Caption: Champagne Jazzy on her way to victory in the recent Capalaba (Photo: Just Greyhound Photos)
Capalaba News With ALEX NOLAN
Despite a couple of false starts the green light is finally on for the National Straight Track Championship Final at Capalaba on December 19.
At the time of writing, all participating states, namely Victoria, NSW, South Australia and Queensland had committed to staging the event, despite continued nervousness about the Queensland border reopening date.
Queensland heats will commence on December 5, with the state qualifying final on December 12. Nominations for the heats will close on Friday, December 3, at 9.30am.
Interstate qualification will take place at Healesville (GRV), Richmond (GRNSW), and Murray Bridge (GRSA). All state finals will carry prizemoney of $5,000 to the winner.
Two greyhounds from each state will qualify for the NSTC Final at Capalaba worth total prizemoney of $37,500 ($25,000 to the winner).
It’s music to the ears of Capalaba Treasurer Erin Cameron.
The club stalwart, her committee and wider team were left frustrated when the series originally penned for July was again rescheduled for obvious reasons.
“We had vests made and all. Who’s going to wear them in December?” Cameron joked.
“But we’re thrilled the event will go ahead and are fortunate to have so many great people at the club to make it happen.”
Cameron also made special mention of the Racing Queensland team, in particular Marketing Manager Mitch Jones.
“He has been fabulous,” Cameron said.
“He did all our logos … for years we did it by ourselves. He’s been a massive help.”
Cameron said she was confident interstate representation would be strong, noting Healesville Club Manager Cynthia O’Brien said she’d be there ‘with bells on’.
“She’s absolutely amazing and a massive advocate of straight-track racing,” Cameron said.
CAPALABA CUP RECEIVES BOOST
Capalaba’s showpiece event will be a major beneficiary of the recent prizemoney increases announced by Racing Queensland.
From 2022 the Cup will be worth a staggering $60,000 and on its way to reaching Group 2 status.
It comes as part of a $685,000 investment in Queensland Group and Listed features and will see the winning connections take home $40,000.
Racing at Capalaba is also set to benefit from its share in $3 million in general prizemoney increases.
Racing Queensland Chairman Steve Wilson AM said greyhound racing would be a major beneficiary of the total $15.3 million prizemoney boost across the three codes of racing, which followed a ‘record year of growth and strong profitability’.
CHAMPAGNE FLOWS IN FUTURITY
Champagne Jazzy justified her $1.15 quote to win the 2021 Capalaba Futurity in dominant fashion on November 21.
The Ray and Mary Burman bred, reared and trained bitch jumped from Box 8 and, after going toe-to-toe mid-race with Miss Maddy Lee, dashed clear in the concluding stages to win in 19.90sec.
Champagne Jazzy picked up the $5,250 to the winner cheque and took her career earnings beyond the $26,000 mark at just start 23.
She is now nipping at the heels of kennel brother Davey Fawner, who is the highest prizemoney earner of the highly talented Out Of Range x Champagne Sally litter.
Champagne Sally earlier this year whelped her second litter by superstar race dog Sennachie.
