Caption: Tim Aloisi is awarded the South Australian Greyhound Of The Year for his exceptional Zipping Neutron.
South Australian News With BRENNAN RYAN
Zipping Neutron has added to his already impressive CV, being recently named South Australia’s Greyhound of the Year.
The exceptional stayer received the 2023 TAB South Australian Greyhound of the Year award, represented by Munno Para West trainer Tim Aloisi and the Aloisi Dimitriadis Syndicate.
Upon receiving the prestigious award at the recent event, Tim expressed his deep fondness for the red fawn runner, who is consistently enhancing an impressive career both locally and across state lines.
“I believe that the dog and I have developed a strong bond,” Aloisi said.
“Each greyhound is distinct. Upon our arrival in South Australia, it was like throwing him into the deep end. But with time, we’ve been able to decipher his behaviour and understand him better.”
During the 2023 racing season, Zipping Neutron, a son sire by Sh Avatar out of Zipping Abby, secured 20 victories from 24 starts, accumulating over $97,264 in prizemoney for his connections.
Zipping Neutron’s notable achievements throughout the year included victories in the Bayroad Queen Stayers Cup and the SA Distance Championship at Angle Park.
The greyhound also placed sixth in the Group 1 National final, won the SA Premiers Cup, and triumphed in the Bothing Stayers Cup at Gawler.
Of all his big race wins that year, Tim rated Zipping Neutron’s SA Premiers Cup as a personal highlight.
“I am someone who is deeply passionate and proud of South Australian racing,” he said.
“I believe our dogs are not rated fairly against the best in other states. However, when competitors from other states visited, we felt a strong sense of local pride in winning.”
Zipping Neutron was also awarded the 2023 TAB SA Distance Greyhound of the Year title, a significant honour for the team involved.
Other award winners:
SA Sprinting Greyhound – Where’s Poppy;
SA Short Course Greyhound – Cash On Delivery;
Sennachie Award of Excellence – Alfie Moon;
Outstanding Service to Industry – David & Ruth Lewis;
SA Owner/Trainer of the Year – Gavin Harris;
SA Breeder of the Year – Gavin Harris;
SA Run of the Year – Lena Jinx;
SA Syndicate of the Year – My Four Girls Syndicate;
Gawler Trackstar Award – Go Go Snow;
SA City Strike Rate – Tim Aloisi;
SA Bred Greyhound of the Year – Where’s Poppy/Dash Of Blue;
SA Stud Dog of the Year – Worm Burner;
SA Broodbitch of the Year – Springvale Bryne.
Yoda Lady Trimuphs in Howard Ashton Final
Yoda Lady delivered trainer Lauren Harris her first victory in the Group 3 Howard Ashton Final (530m) at Angle Park, finishing strongly in the closing stages.
The daughter of Blazin Wildfire and Galactic Athena sustained an unbroken winning streak in the three-week SA bred-only series, clinching the $25,000 top prize while racing for the Bartholomew Bartholomew Syndicate, achieving an impressive sixth straight win and demonstrating outstanding performance.
Beginning the race as the $2.25 favourite from box 2, Yoda Lady was not the fastest off the mark, but displayed impressive mid-race speed and worked her way through from the back half of the field to catch up with the early leader, Zinfandel Evie for Cherylee Barber, and won by one and a half lengths in 30.85 seconds.
“Absolutely thrilled. She performed exceptionally well,” trainer Lauren Harris told GRSA’s Luke Marchioro.
“I must admit, I was initially concerned when she missed the start, but she quickly secured a strong position early in the race and powered through to the finish line. It was indeed an impressive performance.”
Yoda Lady achieved her ninth win in 19 races, bringing her total stakes earnings to $42,470.
“The more Yoda Lady competes at Angle Park, the more she improves her performance,” Harris said.
“She has shown significant strength, able to take the lead or come from behind, as seen here, which is promising for the future.”
Harris attributed the victory to the Bartholomew family as well, who bred and raced the current Group 3 champion.
Caption: Wild Banker and connections after winning the recent Murray Bridge Straight Track Cup Final
Wild Banker Issues Nationals Warning
Wild Banker’s victory in the 2024 Weblec Ace / Mepunga Blazer @ Stud Murray Bridge Straight Track Cup Final (350m) recently has placed him in strong contention for the Group 3 National Straight Track Championship feature in August.
The Need My Moneynow chaser gifted the highly respected Compton-based trainer Tracie Price his first-ever victory in the feature race with a $10,000 prize, when he triumphed over Myall Mate from box 7.
Displaying impressive speed from the wide draw on the straight track, Wild Banker ($3.80) navigated through the packed field and pulled ahead, sustaining a lead over his competitors to clinch a decisive victory with a time of 19.57 seconds, marking his 15th career win in 28 races for Price and owner George Kairouz.
South Australia is set to host the fifth edition of the Group 3 National Straight Championship, with state finals taking place in South Australia, Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria, culminating at Murray Bridge on Saturday August 24 for the final showdown with a grand first prize of $28,000 awaiting the winner.
The SA National Straight Track Championship State Final at Murray Bridge is scheduled to begin with heats on Tuesday, August 6, leading up to a $10,000 winner-takes-all final on Tuesday, August 13.
The victor will represent South Australia in the grand final as part of the 2024 GCA National Championships.
