Cheltenham Lass Inducted To Hall Of Fame

Greyhound Racing Victoria (GRV) tonight launched its Victorian Greyhound Racing at Sandown Greyhound Racing Club.
Cheltenham Lass has tonight been announced as one of the inaugural 36 inductees in to the Victorian Greyhound Racing Hall Of Fame.

Hall Of Fame Inductee : Chelltenham Lass (Racing Greyhound)

In late 1960, Lal Scurrah bought a Dasher's Bow-Dinah Jet female pup, later named Fairbairn Queen.

And in December 1963, Fairbairn Queen was bred with the immortal . In fact, she was the second brood matron Black Top served.

These events were instrumental in the Scurrah name being associated with a champion sprinter during the 1960s.

Under the expert training of Paul Hogan, Cheltenham Lass ensured her name would be preserved for posterity.

Cheltenham Lass won the 1966 and finished second in the 1965 Melbourne Cup. And she also finished runner-up in the 1966 and 1967 Australian Cups.

“She was an absolute champion, a dream greyhound,” Scurrah said.

“When Fawn Nulla ran her down in the 1967 Australian Cup, she was suffering from cataracts. It was the only time she was run down in a race and we immediately retired her.”

Hogan's daughter, Sandra Reed of Drouin, says Lal Scurrah and her father had a great partnership.

“There was never any conflict… Lal was a true gentleman,” Sandra said.

“He left everything to dad, and would take his advice on what sires to use.

“Lal was so easy going, and he ‘took it on the chin' when the kennel was having a bad trot.”

Sandra says Cheltenham Lass was a “wonderful” greyhound.

“She had a satin coat and epitomised health. It was like she'd had a bath in conditioner…

She had something special about her.

“However, she was very docile and relaxed. She didn't have much personality.”

Sandra recalls Cheltenham Lass winning the 1966 Melbourne Cup…

“We were in the ‘old stand' at Sandown Park when she won the cup. The place was packed and I thought the whole stand was going to collapse, such was the crowd's excitement as she crossed the line.

“We took the Melbourne Cup back to the Scurrahs residence and drank champagne out of it.”

Notable Acheivements

  • Winner 1965 1 Laurels
  • Winner 1966 Group 1 Melbourne Cup
  • Runner-up 1965 Group 1 Melbourne Cup
  • Runner-up 1966 Group 1 Australian Cup
  • Runner-up 1967 Group 1 Australian Cup

The 36 Victorian Greyhound Racing Hall of Fame inductees are in three broad categories:

  • The Pioneers (8) – recognised by the selection committee as having shaped Greyhound Racing's early days.
  • The People (15) – includes trainers, breeders, owners, administrators and other prominent personalities.
  • The Greyhounds (13) – includes achievements on the racetrack and at stud.

The 36 inductees are as follows:

    PIONEERS [8]
  • Noel Banks – Administrator
  • Byamee – Coursing Greyhound
  • Silvester Doyle – Administrator
  • – Administrator
  • Ray Herbert – Trainer
  • Roy Maidment – Administrator
  • John ‘Jack' McKenna – Administrator
  • George Schofield – Administrator
  • GREYHOUNDS [13]

  • Bold Trease – Racing Greyhound
  • Brett Lee – Racing Greyhound
  • Chariot Supreme – Breeding Greyhound
  • Cheltenham Lass – Racing Greyhound
  • Trip – Racing Greyhound
  • Head Honcho – Breeding Greyhound
  • Highly Blessed – Racing Greyhound
  • – Racing Greyhound
  • Lizrene – Racing Greyhound
  • Odearo – Racing Greyhound
  • Rookie Rebel – Racing Greyhound
  • Temlee – Breeding Greyhound
  • – Breeding Greyhound
  • PEOPLE [15]

  • Graeme Bate – Trainer
  • Fred Booth – Studmaster
  • Ned Bryant – Trainer
  • Ken Carr – Administrator
  • William ‘Bill' Conroy – Administrator
  • Rod Deakin – Breeder
  • Jim – Veterinarian
  • Henry Harrison – Administrator
  • Dave Hodgson – Canine Chiropractor
  • Paul Hogan – Breeder/Trainer
  • Stan Lake – Administrator
  • – Administrator
  • Ron Nestor – Administrator
  • Bill Pearson – Media
  • Margaret Thomas – Administrator

All future Victorian Hall of Fame inductees will be announced at the annual Victorian Greyhound Industry Awards, with a maximum of four inductees in any given year.

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