Group 2 Bob Payne Winter Stake Draws Near
The 2009 Over Flo @ Stud Bob Payne Winter Stake is fast approaching. Heats of this popular Group 2 event over 520 metres at Wentworth Park are scheduled for Saturday night June 27, with the final to be run the following Saturday July 4.
This race is sponsored by Over Flo @ Stud, courtesy of owners Paul and Helen Head. This event, originally known as the Winter Stake, was re-named after one of the NSW GBOTA's longest serving Chairmen, Robert Wilson Payne, who served in that capacity from 1978 to 1985.
Conditions relating to eligibility have been revised recently from those originally promulgated :
- The event is open to the 32 highest graded greyhounds nominated under the GRNSW TAB Grading Policy plus reserves.
- Preference will be given to greyhounds that have won a Group 1 event in the 12 months' period immediately prior to the close of nominations and to greyhounds that have won a Group 2 event of not less than 450 metres, also within the same time limit.
- The balance of fields for the heats will be determined by top down grading with heats drawn by lot, guarding where possible.
- If less than 32 greyhounds are nominated the GBOTA will determine the number of heats.
The race has carried Group 2 status since 1995. Originally paying $15,000 to the winner, the event's prize money has been increased over the years and now pays $25,000 to the winner.
In 2008 this race was won by Dana Gretel owned and trained at Cowra by Rod McDonald, who won this year's Nice Products Golden Easter Egg with Dana Beatrice. McDonald said he is looking forward to contesting this year's Bob Payne with Dana Beatrice.
“Everything is on track for Dana Beatrice to contest the Bob Payne and I am hoping to be there also with her litter brother Dana Tiger, if he is good enough to get a run,” McDonald said.
“I hope we can score a favourable box draw like in the Egg final and they will know Beatrice is about,” McDonald added.
This race was first conducted in 1964 over the 457 metres on the Harold Park grass track, moving to Wentworth Park over 520 metres on the grass from 1988 until 1991. After that the track was converted to loam.
With Over Flo's name currently against the race record of 29.83 for this event, the Heads have taken the opportunity to promote their well credentialed stud dog with their sponsorship. Closest to Over Flo's time for this event on the Wenty loam is Solve The Puzzle's win of 1998 in 30.03.