Simply Limelight up to the task in State Of Origin Match Race
The renowned State Of Origin greyhound race series is set to make its return, and the anticipation in the air is palpable.
The stage is set for an iconic showdown at Brisbane Greyhound Racing Club's Albion Park greyhound track with the Origin Match Race, among other exciting events, slated for Thursday June 15 2023.
The exhilarating inter-state rivalry between New South Wales and Queensland will be reignited with the 2023 Group 3 Origin Sprint and 2023 Group 3 Origin Distance, in addition to the eagerly awaited 2023 Listed State Of Origin Match Race worth $50,000 to-the-winner.
A formidable competitor steps into the limelight this year – the New South Wales star dog, Simply Limelight, trained by Peter Rodgers, a veteran dog man with 50 years of greyhound experience under his belt.
Check out the betting preview and betting strategy for Albion Park on June 15, 2023.
Rodgers, who is making his maiden appearance in the Blues team for this Origin series, is brimming with confidence about his kennel star's potential, especially in the Origin Match Race format.
In a one-on-one event that is sure to hold spectators enthralled, Simply Limelight will come head-to-head with Queensland's champion, Jay Is Jay, the Albion Park track record holder.
Rodgers recognises the challenge that Jay Is Jay presents, but he is not one to back down.
He believes his 2023 Group 1 Golden Easter Egg champion, Simply Limelight, is up to the task, describing him as an “alpha male” with a singular focus on winning, unfazed by the competition, and relentless in his pursuit of the finish line.
2023 Group 1 Golden Easter Egg (Wentworth Park, 520m) – Simply Limelight (29.48) T: Peter Rodgers
The two greyhounds are no strangers to each other, having previously competed in the 2023 Group 2 Queensland Derby, where Jay Is Jay emerged victorious.
2023 Group 2 Queensland Derby (Albion Park, 520m) – Jay Is Jay (29.88) T: Selena Zammit
However, Rodgers sees this past encounter as a valuable experience for Simply Limelight, giving the dog the familiarity of the Brisbane track and the knowledge of his opponent's style.
With 47 starts under his belt, Simply Limelight is a seasoned competitor, ready to square off against his formidable opponent.
Despite the rivalry, there's a shared mutual respect among the competitors. Mick Zammit, representing the kennel of Jay Is Jay, commends Simply Limelight, lauding his exceptional one-on-one performance and acknowledging the dog's impressive career.
He further pays tribute to Rodgers, acknowledging the commendable job he has done in training Simply Limelight.
The events leading up to the Origin Match Race have been nothing short of dramatic.
Simply Limelight, despite a minor setback in April, rebounded with a triumphant victory over two-time Group 1 winner She's A Pearl in late May, showing that he's in fine form for the upcoming race.
Wentworth Park FFA May 23 2023 (520m) – Simply Limelight (29.60) T: Peter Rodgers
The stage is set, and the stakes are high.
As these two champions, Simply Limelight and Jay Is Jay, prepare to square off on the track, the 2023 State Of Origin greyhound race series promises to deliver an unforgettable spectacle of speed, skill, and rivalry.
Racing Queensland (RQ) and Greyhound Racing New South Wales (GRNSW) named their 2023 State Of Origin squads back in late May, with both NSW and Queensland holding two victories each since the inaugural 2018 event.
Queensland claimed the inaugural series, and New South Wales responded with a victory in 2019.
The 2020 event was canceled due to COVID-19, further elevating anticipation for this year's series.
The final State Of Origin greyhound race teams were named only late last week, but almost immediately incurred setbacks with NSW greyhound trainer Andy Lord withdrawing two of his greyhounds from the race series.
In this year's Listed State Of Origin Match Race, online bookmakers have priced Queensland's Jay Is Jay as -200 favourite with Simply Limelight a +150 chance from box one in the head-to-head greyhound race.
2023 Listed State Of Origin Match Race
2023 Origin Match Race Box Draw & FieldAlbion Park520mListed$50,000 to-the-winner$10,000 for secondThursday June 15 2023
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1 Simply Limelight
T: Peter RodgersF: 1F13Career: 47: 19-8-8Prizemoney: $449,245
+150
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3 Jay Is Jay
T: Selena ZammitF: 4111Career: 24: 11-5-3Prizemoney: $233,640
-200
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| Reserves | |
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9 Shipwreck
T: Ned SnowF: 5483Career: 51: 15-13-8Prizemoney: $302,090
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10 Wyndra All Class
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Odds correct at time of publication