In the world of short-course greyhound racing, the spotlight this week will be firmly fixed on the New South Wales’ poster boy, Vamoose, who is yet to secure a position in the semi-finals of The Thunderbolt.
Vamoose, who was the early favourite with greyhound betting sites to win the race that boasts a first prize of $75,000 to-the-winner, experienced an unexpected setback at Gosford last Tuesday in a roughly run race.
In a messy race at Gosford, half the field including the odds-on -222.22 favourite, Vamoose, were disadvantaged in running leaving just two dogs to fight out the finish.
The result being that Vamoose has just one chance left to qualify for the $200,000 The Thunderbolt race series, and that will be through the last of The Thunderbolt heats at Grafton on Sunday.
His owner-trainer, Sue Smith, based in Branxton, was prompted to pivot to the backup plan in order to keep her aspirations for The Thunderbolt alive.
“Luckily he can still go to the heats at Grafton this Sunday but we’ll need to work on him the next few days as he’s got a few sore spots that need attention here and there,” Smith shared.
The task of qualifying has been made all the more easy by Vamoose drawing box one the third of four Grafton Thunderbolt heats.
Prior to the Gosford run, Vamoose had won four of his last five starts, all at Grafton over 350m.
It was earlier in March that Smith identified The Thunderbolt as a golden opportunity for Vamoose, a greyhound celebrated for his starting speed.
In preparation, she had him compete at Grafton for a month, which saw him improving with each race.
Grafton Free For All June 21 2023 (350m) – Vamoose (19.91) T: Sue Smith
Now, Smith and her partner, John Miles, are focusing their energies on getting back on track and hopefully making it to the semi-finals.
The Thunderbolt series, with over $200,000 prizemoney, has already witnessed heats at Wagga, Bulli, Gosford, and Taree.
The Thunderbolt heats continue on Friday at Goulburn and Richmond, with qualifiers over the weekend at Dubbo on Saturday, and the final four heats at Grafton on Sunday.
2023 The Thunderbolt Heats Race Series
The 32 Thunderbolt semi-finalists will converge on Grafton over 350m on June 18 for four semi-finals, with first and second progressing to the $75,000 to-the-winner final on June 24.
2023 The Thunderbolt Semi Finalists
Wagga Heats
- Talakai – T: Wayne Wilmott
- Loretta Bale – T: Ike McCorkindale
- Seely’s Queen – T: Rob Tyler
- Preston Lee – T: Rob Tyler
Gosford Heats
- Clock Off – T: Robert Howard
- Pennies Forever – T: Robert Howard
- Yeager Bullet – T: Leslie Chaytor
- Aston Roja – T: Brian Hampton
Bulli Heats
Taree Heats
- Brandy Brockie – T: Mark Davidson
- Coughlin – T: David Sanderson
- Take Me Out – T: Terry Duncan
- Slingshot Cooper – T: Stuart Barron
Taree Heats
- Brandy Brockie – T: Mark Davidson
- Coughlin – T: David Sanderson
- Take Me Out – T: Terry Duncan
- Slingshot Cooper – T: Stuart Barron
Goulburn Thunderbolt Heats
- To be decided
- To be decided
- To be decided
- To be decided
Richmond Thunderbolt Heats
- To be decided
- To be decided
- To be decided
- To be decided
Dubbo Thunderbolt Heats
- To be decided
- To be decided
- To be decided
- To be decided
Grafton Thunderbolt Heats
- To be decided
- To be decided
- To be decided
- To be decided
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