State Of Origin – Qld Greyhound Racing’s Top 17

With the deciding game of this year's State Of Origin series this Wednesday night, Australian Racing Greyhound has compiled our own state teams featuring the best of all time from Queensland and New South Wales. As always, a list of this nature draws with it controversy and we the authors acknowledge that an argument can be made for the countless other (greats) who are not listed below. This list represents the Queensland Team and their contribution to ; past, present and future.

1.Tony Zammit – (Trainer – Coach)

Champion Queensland Trainer and Hall of Fame inductee. Winner of 17 Metropolitan Queensland Training Premierships including 11 in a row. Trained Qld Greyhound of the Year winners and finalists as well as countless group winners. Zammit has produced top chasers including – Surf Lorian, Credibility and Trojan Tears amongst a host of other superstars. Involvement in the industry spanning over 40 years and a testament to the racing game. Possesses the ability to always have his chasers give 110%.

2. Tony Brett (Trainer)

Tony Brett has put the polish on some of the best greyhounds to have graced the track in recent years including Bogie Leigh, , Glen Gallon and Queen Lauryn to name only a few. A trainer that tests his ability on a national scale, he isn't afraid to travel interstate targeting feature group races and the rewards that they bring. A trainer with a great belief in his ability he has put the polish on Greyhound of year winners and finalists, track record holders and countless group winners.

3. Top Simbi (Milimsimbi – Susie Voile) Whelped March 1971

In the 1970's, Thursday night racing at the Gabba would come alive under lights and the greyhound the crowd came to see was the Queensland Greyhound Hall of Famer Top Simbi. He excelled at the Gabba winning 20 and running second 3 times from 24 starts. Overall he won 30 races from 49 starts. He was the Gabba Greyhound of the year in 1973 and 1974. A white and brindle chaser his best wins included Lord Mayer's Cup, Gabba Sprint Championship and the Exhibition Trophy. Trained by Bert Kennedy he was famous for living on the family lounge and was the Gabba 558m track record holder.

4. Pretty Fearless (Pretty Short – Fearless Payout) Whelped January 1985

The 1987 Queensland Greyhound of the Year and another inducted into the Queensland Hall of Fame, Pretty Fearless travelled the country racing and beating the best at the time. Trained by Reg and Mary Crawford, the brindle chaser won the Coca-Cola Cup at the Gabba and the Mining Cup (Perth) and All State Challenge (Perth). He started 47 times for 20 wins and 20 placing's and finished his career on top of the prizemoney list at the time with $103,000 in stakes.

5. New Tears (Pretty Short – Starfire Lady) Whelped June 1985

A brilliant race track performer who would become an even greater success at stud. A race career that compiled 32 starts resulting in 24 wins, he was a track record holder at Ipswich, Tweed Heads and Park. At stud he dominated the Australian scene and his name can be found in the pedigree of some of the all-time greats including – Trojan Tears, Sobbing Sal and Light Of Fire. His daughters have thrown champions including Brett Lee, Cool and No Intent to name but a few. A Queensland star both on and off the track, a Queensland Hall of Famer and one of the most potent pedigrees in Australian racing.

6. Tenthill Flyer (Chariot Supreme – National Queen) Whelped May 1988

The broodbitch responsible for generations of greyhounds, Tenthill Flyer produced the first two inductee's into the Australian Greyhound Hall of Fame in brilliant bitches, Tenthill Doll (by Malawi's Prince) and Flying Amy (by Credibility). The Jim Gallaway trained chaser had ability on the track setting a track record at Moree and winning a Lord Mayer's Cup at the Gabba. Found in the pedigree of many champions, she changed the industry off the track producing offspring who can be found in the champions of the past and today.

7. Credibility (Worth Doing – No Liability) Whelped December 1989

Super-fast greyhound on the track who would make his mark as a sire, producing champions whose pedigrees dominate Australian racing. The winner of 21 races with a further 9 placing's from 39 starts, he was a Track record holder at Toowoomba. He tasted success in winning the Lawnton Cup, Gold Coast Derby, and was a finalist in the National Derby, Tweed Galaxy and Richmond Derby. At stud he produced Just The Best, Nobody's Fool, Yo Yo's Boy, Faithful Hawk and Bearability to name a few. A Queensland Hall of Fame inductee.

8. Flying Amy (Amerigo Man – Tenthill Flyer) Whelped May 1992

The Ron Ball trained immortal Flying Amy was a superstar both on and off the track, where her influence continues in racing pedigrees throughout Australia. With 59 career starts resulting in 42 wins, 5 seconds and 5 thirds, the 1994 and 1995 Queensland Greyhound of the Year winner is the best of all time. An inductee into the Hall of Fame, the brindle bitch broke the magical 30 seconds at Albion Park on 9 occasions and was the long standing track record holder at an unheard of 29.73. A multiple group winner and finalist, she is the dam of Just The Best and the most influential greyhound in Queensland history.

9. Tenthill Doll (Malawi's Prince – Tenthill Flyer) Whelped March 1993

Greyhound Hall of Fame inductee Tenthill Doll was Queensland born and commenced racing on the old Toowoomba track prior to her sale to NSW for $20,000 after 13 starts. A wonderful racetrack performer, she finished her career with 56 starts for 31 wins, 10 seconds and 7 thirds. A multiple group winning bitch and finalist she would be remembered for her success in 3 consecutive Group 1's, the Egg, and Australian Cup. Finishing her career with $382,000 in prizemoney (Australian Record at Time) she was known for her ability to lead or come from behind in what was a remarkable career. From the same dam as fellow legend Flying Amy, a brilliant greyhound that changed the lives of those around her.

10. Just The Best (Credibility – Flying Amy) Whelped January 1997

Champion sire Just The Best has influenced the pedigrees of greyhounds the world over. The winner of 9 races from 15 starts, with a further 3 placing's his average winning margin was in excess of 11 lengths. Sub 30 sec runs at Albion Park indicated his ability and he came close to the Albion Park track record with a Best 29.78 – the second quickest ever at the time. Injury stopped a race track career but his success continued off it. At stud JTB produced champions including Hall of Famer Bogie Leigh, Surf Lorian, Elite State and Big Daddy Cool plus many more. JTB female offspring continue to produce with his dams throwing champions including stud dogs and group winners. With royal bloodlines he was destined to be a success and continues to be so.

11. Bogie Leigh (Just The Best – Hypo Havoc) Whelped April 2001

With a career record of 68 starts for 48 wins, 12 seconds and 5 thirds Bogie Leigh set race tracks alight throughout Australia winning over $488,000 in prizemoney. Trained by leading mentor Tony Brett the black chaser was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2005. Bogie Leigh started in 13 Group race finals, winning the 2003 Group 1 , 2003 Group 1 Sapphire Crown Classic, 2003 Group 2 Queensland Futurity, 2003 Group 3 Cup, 2004 Group 1 Golden Easter Egg, 2004 Group 1 Australian Cup. She was the 2004 QLD Greyhound of the Year and the best of her time.

12. Surf Lorian (Just The Best – Barrio Fiesta) Whelped April 2002

Multiple track record holder Surf Lorian produced on the track and continues to produce off it as a leading sire of Group winners and track record breakers throughout Australia. From 19 careers starts, Surf Lorian won 15 with 1 second and 1 third. Track record performances at Albion Park 520 (29.73 Equal (Twice)), Ipswich 520m (30.18), Gold Coast 429 (24.06), and Gold Coast 457 (25.61). The winner of the Group 2 Peter Mosman at Wentworth Park, Surf Lorian was also a Group finalists in the Group 1 Winter Cup at Albion Park and the Group 2 Qld Derby. At stud he has produced Slater, Made To Size, Miss Hot Gossip, Blue Lorian plus many more.

13. Black Enforcer (Token Prince – Miss Corleone) Whelped June 2003

Black Enforcer was a track superstar who dominated racing in 2005. From 35 career starts he finished with 26 wins and 2 placing's tasting group success when winning the Group 1 Topgun and Group 2 Queensland Derby. He represented Queensland in the National Sprint Final finishing 4th in the final behind Pure Octane. He ran BON times at every track he raced; Albion Park, Gold Coast, Wentworth Park and the Meadows. Retiring to stud with $207,000 in prizemoney, the black chaser was a member of a fantastic litter that included Qld sprint start Token Jet. Black Enforcer has continued to make a name for himself at stud with his offspring winning Group events and being track record holders.

14. Made To Size (Surf Lorian – Queen Size) Whelped April 2005

The trained superstar joins the team as the fastest ever at Albion Park, an unheard of 29.57 TR. The red fawn chaser broke the magical 30 seconds at Albion Park on 7 occasions in his decorated career that finished with 48 starts for 21 wins, and 19 placing's. On the track he won the Group 1 Winter Cup, Group 3 Pert Cup Consolation, and was a finalist in the Group 1 Melbourne Cup and Group 1 Brisbane Cup where he suffered a career ending injury. Sold at stud to overseas interest he now stands in .

15. Dashing Corsair (Malfoy – Rose Flamenco) Whelped April 2007

The champion greyhound was the first ever to win both the National Sprint (2009) and National Distance (2011) finals – an event that first started in 1965. The 2010 Queensland Greyhound of the Year was trained by Dwyer Lennon and has won the most races at Albion Park, 33 in total eclipsing the long standing record of Winged Runner. Overall he was an iron dog, facing the starter on 124 occasion's for 57 wins, 16 seconds and 14 thirds. He was a brilliant sprinter and stayer as well as multiple group winner and finalist. He won the 2009 Group 1 National Sprint final in Perth, the 2011 Group 1 National Distance in Brisbane, Group 3 Big Dog Cup, the Super stayers invitational. Overall he sits number 14 on the all-time prizemoney list with $455,000.

16. High Earner (Collision – Double Guess) Whelped May 2007

Second overall in the prizemoney list behind the mighty Miata, the ill-fated High Earner set Australian racetracks alight with his tenacious chasing ability and brilliant box speed. The winner of 33 starts, with a further 13 seconds and 8 thirds from 69 overall starts he was a 6 time Group winner and 12 time Group finalist. With Group 1 wins in the Perth Cup (twice) and Temlee he was a favourite all over Australia. From an outstanding damline that has also produced and Never Enough he lived up to his name on the track before his ill demise off it when his stud career was just beginning.
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17. Glen Gallon (Flying Stanley – Incoherent) Whelped August 2009

Third on the all-time prizemoney list with $597,000, Queensland's favourite greyhound continues to inspire the industry with his performances around Australia. The 14 time Group finalist and 3 time Group 1 winner has raced the best since his 8th start. With 64 starts resulting in 36 wins and 12 minor placing's, he has traversed Australia captivating the industry with guts and determination. Trained by leading mentor Tony Brett, Glen Gallon last start won the Group 1 Winter Cup at Albion Park. Although reaching the twilight of his career, he will long be remembered as one of the greats for Queensland and Australia.

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