Orchestrate is Qld GOTY … now for that $1million race

April 1, 2023

Caption: Fleur and Tony Brett with their 2022 Greyhound of the Year Award for Orchestrate (Photo: Box 1 Photography)

By Pat McLeod

Powerhouse trainer Tony Brett says newly-crowned Queensland Greyhound of the Year, Orchestrate, could return to racing as his trump card for the $1million Brisbane Cup (520m) at the upcoming Winter Carnival.

Despite attacking the State’s richest race as a four-year-old Brett has no doubt the veteran still has the legs for Group One glory.

“He (Orchestrate) will be having a crack at it (the Brisbane Cup),” Brett said soon after the Queensland Greyhound of the Year (2022) Award announcement on Friday night.

“The million-dollar race is coming up soon, June/July. Orchestrate is probably a couple of months from coming back onto the track.

“You just never know with old dogs like him. It is not always the fastest dog that wins these races. His racing pattern puts him into those sort of races. It is all about timing.

“A dog like him could win … they’re just good dogs. And he still has plenty in the legs.”

Brett said he was humbled that another dog from his kennel had taken out the State’s most prestigious award.

“Each time you receive this award it is special, because the journey with each dog that has won is different and special,” he said.

In total, Racing Queensland announced more than 20 award winners at the gala presentation ceremony at the Greek Club in Brisbane.

Orchestrate solidified his standing as one of Queensland’s leading chasers, notching up 10 victories from just 20 starts in his 2022 campaign.

His season was headlined by a breath-taking victory in the Group 1 Brisbane Cup, delivering Brett a fifth win in the showpiece event.

Orchestrate also recorded seven placings, including a second in the Group 3 Origin Greyhound Series Sprint and a nail-biting runner-up performance in the Group 3 Super Sprinters Final.

In being crowned Greyhound of the Year, Orchestrate defeated fellow finalists Days Of Thunder and Shipwreck, both of whom chalked up remarkably consistent 2022 seasons.

A highlight of the night for the Chase News team, was being named the recipient of the Top Simbi Award, which is given annually to a person or entity that is a positive influence for the sport of greyhound racing.

Days Of Thunder did not go home empty-handed, claiming the Brisbane Greyhound of the Year Award for her season of 10 wins and nine placings from 26 starts at Albion Park.

The Outstanding Contribution Award, which was introduced in 2019 to recognise the tireless efforts of volunteers within the industry, was bestowed upon Lee Pearce, who has dedicated her service to the Townsville Greyhound Club for more than six years in a range of roles.

Trainer Joshua Priest was awarded the Young Achiever Award for a season that amassed six wins and 14 placings from 37 starts for the 21-year-old, including a win in the Group Listed Winged Runner Trophy.

Finally, industry stalwart Cyndie Elson was presented with the Woman in Racing Award for her contribution to racing in Queensland, complementing her fourth straight Brisbane Trainer of the Year Award.

The evening also saw two Hall of Fame inductees, with legendary multiple Group 1-winning trainer Paul Cauchi, along with former Greyhound of the Year Queen Lauryn, the latest to be honoured.

2022 Queensland Greyhound Award Winners:

Queensland Greyhound of the Year – Orchestrate

Darryl & Maree Heck Brisbane Trainers Strike Rate Award – Denise Robinson

Brisbane Sire of the Year – Fernando Bale

Brisbane Leading Owner Award – Cyndie Elson

Brisbane Dam of the Year – Hope’s Magic

Top Simbi Award – Chase News

Young Achiever – Joshua Priest

Woman in Racing – Cyndie Elson

Outstanding Contribution Award – Lee Pearce

Run of the Year – Gypsy Del

Hall of Fame (Person) – Paul Cauchi