This Week In Racing History
October
29
Dream’s Image took out the 1949 Cesarewitch Stakes, run over 500 yards at Harold Park, by three lengths from Chief Mystery, running 26.8. The Eddie Batiste-owned and Les Brett-trained sprinter had already won the Youthful Stakes and Two-Year-Old Produce Stakes at the same course over the previous few months.
Sashweight downed track record holder Carly’s Choice by six lengths over 700 yards at Dapto in a match race in 1953. Carly’s Choice, from box 8, jumped into lead but then stumbled and was soon behind. Sashweight, who had won her last seven starts in the city but was having her first look at Dapto, broke into a long lead and was never challenged in front of a large crowd. Carly’s Choice’ muzzle was found to be twisted after the race, suggesting he had tangled a paw in it soon after the start.
In 1983 Inch Time registered his ninth successive victory when taking out a semi-final of the Vic Peters Memorial Classic over 457 metres at Harold Park in a sizzling 26.11.
30
New Zealand star Brother Bee scored what would be his last win in his home country, over 505 metres at Auckland, in 1974. Brother Bee came to Sydney as the NZ representative for the NSW St Leger series and created a sensation by winning all three of his race starts in fine style.
31
Welcome Stranger took out the 1989 Warragul St Leger (424 metres) by three lengths from Dark Jivaro in 24.61. The win was his 11th in only 12 career starts.
November
1
The Rod Deakin-bred and owned and Max Hammond-trained Allocate won his first race start, over 720 metres at Shepparton by 17 lengths in 1973, recording 42.56 which set a new track record.
Alpha Brava registered his sixth consecutive victory when taking out the 1975 Bi-Annual Classic (now the Peter Mosman Memorial) over 457 metres at Harold Park by just over two lengths from Steve Austin in a fast 26.22.
2
Hanson Diamond won the 1995 Shepparton Cup by just over a length from Neutral Wisp and City Blitz, with the classy Midnight Flirt in fourth position.
Victorian finalist Go Go Ebo won the 2006 South Australian Sprint Championship by 10 lengths over 515 metres at Angle Park, running 29.49 to set a new race record for trainer Jeff Britton.
3
Eric Phipps, Andrew Schlecht, and William Furlong were sentenced to two years in prison in 1949 for allegedly ringing in a greyhound at Lismore in February in what became known as the Brindle Havoc-Runaway Joe conspiracy.
4
A greyhound track at Bulli was officially opened in 1950. It held an afternoon meeting of 10 races over 500 yards (457 metres) and 700 yards (684 metres). A crowd of about 2,300 turned out to watch the action. The first race, a maiden over 500 yards, was won by Lucky Les (box 1). Prince Min (box 3) won the first of the 700yds races, trained by Ron Condon. Fastest time at the meeting was 27.6 recorded by Pamraye (box 2), while Danny Dee (box 1) ran 38.8 as the quickest over 700 yards.