Caption: HGRC president Steve Lockley with handler Kyana Franks and Rupee Rebel after the chaser’s win in the Smithawards Tasmanian St Leger (461m) at Hobart. (Photo: Tasracing.com.au)
TASMANIAN NEWS With BRENNAN RYAN
HOW quickly the year flies by, and now we’re entering the final stretch of 2024, heading straight for the finish line.
Tasmania is buzzing with excitement for the upcoming prestigious Summer Chasing Carnival, featuring the three major events: the G1 Hobart Thousand (461m), the G3 Devonport Chase (461m), and the G2 Launceston Cup (515m).
The esteemed Group 1 Hobart Thousand series, sponsored by Ladbrokes and celebrated as a time-honoured event, commences with the heats on Thursday night, December 5 in Hobart, over the challenging 461-metre distance.
Hobart is famous for its challenging U-turn track, which has tested some of best chasers Australia has seen.
Since the establishment of the Hobart Thousand, racers nationwide have competed for the prestigious trophy and the now substantial first prize of $100,000.
The event has been an exciting feature of Australian greyhound racing at the TCA since the 1930s.
The HGRC moved venues to the Showgrounds in the 1980ss before shifting over to Elwick Racecourse in 2006.
Now in its 87th year, the iconic Hobart Thousand has drawn some renowned names. Those fortunate enough to have claimed victory in recent decades include Superman, Dyna Tron, Paw Licking, Above All and Tommy Shelby.
Last year, Crackerjack Bull clinched the trophy, providing Jordan Cooper with his first Group 1 win as a trainer.
Every edition of the race holds the promise of outstanding outcomes for those fortunate enough to have a contender vying for Group 1 honours.
The meeting on Thursday, December 12, stands as a night of sentiment for all involved.
The meeting features memorial races honouring the late Denise Fysh, Billy Grice and Bob Brown and victories in those events are much coveted within the industry.
The new year commences with the Group 3 Ladbrokes Chase. This event, hosted by the HGRC on behalf of the NWGRC, is a local race that offers participants an excellent opportunity to win serious prizemoney.
The heats are decided on Thursday, January 9, leading up to the main event on Thursday, January 16, with a $30,000 first prize.
This event will also feature the significant minor event, the Angus Evans Memorial Chase Consolation over 461m.
We then journey to Launceston culminating in the grand finale, the Group 2 Ladbrokes Launceston Cup over 515 metres.
The race, known for its outstanding lineup of competitors, is once again offering a substantial first prize of $60,000. The heats will take place on Monday night, January 27, leading up to the final on Monday, February 3.
The Summer Chasing Carnival may be the highlight, but the historic Clarkie Tyres Maiden Thousand, an esteemed fixture in Australian racing, will also be run in late January.
The Devonport Breeders Classic series also takes place in Hobart in December.
Rupee Rebel dominates St. Leger
Promising chaser Rupee Rebel gave Burnie trainer Allan Clark a second prestigious win in the space of two weeks when he scored a dominant win in the Smithawards Tasmanian St. Leger (461m) in Hobart.
After triumphing in the Gary Sutton Breeders Classic in September, the up-and-comer Rupee Rebel was too strong again in the St. Leger.
Now with six wins from 15 starts (at the time of writing), the son of Aston Rupee and Lily Lola, fought off the late challenge from kennelmate Teddy Danger and Seattle, who dead-heated for the second. The winner’s other kennelmate, Simply Danger, came in fourth.
Rupee Rebel posted a time of 25.85 seconds – a great performance going forward.
Clark had the advantage with his three finalists all from a single litter, who were bred by Simon Milgate and raced with Chelsi Gale in the ownership.
“It was a fantastic accomplishment,” Clark said after the St. Leger victory.
“They deserve a break. Rupee Rebel’s career achievements have been remarkable.
“The litter has been racing for quite some time and will soon be taking a well-deserved rest.”
Clark is likely to skip the rapidly approaching Group 1 Ladbrokes Hobart Thousand in December, focusing instead on the Group 3 Devonport Chase in the new year, which is set to be Rupee Rebel’s major mission.
In a thrilling upset, the outsider Two Girls, outpaced the race favourite Sweet Sundown (for Patrick Ryan) to claim victory in the $11,115 Aussie Rocks @ Stud Tasmanian Laurels (461m).
Trained by Glenn Howlett at Pontville, the daughter of Beast Unleashed started at $71 from box 6, but defied those odds, sweeping around the outside of the field to win by 1-3/4 lengths.
Howlett was under the impression that Two Girls possessed the capability, but on paper, with one from 13 starts, she seemed significantly outclassed in a quality field.
“She is incredibly strong, always seeming to want further ground,” said Howlett.
“As the field bunched up on the first turn, Two Girls was positioned wide and appeared comfortable there.
“When she moved closer to the leaders, she really knuckled down to the task.
“It seemed she had every chance if she was close enough.”
Fast Minardi to stand at stud in Tassie
Group 2 Launceston Cup champion and track record-setting performer Fast Minardi is set to begin his stud career in Tasmania, under the care of his owner Ross Freeman.
Freeman, who is based at Legana, just 12 kilometres north of Launceston, was once a harness trainer, who never imagined such a successful return to the world of greyhound racing years later.
Freeman briefly trained greyhounds long ago before moving on to explore different interests.
Ross’s brother, Michael Freeman, persuaded him to visit Paul Hili’s Loira property, where Ross was introduced to a Fernando Bale-Cheeky Vixen litter, marking the beginning of a memorable ride.
“Right from the start, it was an incredible journey,” said Freeman regarding Fast Minardi’s racing career.
“Fast Minardi was an exceptional chaser, displaying remarkable versatility. The greater the distance, the more he excelled, even with age.”
The light brindle chaser marked his first victory in 2022, clocking an impressive 30.49 seconds at Launceston over 515-metres at his second career start. That was the beginning of what would be a stellar career guided by trainer Paul Hili, who also bred the superstar performer.
Fast Minardi achieved 38 victories and 18 minor placings in 63 starts, accumulating $302,935 in prizemoney.
Speed, strength, stamina, chase … he had it all.
The crowning glory of his career came in the Group 2 Launceston Cup Final earlier this year, having run a gallant second in the race to Wynburn Ruby a year prior. On the mainland he also ran second in the Group 1 National Distance Championship and third in the Group 1 Rookie Rebel at The Meadows.
Overall, Fast Minardi appeared in five Group races finals, including the 2024 Sandown Cup (Group 1), 2023 Launceston Cup (Group 2) and the 2023 Devonport Chase (Group 3).
His accomplishments locally included the Launceston Gold Collar, Illingworth Classic, Tasmanian Derby, J.G. Nelson Cup, Vet’s Medley, City of Devonport Cup, Tasmanian Distance Championship and the Paul Bullock Cup.
Fast Minardi’s affinity for the Launceston track was remarkable. He posted 25 victories at the track across all three distances from 500 to 700 metres and established track records with a time of 29.09 seconds over 515 metres and 33.90 seconds over 600 metres.
He was also a multiple winner at Sandown Park and The Meadows, clocking sensational winning times.
“When Paul (Hili) educated the litter around Launceston, three showed equal potential.
“Fast Minardi’s initial trials demonstrated a keen field sense from the start, clearly indicating he had a bright future,” Freeman recalled.
“The biggest challenge early in his career came when he entered the 2023 Launceston Cup after only 12 starts.
“To chase down seasoned dogs like Nail ‘Em Fencer and Fernando Mick to win his heat was an incredible feat for a young pup.
“Paul and Jodie Hili did an exceptional job in training the dog throughout his entire career.”
It came as no surprise that Fast Minardi was named the 2023 Tasmanian Greyhound of the Year, marking the pinnacle of an outstanding career.
Tragically, his career concluded prematurely with a severe fall in the home stretch of the Sandown Cup Final, just as he was poised to win the Group 1 staying showpiece.
The incident resulted in a broken front leg, but fortunately, with immediate veterinary care after the race, Fast Minardi has fully recovered. Now retired, he resides with Ross and is registered for stud duties.
Fast Minardi has now served his first bitch, Rojo Can (Fabregas-Sing The Song) which is a sister to topline performer Rojo Diamond for breeder Robin Grubb.
Fast Minardi’s stud fee is set for $1000.
“The stud scene is crowded with many dogs, making it a highly competitive market.
“We’re hopeful that Fast Minardi will gain some interest and attract some quality broodbitches. Given his record, ability, and bloodline, he certainly deserves a chance,” Freeman said.
For Ross, his wife Cheryl, and their grandson Ethan, the experience with Fast Minardi was unforgettable, and they eagerly anticipate the next chapter.
