One of the great Country club promotions was The Tony Barber Cup held at Cranbourne from 1983 until 1990. It was conducted for the first time over the 520 metres in April 1983 at Cranbourne when won by track specialist Vibrant Tim for Cranbourne stalwart the late Gordon Strahan. A large crowd was on hand to meet the Gold Logie winning National TV star. Tangle Town won the event in 1984 followed by Silver Jim in 1985. The late Max Johnson owned and trained Silver Jim and the winning trophy has been donated to the Museum by Max’s Granddaughter Robyn Todd. 1986 winner was Tartan Tattoo, and 1987 Blue Christine won the final. In 1988 the race became the Tony Barber Distance Championship and was conducted over the 699 metres. Rumpus Delight beat Disco Gambler in 42.69. 1989 Carmella’s Charm won the final in 42.60 and the final year the race was run 1990 Swift Monarch was the winner. Each year Tony Barber energetically presented the cup before a large crowd in what was a wonderful promotion. He also raced a Chariot Supreme greyhound named Tale Of Century trained by the late Ross Mitchell and bred by Barry Gaze. He won nine races at Cranbourne, Albury, Geelong and Warragul. Barber visited Sandown when the brindle dog raced there. I found the photo of him with Smokey, Plugger and Andrew Gaze.
