Racing Queensland has today announced the three finalists in the running for the 2022 TAB Greyhound of the Year.
Returning to its roots at The Gabba on April 1, Extra Malt, Maggie Moo Moo and Spotted Elk will be in contention for the major award at the Queensland greyhound industry’s night of nights, after a voting panel of nine judges narrowed the field to just three finalists.
Racing Minister Grace Grace said this year’s finalists highlights the quality and promise in the Queensland chasing ranks.
“All three finalists have represented Queensland with distinction both locally and on the national stage throughout the 2021 season,” Minister Grace said.
“I would like to congratulate the three finalists and their connections on this nomination, and wish them all the best on the night.
“This year’s awards hold a special significance being hosted at The Gabba - the original home of the Brisbane Greyhound Racing Club - in what is the club’s 50-year anniversary.
“We look forward to another stellar night celebrating the outstanding achievements from the last 12 months.”
Extra Malt, bred, owned and trained by Leanne and Graham Hall, announced herself as one of Queensland’s most promising greyhounds in 2021, notching up 22 wins and 10 placings from just 45 starts – including a maiden feature win in the Group 3 Ipswich Auction Series.
Known for her scintillating run-on style, Extra Malt’s dominant form earned representative honours in the maroon for the TAB Origin Greyhound Series, running a nail-biting second to NSW superstar Jungle Deuce.
Leanne and Graham Hall are well represented in this year’s nominations, with Extra Malt’s littermate Spotted Elk also in the running for the top gong.
A winner of 16 races in 2021, the ultra-consistent bitch finished the year in scintillating form, claiming the inaugural Listed Queensland Flame, and earning a spot in the coveted $1.145 million TAB The Phoenix at The Meadows in the process.
Considered a relative outsider in a field of the nation’s premier chasers, the fighting Queensland spirit came to the fore, leading the pack for the majority of the race before being overrun late to finish a spectacular second and a $100,000 pay check.
Maggie Moo Moo rounds out the nominations for 2022 TAB Queensland Greyhound of the Year, in a season that saw her perform consistently on the national stage, running fourth in two inter-state Group 1 features – the Association Cup and Sandown Cup.
Closer to home, a triumph in the Group 3 Super Stayers Invitational and runner-up in the Group 1 Queensland Cup rounded out season 2021, that saw the bitch miss a placing on just six occasions from 30 starts.
A hock injury in September forced the unfortunate early retirement of Darren Johnston’s star chaser, who he named after his late mother Margaret.
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;
- Woman in Racing;
- Run of the Year;
- RQ Outstanding Contribution Award;
- QRIC Welfare Award;
- Hall of Fame inductees; and
- Club Award winners (leading trainer and leading greyhound).
Click here for further information on the 2021 TAB Queensland Greyhound Awards.