Billy Bobaggings First To Capture Labtech Stayers Bonus
Billy Bobaggings 42.66 win on Friday night (19.11.10) at Wentworth Park, meant he was the first greyhound to capture the Labtech Stayers Bonus of an additional $1,000 prizemoney.
The Michael Blissett trained stayer secured the bonus payment after recording his third consecutive win at Wentworth Park, all recorded this month.
The white and black dog stepped well from the one alley, to lead all the way over the 720m journey, setting his personal best time in the five and half length victory over Cristalle and Miracle Miss.
The short odds favourite returned a $2.20 dividend for oncourse patrons who managed to shop well when bookmakers took on punters just before the jump, slightly better than the $1.80 available with the TAB.
With the greyhound's confidence sky high, the Group 2 Summer Cup heats this Saturday night at headquarters looks set to be Billy Bobaggings next challenge.
The third of the six Wentworth Park group stayers event on the AGRA calendar will draw good support from NSW and interstate trainers, given the recent initiatives to encourage staying events.
Introduced in September, thanks to the backing of Labtech, the NSW GBOTA supported Greyhound Racing NSW's increase in prizemoney for staying races with the development of this bonus which will be split between the owner and trainer.
Speaking in September about the bonus NSW GBOTA Chairman, Geoff Rose, said the bonus would apply initially until June 2011 at which time it will be reviewed. He added that he hoped that the bonus would assist with various initiatives which aimed to encourage greater support for long distance racing.
“The NSW GBOTA has for sometime committed to staging FFA staying events at Wentworth Park so long as there are a minimum six nominations,” said Rose.
“The intent behind this was to assure trainers that we would support staying development where at all possible.
“The GRNSW prizemoney boost and the Labtech bonus continue to reinforce with trainers that those supporting staying racing will be supported by the greyhound code's administration.”
The general public are encouraged to get trackside for the series, starting Saturday November 27, with oncourse competition for an Everdue Red Rock Fraser BBQ and 10 seats to the Group 3 AAA Radiator Christmas Gift (December 18) running over heat and final night.