Who Will Be Crowned Victoria's Best?

CHOOSING Victoria's 2022 greyhound of the year finalists proved a difficult enough task, without actually coming up with the winner.

A number of superstars were considered by the panel including Aston Rupee, Ferdinand Boy, Jarick Bale, Koblenz, Lala Kiwi, Mepunga Ruby, Untapped and Wow She's Fast.

Narrowing that illustrious list down to just one hardly seems fair for the others who will miss out after such wonderful performances.

Consider their career highlights and it is obvious the task was difficult to say the least.

Aston Rupee

(KC And All-Aston Miley)

Ran the track record at Sandown (28.79), went within a whisker of the record at The Meadows and won the Group 1 Topgun and Group 1 Temlee, he swept into numerous Group finals.

The fastest greyhound in history… in slo-mo.

What a performance by Aston Rupee @sandowndogs this afternoon slashing two lengths off the track record! pic.twitter.com/lLUYBBZcvd

— Mick Floyd (@MickFloyd) September 9, 2021

Ferdinand Boy

(Fernando Bale-Nayla Swift)

The country Cups king he was almost unbeatable on one-turn tracks and also set twice a track record at Shepparton. His list of feature race wins is astounding.

Jarick Bale

(Allen Deed-Houston Bale)

He went everywhere, won everywhere, and has been among the staying stars all his career. Wins in the Group 1 Sale Cup and Group 1 Rookie Rebel stamped him a star. Wherever he went chasing riches, he was at least a finalist.

Koblenz

(Fernando Bale-Up Hill Jill)

Bred to be a superstar on the track and his Group 1 Melbourne Cup win stamped him as just that. A virtual brother to Ferdinand Boy, he also won the Group 2 Cranbourne Cup, Pink Diamond Rookie Sprinter and was third in The Phoenix.

Lala Kiwi

(Aussie Infrared-Lala Shim)

Her Group 1 Australian Cup win was richly deserved after she had made the finals of the Melbourne Cup, the Cranbourne Cup, the Topgun, the Temlee, the Perth Cup … you name it!

Mepunga Ruby

(Fernando Bale-Mepunga Rosie)

Her Group 1 Super Stayers victory was over a host of track stars and well deserved after being placed at Group 1 level four times and being a finalist in three others.

Untapped

(Aston Dee Bee-Mepunga Fame)

To watch her defy the country's best stayers to run her down in the Group 1 Sandown Cup showed what class she has. But, she was also placed in two other Group m1s and a finalist in another.

Wow She's Fast

(My Bro Fabio-Fair Of Face)

She just kept stepping up, time and time again on the big night. Wins in the Group 1 Sapphire Crown, Group 1 Maturity and the inaugural running of The Phoenix were something else. Her 28.81 around Sandown is the best by a female and second best ever.

2022 (Group 3) Launching Pad Final. 515m
1st – Box 7 Wow She's Fast – Jacqueline Greenough
2nd – Box 2 Plantiff – Jason Thompson
3rd – Box 6 Samona – Brendan Pursell (Team Priest)
28.927. 6 3/4 x 1/2 pic.twitter.com/duzQkscotu

— John Brasch (@Bunny_Brasch) April 14, 2022

On Friday night at the Plaza Ballroom in Melbourne, the 2022 Victorian greyhound of the year will be announced.

A host of awards will be presented on the night, most notably the Victorian Greyhound of the Year (GOTY), while up to three new inductees will enter GRV's Hall of Fame.

The Victorian Greyhound of the Year panel – which includes representatives from the media, clubs, GOTBA and GRV – voted on the Greyhound of the Year based on performances which took place from 1 July 2021 to 30 June 2022.

The awards to be presented includes:

Victorian Greyhound of Year

Sprinter of the Year

Stayer of the Year

GRV Hall of Fame

Ken Carr Medal

Ned Bryant ‘Silver Fox' Award

GRV Board Leadership Award

GRV CEO Welfare Award

Metropolitan Trainers Premiership

Provincial Trainers Premiership

Metropolitan Trainers Strike Rate Award

Provincial Trainers Strike Rate Award