As a follow up to WA’s 50 Year Celebration night last Sunday. Simo has sent me some photos of the night and a list of Award winners. No surprises there. Miata Greatest Greyhound and Stayer of the 50 years. Sandi’s Me Mum Greatest Sprinter. Linda Britton Greatest Trainer and the legendary Gary Wilson Greatest Personality. If there had of been a category for Administrator it would have been David Simonette. We also have a photo of the trophy presented to the first race winner David Volo on the opening night of racing at Cannington December 12th 1974. I was also wrapped to see three of my long time WA mates in the photo’s Craig Evans, Peter O’neill and David Shortte.
The magnificent Miata was crowned the best to ever do it in the past half century as Greyhounds WA commemorated its 50th year by recognising the legends of the sport.
The celebration was held at the Cannington Exhibition Centre on Sunday, December 8, where the State’s top 10 best sprinting and staying dogs were unveiled.
After starting at the Cannington racetrack on December 12, 1974, the sport of greyhound racing has grown dramatically in Western Australia.
To celebrate the momentous occasion, Racing and Wagering Western Australia announced the top 10 greatest sprinting and distance greyhounds from the past 50 years – along with crowning a top dog among the greats.
That honour went to top-line trainer Paul Stuart’s Miata, who had a storied career, taking 42 wins from 51 starts. A major career highlight for Miata came in 2012 when the star chaser became the first WA dog to claim the prestigious Australian Greyhound of the Year.
She claimed WA’s top distance runner nod, while the greatest sprinter of the half century went to Gerry O’Keefe’s Sandi’s Me Mum.
The night also recognised the legendary Linda Britton as the leading greyhound trainer and Gary Wilson as the top personality of the past 50 years, with both being the clear favourites in each category.
Event organiser and RWWA board member David Simonette said the night helped recognise champions of the sport.
“It’s about a celebration of 50 years of greyhound racing,” David said.
“It was a good way of honouring those past and present champions. It’s difficult to compare eras, but I think there is no real dispute.
“It’s a good way of celebrating it, documenting it and honouring it … and I think it’s good for those younger and new people to understand a bit about their roots and tradition.”
