Sandown Cup Preview-Promo

Sandown Cup Preview-Promo

Bobby bound for glory

20 May 2011

Brilliant stayer Bobby Boucheau set the track alight in recording the fastest Group 1 Radio Sport National Sandown Cup heat win at Sandown Park tonight.

On a memorable night of greyhound racing that brought together the best staying fields in recent memory, Bobby Boucheau showed why he is widely regarded as one of the country’s best stayers with a an outstanding all-the-way win in a stunning 41.67 seconds – just .03 seconds outside the track record. He defeated the consistent Bramley by 5.5 lengths and the Angela Jackson trained star is likely to start the favourite in next week’s $100,000 to-the-winner final.

Recent Group 2 Easter Chase winner Echelon made no mistake in his heat, racing to a 2.5 length win over track record holder Pillow Torque in a slick 41.73 seconds. Pillow Torque, jumping from box four from which she is yet to win in five starts, found early trouble as Echelon swept around the field from box eight to run down early leader Blues Judd and power to the line to break through for his first Sandown Park win.

In the third and final heat, Shimaguni’s remarkable rise through the staying ranks continued, winning her heat in 42.00 seconds. The youngest and least experienced finalist at just 25 months of age and with just 13 career starts, Shimaguni remains undefeated in four metropolitan ‘half-mile’ runs and has already chalked up 10 wins in her brief career – including the last six on end.

Shimaguni was pushed all the way by Slick Lee, the remarkable New South Wales galloper with an affinity for Sandown Park. Slick Lee stormed home along the rails to be denied by just a nose on the line. In nine starts at the Lightwood Road venue – all in top class – Slick Lee has won three and placed in all others, including three Group finals.

The 2011 Group 1 Radio Sport National Sandown Cup promises to be one of the most exciting in the race’s 49 year history. The finalists include five individual Group race winners and have combined for almost $750,000 in prizemoney, and 108 career wins.

While the country’s best stayers competed for a berth in Australia’s richest staying race, 32 outstanding sprinters contested the heats of the $72,500 Group 3 Dawson.

Iceman Raikkonen upstaged recent Golden Easter Egg winner Radley Bale to record the fastest heat win, stopping the clock in 29.62. Other heat winners included Symmetry, the 2010 Group 1 Solo Melbourne Cup runner-up, who won his heat in 29.82, Group 2 Warrnambool Cup winner Arsonist in 29.85, and Allen Lawson, who defeated the highly fancied Aston Galilee in 29.95.

Both finals will be run at Sandown Park on Thursday 26 May.

In a big night on and off the track, patrons can meet Richmond star Jack Riewoldt who will join the Melbourne Victory’s Archie Thompson trackside. Patrons can win a $2500 Flight Centre voucher, $1000 in free bets, join Mick Sharkie in a Punter’s Club with a $1000 starting pool, and win BIG with a TAB Jackpot quadrella.

Entry is free and gates open at 6.00pm with the first race at 7.00pm. Great dining packages are still available, contact the Club on (03) 9546 9511.

                                                                           Michael Floyd Sandown Racing and Media Manager.

GROUP ONE – RADIO SPORT NATIONAL SANDOWN CUP $100,000 to the winner

	So Seductive                          58 starts 20-14-6 ($204,625) Go Wild Teddy – Smiles Are Free Black Bitch               December ’07 Owner: Tyson Barton                                                Trainer: Kelvyn Greenough Sandown best: 41.70 (5) 21/10/10  (9 Starts 7-1-1) Group Race Honours: WON G1 Bold Trease Carnival Cup, 2nd G1 Galaxy, 2nd G1 Superstayers, 2nd G3 Topcat, 3rd G3 Zoom Top, 4th G2 Gold Cup, 4th G3 Shootout Has been a revelation since stepping up to the ‘half-mile’ and boasts an imposing record this trip and distance. Is contesting her eight Group final so is well at home in this company. Her heat run was her first start in six weeks and will strip fitter in the final. Well boxed.
	Bobby Boucheau                24 starts 14-3-2 ($104,640) Bombastic Shiraz – Dallas Gypsy Black Dog                    May’08            Owner/ Trainer: Angela Jackson                                                      Sandown best: 41.67 (6) 19/05/11  (3 Starts 1-1-1) Group Race Honours: WON G1 Superstayers, 3rd G1 Sale Cup, 3rd G2 Henry Harrison, 4th G2 Zoom Top, 6th G1 Galaxy Fastest heat winner, stopping the clock in 41.67, just half a length outside of the track record. Is approaching peak fitness having now had three runs after a brief let up. Likes to use a bit of the track so is probably best drawn out wide, but should get enough space early to give himself every chance. The likely favourite.
	Pillow Torque                       38 starts 14-9-4 ($93,388) Big Daddy Cool – Abbadale Gold Blue Fawn Bitch                October ’08 Owner: Dan Biddle                                                       Trainer: Troy Iwanyk     Sandown best: 41.64 Rec (8) 20/01/11  (5 Starts 3-2-0) Group Race Honours: WON G2 Henry Harrison, 3rd G1 Galaxy, 4th G3 Big Dog, 6th G2 Zoom Top, 6th SA Oaks Track record holder who found one better in her heat. Has four wins from eight starts from the box and has an affinity with the track. Broke through for her first Group win at her fifth attempt in the Henry Harrison and if she can replicate that run will be very hard to keep out.
	Echelon                                                  17 starts 6-1-4 ($456,215) Mogambo – Off Springer Black Dog                       April ’09             Owner: Len Jones                                                       Trainer: Craig Treherne              Sandown best: 41.73 19/05/11  (3 Starts 1-0-0) Group Race Honours: WON G2 Easter Chase, 4th G2 Henry Harrison Long striding youngster in excellent form. Won G2 Easter Chase in Sydney in outstanding time, and was good again in Henry Harrison. Will need a little space to show his best but his best is good enough to win.
	Shimaguni                                         13 starts 10-1-0 ($44,530) Primo Uno – Messines Black Dog                             April ‘09                         Owners: Scg Syndicate                                              Trainer: Robert Redenbach Sandown best: 41.77 (4) 7/04/11  (2 Starts 2-0-0) Group Race Honours: First Group final The youngest and least experienced of the finalists but perhaps the greyhound with the most upside. Has won now own six in a row and is undefeated since stepping up in distance. Faces her biggest test here but is more than capable of taking out staying racing’s biggest prize.
	Blues Judd                                         32 starts 9-7-4 ($20,740) Big Daddy Cool – Leyden’s Vale Black Dog                       October ’08             Owner / Trainer: David Crawford                                                       Sandown best: 42.38 (6) 7/10/10 (3 Starts 1-0-1) Group Race Honours: First Group final A surprise finalist. Was impressive in his heat but is likely to be out of his depth in this.
	Slick Lee   (NSW)                       77 starts 21-19-14 ($154,560) Brett Lee – Goodoo Mate Black Dog                   November ’07 Owner / Trainer: Keith Pedrana Sandown best: 42.15 (1) 28/04/11 (9 Starts 3-3-3) Group Race Honours: WON G2 Gold Cup, 2nd G2 Henry Harrison, 2nd G2 Gold Cup, 2nd G2 Summer Cup, 3rd G1 Bold Trease, 3rd G3 Newcastle Cup, 3rd G3 Sir John Dillon, 3rd G3 Chairman’s Cup, 4th G1 Sale Cup, 5th G2 Zoom Top, 6th G1 Superstayers, 6th G1 Association Cup Veteran of the field and perhaps the most consistent. Has 12 Group finals to his credit, winning one and being placed in seven others – including three at Sandown Park. Has never missed a place in nine Sandown Park runs but has only two wins in 10 starts from this trap. Will need luck in this.
	Bramley                                23 starts 10-3-3 ($45,185) Big Daddy Cool – Abbadale Gold Black Dog                          October ’08                                 Owners: D Pearce, D Biddle                                     Trainer: Troy Iwanyk Sandown best: 42.06 (4) 28/04/11  (5 Starts 1-2-1) Group Race Honours: 3rd G2 Cranbourne Cup, 3rd All Stars, 5th G2 Henry Harrison, 6th G1 Perth Cup Underrated kennel and littermate to Pillow Torque. A well performed sprinter who has successfully made the transition to the staying ranks. Was an impressive winner of a heat of the Henry Harrison Memorial in April.
	Blue Lorian                                                 64 starts 30-12-11 ($359,015) Surf Lorian – Winsome Bluebird Is a six-time Group race winner but has a poor record at Sandown Park. Will be in the mix should he get a start
	Black Viking                                                             65 starts 16-9-10 ($60,855) Bombastic Shiraz – Tail Lee Can begin but is unlikely to get a start, and will be outclassed if he does   Local expert’s selections for the final are as follows. Mick Floyd                           Ron Hawkswell                    Rob Testa 1st Pillow Torgue               1st Bobby Boucheau        1st  So Seductive 2nd Bobby Boucheau        2nd Echelon                       2nd Pillow Torgue 3rd So Seductive                3rd Pillow Torque                 3rd  Bobby Boucheau

                Local Market provided by on-course bookmaker Alan Schwarz, Fonebet

$175,000  Group 1 Radio Sport National Sandown Cup  (715m)
Box	Greyhound	Trainer	Price
	So Seductive	Kelvyn Greenough	$4
	Bobby Boucheau	Angela Jackson	$3
	Pillow Torque	Troy Iwanyk	$8
	Echelon	Craig Treherne	$11
	Shimaguni	Robert Redenbach	$3.60
	Blues Judd	David Crawford	$26
	Slick Lee	Keith Pedrana	$13
	Bramley	Troy Iwanyk	$11
	Blue Lorian 1st Res	Peter Whye	Res
	Black Viking  2nd Res	Paul Galea	Res

What’s happening on race night?

FREE ENTRY
In a big night on and off the track, patrons can meet Richmond star Jack Riewoldt who will join the Melbourne Victory’s Archie Thompson trackside. Patrons can win a $2500 Flight Centre voucher, $1000 in free bets, join Mick Sharkie in a Punter’s Club with a $1000 starting pool, and win BIG with a TAB Jackpot quadrella.
Dining packages are still available for the Radio Sport National Sandown Cup final.
Sandown also offers the following drink packages:
$65 Package: Sandown’s famous four course buffet + beer, house wine and soft drink
$85 Package: Sandown’s famous four course buffet + beer, house wine and soft drink + basic spirits. Please contact Andrew on (03) 9546 9511 or email afennell@grv.org.au to book your seat.
Facilities at the track include Dining room, snack bar, full tote and bookmaker facilities. Ample parking, and disabled access.
Radio Sport National Sandown Cup Timeline
1963 –      The race first run on the grass track over 785 yards. The race was then known as the Woolamai Cup and had been first conducted in 1957 when won by Orialta.
1964 –      A sand track is installed at Sandown Park
1971 –      Prizemoney increases to $3,000 to the winner. Paul’s Thunder becomes the first greyhound to win two Cups
1973 –      Distance reduced to 718 metres. Lizrene claims her second Cup
1979 –      Temlee sires the first off his three consecutive Cup winners
1981 –      Prizemoney increases to $12,000 to the winner

1984 –      Prizemoney increases to $20,000 to the winner. New Zealander Raurimu wins the Cup

1986 –      Bold Trease claims the first of his four Cups
1987 –      Distance reduced to 716 metres
1989 –      At five years of age, Bold Trease claims his fourth Cup in emphatic fashion, winning by eight lengths
1990 –      Bold Trease narrowly misses the Cup final after emerging from retirement
1993 –      Cup given Group 3 status
1995 –      Cup upgraded to Group 2 status
1996 –      Cup upgraded to Group 1 status. Prizemoney increases to $40,000 to the winner. Distance reduced to 715 metres following reconstruction of Sandown track
1999 –      Radio Sport 927 becomes naming rights sponsor. Prizemoney increases to $50,000 to the winner. Smart Attitude wins the race by 9.5 lengths, equalling Lizrene’s race record
2003 –      Group 3 Lizrene Classic moved to April as a logical lead in to the Sandown Cup carnival
2004 –      Proven Lethal wins in race record time of 42.12 seconds
2005 –      Best Quoted holds off the fast finishing Texas Gold to claim her second group race victory inside a month
2006 –      Sargent Major leads all the way to win his first Group 1, he holds off a stout Turbo Uno this followed the shock scratching Texas Gold.
2007 –      Sandown Cup controversially declared a ‘No Race’ by stewards after Don Hazzard, the trainer of Sky Hazzard, accidentally released the manual start lever.
2009 –      Sandown Cup becomes the richest staying event ever offering a series worth $175,000 and first time winners purse of $100,000.

Radio Sport National Sandown Cup Fact Sheet

Name: Radio Sport National Sandown Cup
Status: Group 1
Distance: 715m
Prizemoney: $140,000 (1st: $100,000 + trophy and rug; 2nd: $17,500, 3rd: $8500)
Date: Final – Thursday 13 May 2009
Heats – Thursday 6 May 2009
First run: 1963 (known as the Woolamai Cup, won by Briar View)
Race record: 42.12 – Proven Lethal, 2004
Entry: FREE entry for the 2009 final
Support: $14,500 Dave Hodgson Memorial (Special Event 515m)
Biggest winning margin: 9.5 lengths – (Lizrene 1973, Smart Attitude 1989)
Smallest winning margin: Half head (Top Sovereign 1994, Boronia Blossom 1996)
Multiple Winners: 4 – Bold Trease (1986-89) 2 – Paul’s Thunder (1970-71)
2 – Lizrene (1972-73)
Going the distance: 1963 – 785 yards (grass)
1964 – 785 yards (sand)
1973 – 718 metres
1987 – 716 metres
1996 – 715 metres

Battle of the sexes: Males have won 8 of the last 11 Cups.
When in doubt: Box 1 has provided 6 of the last 21 winners, though none since 2000

Radio Sport National Sandown Cup Honour Roll

1957 Orialta, 1959 Woodford Chief, 1961 Plunkett’s Present, 1963 Briar View, 1964 Haleka Jewel, 1965 Venetian Court, 1966 Fawn Scout, 1967 Charlie Lee, 1968 Sprite of Egypt, 1969 Local Blend, 1970 Paul’s Thunder, 1971 Paul’s Thunder, 1972 Lizrene, 1973 Lizrene, 1974 Corcoran, 1975 Tammy Shanta, 1976 Brindle Norma, 1977 Rani’s Copy, 1978 Kawati Boy, 1979 Miss Tema, 1980 Wynlee Wonder,  1981 Bianca Lee, 1982 Status Supreme, 1983 Lead Role, 1984 Raurimu, 1985 Tashla, 1986 Bold Trease, 1987 Bold Trease, 1988 Bold Trease, 1989 Bold Trease, 1990 Western Creole, 1991 Pixie Eyes, 1992 Village Stomper, 1993 Eliza Dylan, 1994 Top Sovereign, 1995 Keon Star, 1996 Boronia Blossom, 1997 Tonight’s Wish, 1998 Red Mystique, 1999 Smart Attitude, 2000 Osti’s Joker, 2001 Bentley Babe, 2002 Jennev, 2003 Arvo’s Junior, 2004 Proven Lethal, 2005 Best Quoted, 2006 Sargent Major, 2007 “No Race” 2008 Chinatown Lad, 2009 Mantra Lad and 2010 Next Top Model .

       Thanks for information supplied by Michael Floyd Sandown Administration.

 

For more information on the 2009 Radio Sport 927 Sandown Cup, contact Michael Floyd on (03) 9546 9511, or email mfloyd@sandowngreyhounds.com.au .

For more information please contact: Neil Brown GCA Publicity Officer Tel: 03 97691234 Mob: 0423 129 950 nbrown@agra.com.au

David Simonette GCA Executive Officer simonette7862@gmail.com