This Week In Racing History
December
24
According to a report published in the Canberra Times on this day in 1991, the Canberra greyhound club had received just over $500,000 as its share from racing revenue for the previous financial year. While Canberra punters had invested $33 million on horse racing, $12 million had been invested on greyhound racing.
25 Christmas Day, no racing
26
After being closed for much of the Second World War, a remodelled Wentworth Park track opened in 1946.
The Launceston track at White City officially re-opened after extensive remodelling, in 1954.
Arvo's Junior downed NSW representative Master Lightfoot to win the 2004 Sale Cup, the first run over the 650 metres trip, running 37.26, a time which stood as the race record until 2009.
27
Cabanossi won the 1975 Stayer's Christmas Gift, run over 732 metres at Harold Park. The evergreen stayer won by three-quarters of a length from Blitzem Jack and Viva Maree, who recorded a rare dead-heat for second in major race final.
Racy Raider downed Dynamite Lad by a head to take out the 1993 Christmas Gift at Wentworth Park, running a fair 30.74 for the 520 metres trip.
Classy Maldini set a new track record time of 22.18 for 400 metres at Warragul in 2011.
Gunda Bale took out the 2012 Sandown Laurels Classic from Oenjay Dancer and Langi Bale. The Graeme Bate-trained sprinter was one of four finalists for Bate, who also trained the third placegetter as well sixth (Purcell Bale) and eighth (Xylia Allen).
28
Brazen Murray broke the 800 yards track record at Harold Park in 1948, running 44.0 and clipping 1/10th from the previous mark, held by Gladshot.
Oh Behave set a new track record time of 34.09 for 600 metres at The Meadows in 2002. The time was equalled by Paua To Burn three years later and Clair Maude in 2008 before finally being broken in 2010.
29
The Stan Cleverley-trained youngster Sharid ran 29.7 to set a new track record for 540 yards at Hobart, in 1951. Sharid won a heat of the New Year Stakes by 10 lengths and clipped 3/10ths from the previous mark.
Champion stayer Travel Rev was beaten four lengths by Victorian raider Paul's Thunder in a heat of the Stayer's Christmas Gift, run over 800 yards at Harold Park, in 1970. It was the first time Travel Rev had been defeated in 10 starts over the longer journey. After the race it was discovered he had suffered a hairline fracture of the wrist on his right foreleg, so he was scratched from the final and did not race again for just over four months.
30
Busy's Charm, the litter sister of Zoom Top, took her record to two wins from two starts when she scored by six lengths over 540 yards at Orange.
Nimuay defeated Nidoran Bale and Pretty Stepper to take out the 2000 Potential Stakes, run over 520 metres at Wentworth Park. The Owen Langley-trained sprinter ran the trip in a fair 30.60.