Racing Queensland has today announced the 2022 Greyhound of the Year finalists.
Staged at the Greek Club in Brisbane on March 31, Days Of Thunder, Orchestrate and Shipwreck will contend for the Queensland greyhound industry’s highest accolade after a voting panel of eight narrowed the field to just three finalists.
Days Of Thunder, trained by Warren Nicholls, was a winner of 11 races from 35 starts in 2022, along with nine placings.
Days Of Thunder enjoyed a winter to remember, storming home late to beat Super Estrella in the Group 3 Origin Greyhound Series Distance Final, helping Queensland seal the series for the first time since its inaugural running in 2018.
Tony Brett’s star chaser, Orchestrate, made a stunning return from an injury-plagued 2021 season, notching 10 wins from just 20 starts – headlined by his dominant victory in the Group 1 Brisbane Cup, delivering his trainer a fifth win in the showpiece event.
Shipwreck rounds out the nominations after announcing himself as one of the state’s most promising chasers by taking home the time-honoured Group 3 Vince Curry Memorial in February.
By July, he was the toast of Queensland after chasing down NSW’s star sprinter, Zipping Kyrgios, in the deciding match-race of the Origin Greyhound Series at Albion Park.
RQ EGM Operations Adam Wallish said the performances of this year’s finalists underlined the quality and promise in Queensland’s chasing ranks.
“Each finalist claimed victory at Group level in 2022, as well as competing in the best races both here and inter-state, and we are proud to see our greyhounds taking it up to some of the best dogs nation-wide,” Mr Wallish said.
“I would like to congratulate the three finalists and their connections for their recognition amongst the state’s top echelon, and wish them all the best on the night.
“The greyhound code continues to come on in leaps and bounds here in Queensland, and this year’s Awards will be a fantastic evening to celebrate the outstanding achievements within the code.”
Other awards to be handed out on the night include:
- Trainers Strike Rate Award;
- Brisbane Sire of the Year;
- Brisbane Leading Owner Award;
- Brisbane Dam of the Year;
- Top Simbi Award;
- The Young Achiever;
- Women in Racing;
- Run of the Year;
- RQ Outstanding Contribution Award;
- Hall of Fame inductees; and
- Club Award winners (leading trainer and leading greyhound).
Click here for further information on the 2022 Queensland Greyhound Awards.