland Rugby League's ‘pick and stick' approach, the Sunshine State's selectors have echoed the same spirit in their squad selection.
At the forefront of the Maroons' squad is Orchestrate, Queensland's 2022 Greyhound of the Year.
Joining him in this elite cadre are fellow award finalists Shipwreck and Days of Thunder, alongside Jay Is Jay, the record holder for Albion Park's 520m track and victor of the Queensland Derby.
This will mark Jay Is Jay's first foray into the Origin Series.
Last year's Match Race victor, Shipwreck, and Days Of Thunder, the triumphant Distance race competitor, have been welcomed back into the fold.
Their past exploits played a pivotal role in Queensland's successful retrieval of the series trophy from New South Wales.
As it stands, the series tally since its 2018 inauguration is evenly poised, with two wins to each state.
Each state will field a team of nine greyhounds, drawn from a preliminary squad of 25.
The doors are still open for greyhounds outside the initial squads to prove their mettle with outstanding performances in the weeks to come.
The final teams will be crystallised on June 9 2023.
The New South Wales squad boasts some formidable contenders of its own, most notably She's A Pearl.
This sprinter, a two-time Group 1 winner and last year's Million Dollar Chase victor, has amassed over $1.7 million in prize money.
Supporting her are Simply Limelight, winner of the 2023 Group 1 Golden Easter Egg 520m in April, and Zipping Orlando, who has recent victories in the Group 1 Association Cup Final and The 715 Final at The Gardens under his belt.
This year's event promises more than just state bragging rights, with the Group 3 Sprint and Distance prizes doubling from $75,000 to a whopping $150,000 each.
In addition, the Listed Origin Match Race has seen a $15,000 increase, now touting a lucrative $60,000 purse.
Brenton Scott, Racing Queensland's Senior Greyhound Racing Manager, eagerly awaits the upcoming Origin Greyhound Series, one of the marquee events of the Queensland Winter Greyhound Racing Carnival.
He shared, “An incredible $3.3 million will be up for grabs in prize money over the seven weeks of racing, including the $1 million Brisbane Cup, and the Origin series is always an integral part of the carnival.”
With state pride, record prize money, and the title of champion on the line, the stage is set for an exhilarating showdown of interstate rivalry at Albion Park this June.
Queensland State Of Origin Greyhound Squad
- Bear's Bullet – Travis Elson
- Blue Hornet – Raymond Burman
- Bogie Hurricane – Ryan Ayre
- Days Of Thunder – Warren Nicholls
- De Ferran – Tony Zammit
- Emerald Eyes – Pamela Field
- Hara's Herbie – Jemma Daley
- Hara's Pandora – Jemma Daley
- Hara's River – Jemma Daley
- Hara's Skye – Jemma Daley
- Hello Mike – Travis Elson
- Hidden Agenda – Tony Short
- Jay Is Jay – Selena Zammit
- Jimmy Intention – Tom Tzouvelis
- Oh Oh Range – Ned Snow
- Orchestrate – Tony Brett
- Pocket Money – Ned Snow
- Rolling Empire – David Fitzgerald
- She's Precocious – David Andrews
- Shipwreck – Ned Snow
- Showdown – Jedda Cutlack
- Sorority – Jedda Cutlack
- Springtime Jet – Sean Galloway
- Sunburst – Jedda Cutlack
- Tomahawk Hayze – Sandra Hunt
NSW State Of Origin Greyhound Squad
- Aston Barak – Jason Fletcher
- Aston Ulysses – Michelle Sultana
- Bandit Jane – Andy Lord
- Black Magic Rose – Fred Swain
- Cash Master – Robert Cooke
- Cawbourne Magic – Andy Lord
- French Martini – Peter Lagogiane
- Ibrox Wildfire – William Dance
- I'm Loving It – Craig Chappelow
- Len Me Dad – Ruth Matic
- Like Wildfire – Michael Ivers
- Nangar Rocker – Dennis Barnes
- Palawa King – Jack Smith
- Punter's Bandit – Andy Lord
- Reflections -Kerry Drynan
- Ritza Piper – Joe Scerri
- She's A Pearl – Andy Lord
- Simply Limelight – Peter Rodgers
- Starline Express – Reg Gardoll
- Tiger Jack – Andy Lord
- Wyndra All Class – Daniel Gatt
- Yuko Girl – Sam Sultana
- Zipping Maserati – Martin Hallinan
- Zipping Orlando – John Finn
- Zipping Whiskey – Michael Hardman