Williams' Darwin Cup Bid Seven Years In Making

WA mentor Shayne Williams has been to the Darwin Cup carnival for the past seven years but this is the first year he has decided to have runners.

“I was a bit lucky actually,” said Shayne.

“Tom Tzouvelis from Queensland always goes up for the carnival and he always stays with Brian Kellaher. But, Tom decided not to go this year and that left Brian with some air-conditioned kennels spare.

“That gave me the opportunity to send some dogs to Brian for the carnival.”

Two of those, Nangar Chief and Rippin' Thomhawk, will now run in Sunday's Group 3 Darwin Cup Final (537m).

Nangar Chief (Feral Franky-Little Nagar) ran the quickest of the Cup heats with a 31.02 run.

Rippin' Thomhawk chased home Omar Monelli in 31.48.

The other heats of the Cup went to Pebble's Girl in 31.45 and Misdemeanor in 31.18.

NANGAR CHIEF for trainer Shayne Williams takes out the final heat, well done. Join us next Saturday night trackside for the final. pic.twitter.com/SZO8gNvsMI

— Greyhounds WA (@greyhounds_wa) June 17, 2023

Nangar Chief was bought by Shayne four months ago from Dennis Barnes in NSW and he has been better than handy being placed in the G3 Paradise Street Trophy and the Listed Winter Cup.

“Their performances were much improved from their first runs on the track,” said Shayne. “I'm glad I sent them early to get used to the track and the humidity.

“Nangar Chief is very strong.

“That's why I sent him there because you need a very strong dog for the Darwin Cup.

“I hope he does not draw outside Eagle Monelli who takes a step right out of the boxes.”

The final box draw will be conducted on Tuesday night and Shayne will fly to Darwin on Wednesday.

Kennelmate, Rippin' Tomahawk (Aston Dee Bee-Juniper Twedo), has been a great dog for the Williams kennel.

“I trained his mother and she was really something but broke down after a couple of starts,” he said.

“When she had the Aston Dee Bee litter, I bought two for myself and two for clients.

“They have all been great. This bloke has won $130,000 for us.”

Of Rippin' Tomahawk's chances, Shayne believes he will be best served from an inside box.

“He's got good speed,” he said.

Local trainer Steele Bolton will have two finalists, Misdemeanor (a finalist in 2022) and Omar Monelli.

Now Brisbane-based and former Darwin trainer Jamie Hoskings has Pebble's Girl and Eagle Monelli in the decider.