NSW sprint star Vamoose has one chance left to reach The Thunderbolt semi-finals

Vamoose winning a 350m Free For All race at Grafton over 350m in May 2023

In the world of short-course greyhound racing, the spotlight this week will be firmly fixed on the New South Wales’ poster boy, Vamoose, who is yet to secure a position in the semi-finals of The Thunderbolt.

Vamoose, who was the early favourite with greyhound betting sites to win the race that boasts a first prize of $75,000 to-the-winner, experienced an unexpected setback at Gosford last Tuesday in a roughly run race.

In a messy race at Gosford, half the field including the odds-on -222.22 favourite, Vamoose, were disadvantaged in running leaving just two dogs to fight out the finish.

The result being that Vamoose has just one chance left to qualify for the $200,000 The Thunderbolt race series, and that will be through the last of The Thunderbolt heats at Grafton on Sunday.

His owner-trainer, , based in Branxton, was prompted to pivot to the backup plan in order to keep her aspirations for The Thunderbolt alive.

“Luckily he can still go to the heats at Grafton this Sunday but we’ll need to work on him the next few days as he’s got a few sore spots that need attention here and there,” Smith shared.

The task of qualifying has been made more easy by Vamoose drawing box one in the third of four Grafton Thunderbolt heats.

Prior to the Gosford run, Vamoose had won four of his last five starts, all at Grafton over 350m.

It was earlier in March that Smith identified The Thunderbolt as a golden opportunity for Vamoose, a greyhound celebrated for his starting speed.

In preparation, she had him compete at Grafton for a month, which saw him improving with each race.

Grafton Free For All June 21 2023 (350m) – Vamoose (19.91) T: Sue Smith


Now, Smith and her partner, John Miles, are focusing their energies on getting back on track and hopefully making it to the semi-finals.

The Thunderbolt series, with over $200,000 prizemoney, has already witnessed heats at Wagga, Bulli, Gosford, and .

The Thunderbolt heats continue on Friday at and , with qualifiers over the weekend at Dubbo on Saturday, and the final four heats at Grafton on Sunday.

2023 The Thunderbolt Heats Race Series

The 32 Thunderbolt semi-finalists will converge on Grafton over 350m on June 18 for four semi-finals, with first and second progressing to the $75,000 to-the-winner final on June 24.


2023 The Thunderbolt Semi Finalists

Wagga Heats

  • Talakai – T: Wayne Wilmott
  • Loretta Bale – T: Ike McCorkindale
  • Seely’s Queen – T: Rob Tyler
  • Preston Lee – T: Rob Tyler

Gosford Heats

Bulli Heats

  • Wicked Cyclone – T: Rob Tyler
  • Coco Model – T: Tayt Corless
  • Return Mac – T: Shayne Stiff
  • Senorita Joy – T:

Taree Heats

Goulburn Thunderbolt Heats

  • To be decided
  • To be decided
  • To be decided
  • To be decided

Richmond Thunderbolt Heats

  • To be decided
  • To be decided
  • To be decided
  • To be decided

Dubbo Thunderbolt Heats

  • To be decided
  • To be decided
  • To be decided
  • To be decided

Grafton Thunderbolt Heats

  • To be decided
  • To be decided
  • To be decided
  • To be decided

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