Oh Mickey Sets Time Standard for Brisbane Cup By Adam Dobbin Greyhound Recorder Website LOCAL superstar Oh Mickey has set the time-standard for next Thursday night’s Group 1 Sky Racing Brisbane Cup (520m) with a rampaging 29.45 heat victory at Albion Park on Thursday night.
But snapping at the son of Fernando Bale’s heels on the clock is Australia’s premier sprinters meaning next week’s group 1 decider is absolute must watch viewing.
It’ll be the race of the year. When you consider the line-up it just has to be.
Black Opium, Oh Mickey, Hooked On Scotch, Simon Told Helen and Who Told Stevie … grab your popcorn!
Before Oh Mickey’s tantalizing four length heat victory for trainer Selena Zammit over a gallant Who Told Stevie in the final heat, Black Opium held time honours following her stunning 29.52 winning performance.
The undisputed Queen of Australian greyhound racing had looked all set to qualify fastest for back-to-back Brisbane Cups after running 29.62 last year before finishing a gallant second to Sennachie in the final.
But now a group 1 winner, annexing May’s Sapphire Crown at Sandown, the Jason Thompson-trained daughter of Black Magic Opal goes into next Thursday’s finale with undeniable claims.
And she’ll be joined in the group 1 decider by kennelmate Hooked On Scotch after the two-time group 1 winning son of Barcia Bale recorded 29.55 to defeat Federal Morgan in his qualifier.
Getting into top gear late, the freakish talent booked his spot with a seemingly effortless display, the performance a clear demonstration of the firepower the Sandown track record holder has at his disposal.
The upset of the night came about when Simon Told Helen was gunned down on the line by local talent Special Cyndie.
But the three-time group 1 winner’s brave second safely secures his spot in next Thursday’s finale where he’ll be joined by brother Who Told Stevie, a tremendous second to Oh Mickey at his Albion Park debut.
Simon Told Helen has drawn box eight in the final, a draw he’s no stranger to, landing last year’s Queensland Derby when wearing the pink.
Buckle in for an epic race – it has all the ingredients to be a blockbuster.
The heats of the Group 1 Queensland Cup were also held last night the race renamed this year when formerly known as the Albion Park Gold Cup Queensland’s a feature distance event held each year in June. With the changes to so much of the racing scene this year the club decided to run this feature in conjunction with the Brisbane Cup.
In the first heat Classy Ethics found the front early and led all the way for a smart win in 41.85. The Jeff Crawford trained brindle bitch gave nothing else a chance winning by two and a half lengths from talented Victoria and race favourite ($1.75) Blazing Cartier who chased hard for the entire journey. Third was Mac Roamin’ and top-class performer Infrared Lad who made his way into the final for the second year in succession.
The win was Classy ethics second Albion Park success in four starts and she takes her place in her first Group 1 after only five starts over the 710 distance.
The second heat was won by local star Velocity Bettina beginning mid field she raced into third at the first turn, taking the lead out of the home straight she was never headed in a powerful win. She racing away at the finish to record 41.72 winning by three and a half lengths from fast finishing equal favourite Rasheda both started $2.90. Velocity Bettina has been in super form of late the win was her third on the trot over the 710 metre trip including victory in the Group 3 Winter Chase when she proved too good for Classy Ethics who she again will do battle with in next week’s final. It will be the Kevin Ellis trained brindle bitch’s fifth group race final and her second at Group 1 level. Velocity Bettina finished fourth in the Group 1 Rookie Rebel Invitation in February behind Perfect Marshall, she has been installed the $1.75 short priced favourite with race sponsor TAB fixed odds.
GROUP ONE – SKY RACING BRISBANE CUP $85,000 to the winner Box Draw and TAB Fixed Price Market for the Sky Racing Brisbane Cup 520 $85,000 to the winner Group 1 Sky Racing Brisbane Cup Final 520m Box Greyhound
Local expert’s selections for the final are as follows. Gerard Daffy John Brasch Luke Gatehouse 1st Black Opium 1st Simon Told Helen Patty 1st Simon Told Helen 2nd Simon Told Helen Helenipping Bailey 2nd Oh Mickey 2nd Black Opium 3rd Who Told Stevie 3rd Black Opium 3rd Special Cyndie
Local Queensland expert’s selections for the final are as follows.
Luke Gatehouse Gerard Daffy John Brasch 1st Velocity Bettina 1st Velocity Bettina 1st Velocity Bettina 2nd Blazing Cartier 2nd Blazing Cartier 2nd Blazing Cartier 3rd Classy Ethics 3rd Rasheda 3rd Rasheda
The Brisbane Cup has had a few name changes when it was first run in 1972 and won by Victorian Garron Court the race was known as the Gabba Sprint Championship. It remained that name until 1976. It was then called the Brisbane Cup from 1977 until 1981 changed in 1982 to be known as the Coca-Cola Cup until 1999 when it changed back to the Brisbane Cup. The race was conducted at the Gabba until the track closed in 1992 and since has been staged at Albion Park. Listed below is the Honour Roll containing some of the champion greyhounds among the past winners.
YEAR WINNER TIME YEAR WINNER TIME GROUP 1972 GARRON COURT (VIC) 33.67 1999 BOB’S ONE (NSW) 30.02 GROUP 1 1973 TOP SIMBI 32.85 2000 KANTARN BALE (VIC) 30.05 GROUP 1 1974 MISTER OOLLEE 32.90 2001 TRICKY CREEK 29.97 GROUP 1 1975 ALPHA BRAVA (NSW) 32.70 2002 TRICKY CREEK 30.15 GROUP 1 1976 CLOVER DUKE (NSW) 32.74 2003 BOGIE LEIGH 29.85 GROUP 1 1977 REBEL ATTACK 32.61 2004 MALFOY 30.16 GROUP 1 1978 YOUNG BREEZE (NSW) 33.31 2005 POROROCA 29.66 GROUP 1 1979 ACCLAIM STAR (NSW) 32.73 2006 PURE BURST 30.10 GROUP 1 1980 GENERAL JEFF (NSW) 32.72 2007 UNO JOEL 30.19 GROUP 1 1981 PICTURE THIS (VIC) 32.95 2008 EL GALO 29.84 GROUP 1 1982 PETER GLIDER (NSW) 32.89 2009 MR METZ 30.11 GROUP 1 1983 ACACIA PARK (NSW) 32.58 2010 HE KNOWS UNO (NSW) 30.00 GROUP 1 1984 NATIONAL LASS (NSW) 32.60 2011 GLEN GALLON 30.10 GROUP 1 1985 SUPER MAX (VIC) 32.74 2012 GOT A MOMENT 29.85 GROUP 1 1986 PRETTY FEARLESS 32.69 2013 KISS ME KUTUT (VIC) 29.82 GROUP 1 1987 WHIP TIP (NSW) 32.64 2014 KEYBOW (VIC) 29.98 GROUP 1 1988 DANCING GAMBLE 32.57 2015 DYNA DOUBLE ONE (VIC) 29.71 GROUP 1 1989 GOLDEN FOX (NSW) 32.63 2016 THIRTY TALKS 29.57 GROUP 1 1990 WHISKY BALE (NSW) 32.99 2017 FAST TIMES 29.77 GROUP 1 1991 NO IT'S NOT (Gr 1) 32.32 2018 HASTEN SLOWLY (VIC) 29.67 GROUP 1 1992 WHITE COONOWRIN (Gr 1) 32.83 2019 SENNACHIE (VIC) 29.38 GROUP 1 1993 STAR TITLE (NSW) (Gr 1) 30.34 1994 TOSS THE TEDDY (Gr 1) 30.50 1995 FLYNG AMY (Gr 1) 29.89 1996 SILVER PAGEANT (Gr 1) 30.46 1997 BARRIO BABE (Gr 1) 30.24 1998 QUESTIONS (NSW) (Gr 1) 30.21
Race held at GABBA 558 metres 1972-1992. Held at Albion Park 1993 to Present 520 metres **** Sponsored and Called Coca-Cola Cup 1982-1999 - Brisbane Cup 1977-1981 & 2000 to Present.
The History of the Gold Cup
The Gold Cup was first run at Gabba in 1974 and was known as the Gabba Gold Cup until 1980 when sponsored by SGIO for a year and by Woolworths of another year. It went back to the Gabba Gold Cup until 1988 when the race became the FAI Gold Cup for four years. It changed to the Albion Park Gold Cup when racing transferred there in 1993 and was sponsored by VIP Petfoods from 2002 to 2007, then by the Cartwright Property Group 2008-09-10. While in 2012-13 and 14 the race was sponsored by Macro Meats.
The Gold Cup has been won by some champion stayers over the year’s Dotie Wilson the only dog to win it twice in 75 and 76. Mandarin Girl 77, Picture This 82, National Star 85, Trojan Tears 94, Miss Cruise 95, Boronia Blossom 96, Totally Ablaze 98, Questions 99, Total Denial 2002, 2006 Miss Brook, 2007 Miss Grub, 2008 Chinatown Lad, 2009 Queen Lauryn, 2010 Nellie Noodles, 2011 Bobby Boucheau, 2012 He Knows Uno, 2013 Destini Fireball, 2014 superstar Xylia Allen. While two of the very best won 2017/18 Fanta Bale and Tornado Tears.
The Brisbane Cup has had a few name changes when it was first run in 1972 and won by Victorian Garron Court the race was known as the Gabba Sprint Championship. It remained that name until 1976. It was then called the Brisbane Cup from 1977 until 1981 changed in 1982 to be known as the Coca-Cola Cup until 1999 when it changed back to the Brisbane Cup. The race was conducted at the Gabba until the track closed in 1992 and since has been staged at Albion Park. Listed below is the Honour Roll containing some of the champion greyhounds among the past winners.
The History of the Gold Cup
The Gold Cup was first run at Gabba in 1974 and was known as the Gabba Gold Cup until 1980 when sponsored by SGIO for a year and by Woolworths of another year. It went back to the Gabba Gold Cup until 1988 when the race became the FAI Gold Cup for four years. It changed to the Albion Park Gold Cup when racing transferred there in 1993 and was sponsored by VIP Petfoods from 2002 to 2007, then by the Cartwright Property Group 2008-09-10. While in 2012-13 and 14 the race was sponsored by Macro Meats.
The Gold Cup has been won by some champion stayers over the year’s Dotie Wilson the only dog to win it twice in 75 and 76. Mandarin Girl 77, Picture This 82, National Star 85, Trojan Tears 94, Miss Cruise 95, Boronia Blossom 96, Totally Ablaze 98, Questions 99, Total Denial 2002, 2006 Miss Brook, 2007 Miss Grub, 2008 Chinatown Lad, 2009 Queen Lauryn, 2010 Nellie Noodles, 2011 Bobby Boucheau, 2012 He Knows Uno, 2013 Destini Fireball, 2014 superstar Xylia Allen. While two of the very best won 2017/18 Fanta Bale and Tornado Tears.
The History of the Gold Cup
The Gold Cup was first run at Gabba in 1974 and was known as the Gabba Gold Cup until 1980 when sponsored by SGIO for a year and by Woolworths of another year. It went back to the Gabba Gold Cup until 1988 when the race became the FAI Gold Cup for four years. It changed to the Albion Park Gold Cup when racing transferred there in 1993 and was sponsored by VIP Petfoods from 2002 to 2007, then by the Cartwright Property Group 2008-09-10. While in 2012-13 and 14 the race was sponsored by Macro Meats.
The Gold Cup has been won by some champion stayers over the year’s Dotie Wilson the only dog to win it twice in 75 and 76. Mandarin Girl 77, Picture This 82, National Star 85, Trojan Tears 94, Miss Cruise 95, Boronia Blossom 96, Totally Ablaze 98, Questions 99, Total Denial 2002, 2006 Miss Brook, 2007 Miss Grub, 2008 Chinatown Lad, 2009 Queen Lauryn, 2010 Nellie Noodles, 2011 Bobby Boucheau, 2012 He Knows Uno, 2013 Destini Fireball, 2014 superstar Xylia Allen. While two of the very best won 2017/18 Fanta Bale and Tornado Tears.
The History of the Gold Cup
The Gold Cup was first run at Gabba in 1974 and was known as the Gabba Gold Cup until 1980 when sponsored by SGIO for a year and by Woolworths of another year. It went back to the Gabba Gold Cup until 1988 when the race became the FAI Gold Cup for four years. It changed to the Albion Park Gold Cup when racing transferred there in 1993 and was sponsored by VIP Petfoods from 2002 to 2007, then by the Cartwright Property Group 2008-09-10. While in 2012-13 and 14 the race was sponsored by Macro Meats.
The Gold Cup has been won by some champion stayers over the year’s Dotie Wilson the only dog to win it twice in 75 and 76. Mandarin Girl 77, Picture This 82, National Star 85, Trojan Tears 94, Miss Cruise 95, Boronia Blossom 96, Totally Ablaze 98, Questions 99, Total Denial 2002, 2006 Miss Brook, 2007 Miss Grub, 2008 Chinatown Lad, 2009 Queen Lauryn, 2010 Nellie Noodles, 2011 Bobby Boucheau, 2012 He Knows Uno, 2013 Destini Fireball, 2014 superstar Xylia Allen. While two of the very best won 2017/18 Fanta Bale and Tornado Tears.