Zipping Neutron, who ran a track record 42.73 seconds over 732 metres at Tara Raceway in July last year, was announced the SA 2023 TAB Greyhound of the Year (GOTY) last Saturday night at a cocktail function at Angle Park.
Trained at Munno Para by Tim Aloisi, Zipping Neutron, a son of SH Avatar and Zipping Abby, is only the third stayer in 30 years to have won the award.
Speaking at the presentation, Aloisi said it was 10 years ago that he was in a really dark place.
“I’d suffered a significant workplace accident and if it had not been for greyhound racing I do not really know where I would have finished up,” he said.
“Mixing work with the training of a few greyhounds makes for a pretty busy life and if it was not for my family and friends helping out I certainly would not have been able to achieve what I have.”
Aloisi said often he would look for a greyhound that might have ability but had a few hang-ups when it came to its racing pattern.
“But while all my dogs are treated differently, they all come under the banner of being treated as pets. And it’s always fun and I’m always learning.”
The Aloisi-trained Ravers Army was also a GOTY finalist, along with Could Be King (Ben Rawlings), Dash Of Blue (Richard Pearce) and Where’s Poppy (Kirin Corby).
Other awards on the night included SA City Strike Rate, Tim Aloisi; Gawler Track Star, Go Go Snow (Michael Stewart); SA Syndicate of the Year, My Four Girls Syndicate; SA Owner-Trainer of the Year, Gavin Harris.
Also recognised on the night were SA Brood Bitch of the Year, Springvale Bryne; SA Breeder of the Year, Gavin Harris; SA Stud Dog of the Year, Worm Burner; SA Run of the Year, Lena Jinx; Sennachie Award of Excellence, Alfie Moon; SA Short Course Greyhound of the Year, Cash On Delivery.
And SA Sprinting Greyhound of the Year, Where’s Poppy; SA Distance Greyhound of the Year, Zipping Neutron; SA Bred Greyhound of the Year, Where’s Poppy/Dash Of Blue. Time honours to reserve runner With time-graded meetings at Tara Raceway graded “worst to best” it’s a case of the reserve runners – in theory at least – being the best dogs in the race.
And that was the case at last Thursday’s meeting in the Klaassens Contractors TG1-4W Stake (512 m) when reserve runner Lamia Fawn gained a start from box seven.
Trained at Mount Cottrell by Paul Cusack, the daughter of US sire Superior Panama out of three-race winner Ice Gambler went straight to the front before running away to a 6½ length win over Saint Madix in 29.76 seconds.
The win was the second leg of a double for Cusack after Quantum Master took the time honours in the Exchange Printers Stake, the first of two heats of the monthly Fast Forward TG1-4W (400m).
By Spring Bridge out of Spring Bella, the brindle dog was always on the pace from box six, taking up the running off the back and scoring a three length win over Flying Madeline in a time of 23.63 seconds.
The training double – his fourth this year – continued Cusack’s good run at Tara Raceway, bringing up his 19th win.
In the second heat of the Fast Forward – the Produce Store Stake – Big Deb Osti led all the way from box four and held out Princess Cordite for a half-length win in 23.77 seconds.
Owned and trained at Berringa by Michael Niele, the black daughter of Bernardo and Eureka Osti was the second leg of a treble for the long-time trainer who earlier had won with Majestic Max in the Icon Signs Maiden Stake in 18.18 seconds.
Later, Rocket Susie was Niele’s third winner when virtually leading all the way from box one in the Greg Martlew Autos TG1-4W Stake (400 m) and holding out Highway for a 1¼ length win in 23.17 seconds.
