News
Chasing Topgun Dreams
The trainers of eight greyhounds have had their Topgun ‘dreams’ fulfilled!
The trainers of eight greyhounds have had their Topgun ‘dreams’ fulfilled!
And, for the second year running, the world’s highest earning greyhound – Wow She’s Fast ($2,389,995) – headlines the field for the $233,250 Group 1 Sportsbet Topgun (525m), which was announced on Thursday morning’s episode of Sky Racing’s ‘The Morning Line’.
The Topgun is the main event on opening night of the Sportsbet ‘Dream Chasers Festival’ on November 11 at The Meadows.
This is the second edition of the Dream Chasers, which is the world’s richest greyhound racing festival carrying $4.1 million in prizemoney.
Prepared by “Team Greenough” (Jackie and Kel), Wow She’s Fast was a shock acceptor for the race – first staged in 1993 – as she hasn’t raced since finishing eighth in the G1 Sapphire Crown at Sandown Park on May 18.
However, the Greenoughs decided upon a stunning return for the ‘wonder woman’ following two recent Warragul 460m trials (25.53sec & 25.64sec).
Wow She’s Fast is one of six Victorian-trained greyhounds contesting the invitational sprint event.
“Team Greenough” will launch a two-pronged challenge for the $150,000 first prize with Big Energy joining his illustrious kennelmate. The Greenoughs won the Topgun with Cindeen Shelby in 2009.
Champion Victorian trainer Jason Thompson also has a ‘dynamic duo’ engaged – Alpha Zulu and Transponder. Thompson and his wife, Seona, have three Topgun trophies on their mantelpiece – No Intent (2001), Whisky Assassin (2004) and Poke The Bear (2018).
Launch Code, trained by Brooke Ennis, and Schillaci , prepared by Jihad Talgi, are the other Victorians contesting the ‘best 30 seconds in greyhound racing’.
Meanwhile, WA speedster Elite Machine (Jamie Marsh) and Queensland flying machine Jay Is Jay (Selena Zammit) – make up the field. Only two ‘Sandgropers’ have been victorious in the Topgun – Lindale Blue (2002) and Dyna Nalin (2013) – while only one ‘banana bender’, Black Enforcer (2006), has had the ‘need for speed’.
The reserves are Saige Tenniele (WA) and Nangar Lucy (NSW).
Below is a ‘pre box draw’ snapshot of the 2023 Sportsbet Topgun field (in alphabetical order):
- ALPHA ZULU (VIC): Trainer Jason Thompson. Won 15 from 20. $196,925 prizemoney. Won: G2 Cranbourne Cup, G2 Bendigo Cup. Finalist: G2 Flying Amy Classic, G3 Warragul St Leger (2nd).
- BIG ENERGY (VIC): Trainer Jacqueline Greenough. Won 12 from 25. $141,310 prizemoney. Finalist: G1 Adelaide Cup (2nd), G2 Cranbourne Cup (2nd).
- ELITE MACHINE (WA): Trainer Jamie Marsh. Won 24 from 45. $1,064,339 prizemoney. Won: G1 Perth Cup, G1 Brisbane Cup. Finalist: G2 WA All Stars Sprint.
- JAY IS JAY (QLD): Trainer Selena Zammit. Won 18 from 34. $1,316,250 prizemoney. Won: G2 Queensland Derby, G3 Golden Ticket Match Race. Finalist: G1 Gold Bullion (2nd), G3 Grafton Cup.
- LAUNCH CODE (VIC): Trainer Brooke Ennis. Won 11 from 29. $176,590 prizemoney. Won: G1 Maturity Classic. Finalist: G1 Adelaide Cup, G2 Cranbourne Cup.
- SCHILLACI (VIC): Trainer Jihad Talgi. Won 10 from 15. $61,145 prizemoney. Won: G3 SA Derby. Finalist: G1 Adelaide Cup.
- TRANSPONDER (VIC): Trainer Jason Thompson. Won 20 from 39. $290,275 prizemoney. Won: G1 Adelaide Cup, Listed Pink Diamond Champion Sprinter.
- WOW SHE’S FAST (VIC): Trainer Jacqueline Greenough. Won 20 from 32. $2,389,995 prizemoney. Won: G1 Temlee, G1 Maturity Classic, G1 Sapphire Crown, The Phoenix (2021 & 2022), G3 Shootout, G3 Bill Collins Speed Star, G3 Launching Pad; Finalist: G1 Topgun, G1 Adelaide Cup, G1 Sapphire Crown.
The field for the G1 Sportsbet Topgun Stayers (730m), worth $75,000 to-the-winner, was also announced.
Four Victorians made the cut – Like Wildfire, Moraine Suzie (2022 Topgun Stayers winner), Zoha Bale and Untapped (3rd in last year’s race) – along with NSW staying supremos Palawa King, Ritza Piper and Zipping Vanessa, and Queenslander Valpolicella.
The box draws for the Topguns will be held at The Meadows during Monday night’s traditional thoroughbred Melbourne Cup Eve meeting, which features the heats of the G1 Hume Cup (600m) and the G3 Silver Bullet (525m).
CHASE YOUR DREAM PROMOTION
Be on course at any of the five Dream Chasers nights for your chance to win
a share in $100K in cash and prizes including a Mitsubishi Outlander.
Simply scan the QR code at the Sportsbet tent,
and be on track for the draw.
Events
The Sportsbet Dream Chasers Festival is back!
With over $3.5million in prize money up for grabs, The Meadows and Sandown Park again play host to these blockbuster greyhound events, including the history and prestige of the Group 1 Sportsbet Melbourne Cup, as well as the energy and excitement of the most exhilarating race in greyhound racing, The Phoenix. Be sure to get on course or watch all the action live and exclusive on Racing.com or Sky Racing.
Heading
Location
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Nov
7
Sportsbet Topgun
The Meadows
Start your Sportsbet Dream Chasers Festival experience with an unforgettable night of hospitality at The Meadows. There are a number of exciting ways to be part of this premier night of entertainment, with three massive Group 1 races set to light up the track. This year’s Sportsbet Topgun has something for everyone. Trackside, The Meadows will bring the Dream Chasers Festival to life with an electric atmosphere, crowd participation and plenty of surprises in store. Meanwhile, dining guests can enjoy first-class hospitality, and entertainment throughout the night.
Nov
21
Sportsbet Melbourne Cup Heats
Sandown Park
This is where legends begin. On Saturday 21 November, the Sportsbet Melbourne Cup and Bold Trease heats explode into life at Sandown Park, as Australia’s fastest greyhounds go flat out for a place in the biggest finals of the year. Eight heats. No second chances. Dreams made and broken in under 30 seconds. And the action doesn’t stop at the finish line. Rewind 80s will have the crowd singing outside near Box 9, a DJ keeps the party pumping upstairs, and local community clubs bring the colour and noise as they’re drawn their Community Sweep finalists. Grab a bite from the food trucks, settle in for a buffet with the family, or talk tactics with Australia’s Greatest Greyhound Punter, Troy Little. General admission is free, so round up your mates and be there when the field takes shape.
Nov
28
Sportsbet Melbourne Cup
Sandown Park
The Sportsbet Melbourne Cup is considered the world's greatest greyhound race, boasting an honour roll that's unrivalled. Each November, Sandown Park becomes the stage where legends are made and history is written at lightning speed.
Dec
12
The Phoenix
The Meadows
After five editions, The Phoenix has quickly risen to become the most captivating greyhound race in the country. Offering a total prize pool of $1.65 million and $1 million to the winner, it’s the richest greyhound race in the world and the biggest party in greyhound racing! Be part of the phenomenon in 2026.
Watch all the action live on Racing.com
Download the new Watchdog mobile form guide today
