Caption: Qld Greyhound of the Year, Oh Mickey (Photo: Box 1 Photography)

By Brisbane Greyhound Club CEO LUKE GATEHOUSE

There was so much to celebrate at the recent 2020 TAB Queensland Greyhound of the Year Awards.

First up, a big ‘Well Done!’ to the staff at Racing Queensland for a very professionally run (and fun) night at the Victoria Park Golf Club.

What stood out for me across the night was the fact that this sport is well represented throughout the State and also across most demographics. It showcased the diversity and inclusiveness of this industry.

As I have stated before, I am a massive advocate for the promotion of youth in greyhound racing, so it was great to see such a worthy recipient in Jemma Daley take out the Young Achiever Award.

The QRIC Welfare Award went to North Queensland’s Jo Wooler; The outstanding Contribution Award to Bundaberg champion volunteer Lorraine Horton and of course the Woman In Racing Award to Pauline Byers.

Pauline is one of many great stories of the night. When her husband and very successful trainer, Col,  passed away, it would have been understandable if Pauline had disappeared from the sport. Instead she has continued Col’s legacy and made her own mark in the industry.

The selection of Oh Mickey for the premier award, the Queensland Greyhound of the Year, was also a very popular choice.

As outlined in a story on Page 10, the arrival of Simon Told Helen to Tony Brett’s kennels could also be a boost Queensland’s greyhounds ‘Origin’ chances.

This Origin series, which runs amid the rugby league version, has been a big success in recent years and will only get more and more popular.

At the moment the event is staged at Albion Park, which is a big advantage to the Maroons, but as the concept gets bigger and bigger don’t be surprised if the Blues want a slice of this south of the border.

Of course, it is the perfect appetiser to our Group 1 Brisbane Cup and Queensland Cup in July.