Tasracing

A coveted trophy, a rug, and cheque for $12,050 await the winner of this year’s Shane Yates Memorial (461m), to be decided at the Devonport @ Hobart meeting on 26 July.

Over the past 21 years the Tasbred event for greyhounds in Grades 3,4 and 5 has held different names.

It started out as the Minister’s Gift, then changed to the Winter Tasbred Cup before being renamed to honour the late Shane Yates.

The late Shane Yates as part of his role with the Devonport Football Club.

Wynburn Lethal claimed the first edition in 2020 with Twisted Reality the victor last year.

This year’s heats will be run on Tuesday 19 July with the final on Tuesday 26 July.

It’s three years since Yates, the iconic racing broadcaster, succumbed to pancreatic cancer, leaving behind a legion of friends and colleagues who held him in the highest regard.

Peter Hayes, Greyhound Racing Operations Officer for Tasracing across all three tracks, is very much looking forward to the race named in honour of his great mate.

“It is a great way to remember a great mate, and I was thrilled when all three clubs supported its introduction and it is now the fifth biggest prize money race in Tassie,” said Hayes.

“Shane was one of a kind, passionate to the core in everything he did, from race calling to media and footy administrator. And he was a fabulous father to his two daughters Montanna and Layla.”

Hayes spoke about his earliest memories of coming into racing when he first met Shane Yates.

“I started as the Hobart GRC secretary in January 1998 and Shane was the caller way back then, so every Thursday night we would have a chat about life, greyhounds, sport and betting,” he said.

“He could call a race and make the hair stand up on the back of your neck with his exciting finishes.

“It was a true gift he developed throughout his career in all three codes.

“Shane would always love to think up ways of beating the bookies and arbitrage options were discussed. Yatesy, as he was known, was proudly North-West Tassie oriented.”

Hayes said when Shane was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer he was tough right to the end.

“Shane always gave it 100 per cent and in his dark days when cancer consumed him, he was always up for a coffee even though he had to have a weak tea with no sugar. His shout, of course!

“Just a true character of Tassie racing, a great mate and father struck down in his prime.”

Re-live the 2021 Shane Yates Memorial Final staged in Hobart won by Twisted Reality (3).