Dana Gretel Impressive Bob Payne Winter Stake Winner

Cowra based sprinter Dana Gretel continued her rich vein of form when successful in last night's Bob Payne Winter Stake at Wentworth Park.

The Group 2 Overflo@Stud Winter Stake was first run in 1961 and, in its time at Harold Park, the likes of Silent Retreat, Woolley Wilson, Better Future, Camden's Ghost, Snow Report and Switch Blade scored over the famous 457metre trip.

Following Harold Park's closure as a greyhound venue in 1987, Charlie Gatt's Rumpus Brandi won the first Winter Stakes at Wentworth Park and, in 2000, Dana Gretel's sire Go Wild Teddy registered an all-the-way win in 30.14.

On this occasion, Dana Gretel ($8.30) trailed the speedy Merleen ($5.00) to the turn and finished best to score by 1-1/4 lengths in a solid 30.28. Outsider Princess Bale ($21.00) made ground late to finish third, some three lengths from the winner but never looked like matching the front runners.

The win all-but doubled Dana Gretel's career prizemoney to a little more than $52,000 with the win being her 15th from 34 starts and her fourth in succession.

Dana Gretel, the winner, had recently lost confidence at Wentworth Park and trainer Rod McDonald explained that she has met with a lot of interference at Wenty prior to a smart fourth grade win when she lead all the way covering the 520metres in a slick 30.25seconds.

“I was getting worried about her being bashed around so much that she was starting to lose her confidence there,” McDonald said.

“That's why I gave her a couple of middle distance races for a win over 618 metres at Bathurst on April 30 and a sixth in a 600 at on May 11.

“I think those runs did her the world of good because after that she won the Wagga Cup.” McDonald said.

Given Dana Gretel current form at Wentworth Park trainer Rod McDonald may set his speedy sprinter-middle distance star for the upcoming Sprint Championship at Wentworth Park with heats on August 23 and the National final also at Wentworth Park on August 30.

Dana Gretel is a Blue bitch whelped March 2006 by Go Wild Teddy from Runaway Tiger (Prince Of Tigers x Shadow Osti) she has raced 34 times for 15 wins and seven placings and with Saturday's night first prize of $25,000, she took her stake earnings to $52,235.

After the placed runners the field finished in the following order ($3.60), Radio Star ($7.50), Octane Al ($26.00), ($3.60) and ($5.00).

First run in 1961 the Winter Stake is a time honoured GBOTA feature sprint event. It was sponsored for many years commencing in the early 80's by Bradshaw's Waste one of Greyhound racings major contributors during that period.

The company shared a long affiliation with former GBOTA Chairman of eight years (1978-1985) Bob Payne and following his retirement from that position Bradshaw's requested the Winter Stake be named after Payne to commemorate his massive contribution to Greyhound racing in New South Wales and in particular the GBOTA, he had first joined as a member in 1943.

The feature race has remained named in his honour and is now held as a memorial following Bob Payne's passing four years ago. The race has been won by some of the finest sprinters and below is the honour roll.

    Harold Park 457m – Grass Track:
  • 1964 CREAM RANGE 26.60
  • 1965 KEWIN 26.90
  • 1966 JET AGAIN 26.90
  • 1967 MEGS DELTA 26.80
  • 1968 GOLD HERO 26.50
  • 1969 SILENT RETREAT 26.90
  • 1970 LINDENS CHARM 26.90
  • 1971 GEMINI TODD 26.50
  • 1972 WOOLLEY WILSON 26.60
  • 1973 SILENT WONDER 26.52
  • 1974 BUFFATEER 26.76
  • 1975 SMOOTH APPROACH 26.49
  • 1976 LORD ZEPHYR 26.58
  • 1977 TREACHEROUS GAL 26.45
  • 1978 RIVIERA TIGER 26.53
  • 1979 RUSTY BRAIN 26.71
  • 1980 LOVELY KATHY 26.71
  • 1981 FRANC METEOR 26.42
  • 1982 BETTER FUTURE 26.52
  • 1983 BOBBY RICH 26.38
  • 1984 SWITCH BLADE 26.61
  • 1985 SNOW REPORT 26.58
  • 1986 CAMDEN ‘S GHOST 26.43
  • 1987 CROTTY KID 26.37
    Wentworth Park 520m – Grass Track:
  • 1988 RUMPUS BRANDI 30.43
  • 1989 VALLEY MAIL 30.47
  • 1990 NOBLE SPADES 30.51
  • 1991 MOUNTAIN RED 30.39
    Wentworth Park 520m – Loam:
  • 1992 HOWS THE FORT 30.85
  • 1993 DYNAMITE LAD 30.70
  • 1994 GALLANT RULER 30.39
  • 1995 WARRIGAL ROAD 30.45
  • 1996 MIDNIGHT FLIRT (VIC) 30.45
  • 1997 HONCHO FLASH 30.99
  • 1998 30.03
  • 1999 FAITHFUL HAWK 30.21
  • 2000 GO WILD TEDDY 30.14
  • 2001 WINSOME DOLLARS 30.58
  • 2002 PHANTOM DEVIL 30.59
  • 2003 KUMTA CHASE 30.37
  • 2004 JUNEY RELTUB 30.70
  • 2005 OVER FLO 29.83
  • 2006 STRYKER'S SHADOW 30.25
  • 2007 TRAIN A JOURNEY 30.16
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