The Hobart Greyhound Racing Club (HGRC) is set to shine among the rest of the top clubs in the nation on Thursday night as states across Australia will take part in a Nationals telecast in a big night for greyhound racing.
Globally the world still faces a tough challenge coming to terms with the fallout of COVID-19. Sadly, the Group 1 National Championships will not take place at Wentworth Park in New South Wales this year, being one of the events cancelled in the wake of the world-wide pandemic.
Racing bodies however have banded together to run their state finals to continue the significance of the nationals.
Tasmania has been a part of the Nationals concept as far back as 1965. The first Tasmanian Sprint Championship feature was run twice, first taken out by Triple Speed at the T.C.A. over 540 yards. It was Viv Beresford’s champion Baron the Great who claimed the White City 548-yard event.
There have been 61 greyhounds that have gone on to represent Tasmania in this prestigious event, though the legendary chaser Busy Vintage has been Tasmania’s only runner to have claimed nationals’ glory.
The presentation of the 1984 Sprint Final to Busy Vintage.
Busy Vintage, also known as Collis, was prepared throughout his illustrious 46-start career by Hall of Fame trainer David Crosswell. The son of Highland Summer, another champion chaser and Tasmanian Hall of Famer, won 26 races and with stake earnings just shy of $45,000.
In August 1984, the state series of the National Sprint Championship was completed in a three-part series, Collis had won the White City heat, defeating Bobbie Brie in 30.14. A fortnight later, he blitzed Dream Zone by 10 and a half lengths in the Hobart Heat running a sizzling 28.40 seconds.
Busy Vintage was a red-hot favourite in the State Final on 9 September, also at the Showgrounds in Hobart. The result was never in doubt, as he defeated Small Reel by three lengths in 28.55.
Collis headed to the famous Harold Park U-turn grass track in Sydney for the National Sprint Championship, a final that no Tasmanian-trained greyhound had ever been placed in.
He started third favourite at 6/1, a huge sign of respect for his reputation and ability. When the lids opened Busy Vintage chose the right race to begin as well as he had ever done. In no time at all he speared to the lead and at no stage did he ever look like being run down.
A brave Eaglehawk Star overcame strife to grab second but was three lengths behind the Tassie champ. At the glittering ceremony, the connections were presented with the cheque for $27,500, while Busy Vintage went on to an honour board that still only carries one Tasmanian name.
The winners cheque of $27,500.
The HGRC have conducted the Tasmanian Sprint Championship on 25 occasions but Thursday will be the first time in nine years since the race was last held in Hobart, when Rob Pines was triumphant for trainer Ted Medhurst, beating the likes of New Recruit and Bergermeister over 461-metres.
Ladbrokes Park Elwick plays host to the Tasmanian Sprint Championship this Thursday on what is a showcase night of greyhound racing that will be broadcast Australia-wide as well as in New Zealand.
Duncan Dornauf will be hosting TasracingTV coverage alongside greyhound racing insider Brennan Ryan from trackside, with the first race scheduled for 19:25.