Top trainers announced for final race

MEDIA RELEASE
9 May 2005

Top trainers announced for final race

Greyhound Racing New Zealand announced today the final field of greyhounds to compete for the Duke of Edinburgh Silver Collar, one of the most prestigious events of the greyhound racing year, on Thursday at Manukau Stadium in Auckland.

The qualifying dogs and their trainers will travel from around New Zealand to compete. The final field is: Prince Toshack, Denis Schofield, Huntly; Choppers Hand, Ray Adcock, Canterbury; Blue Fern, Gary Cleeve, Canterbury; Red Fox Creek, Graeme and Shirly Hayden-Holmes, Levin; Shining Comet, Wayne Steel, Te Awamutu; Superstitious, Jean and Dave Fayhey, Canterbury; Rivette Reason, Ben and Lisa Craik, Drury; and Light Pockets, Gary Cleeve, Canterbury. The two reserve dogs for the race are: Sly Park, Craig Roberts, Canterbury and Bonnie Creek, Graeme and Shirly Hayden-Holmes, Levin.

The Silver Collar race was introduced in 1971 by Major John Blakeley, who trained Prince Philip’s greyhound, Royal Commission, to win the event in 1972. Greyhound Racing New Zealand (GRNZ) has continued to support the event over the last 34 years and prize stakes now top $45,000 - one of the industry’s highest paying races.

The winner of the race also gets the opportunity to wear the actual Duke of Edinburgh Silver Collar - an engraved silver dog collar, funded by the Royal Family, and designed and crafted by the Royal Jeweller in 1971.

GRNZ’s chief executive, Lance Bickford said many of the trainers cherish the Duke of Edinburgh Silver Collar as the ultimate race to win. All trainers and owners look forward to this particular event and it’s always a well attended and fun evening.

“I wish the trainers and dogs, who have made it through to the final, the best of luck and I look forward to being part of the action of the final race. It’s definitely a talented field and will be a close race for the finish.”

The Duke of Edinburgh Silver Collar will be held at the Auckland Greyhound Racing Club, Manukau Stadium, Te Irirangi Drive, Manukau on Thursday 12 May 2005 starting at 6:00pm.

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