Young guns to fire in St Leger

My Redeemer is one of the drawcards for Warragul's St Leger final on Sunday. Picture: COURTESY OF CLINT ANDERSON

Warragul will host one of the biggest nights in greyhound racing anywhere in provincial Victoria on Sunday night with the club opening its doors to the people of Gippsland to come along and enjoy the festivities.

The Group 3 St Leger final highlights the action on the track – including the appearance of New South Wales sensation Pindari Express – while one of the sports most iconic characters, former Warragul Greyhound Racing Club president Garry Allen, will be recognised for his outstanding contribution to the club over an extended period of time.

“It’s a free entry night with a $25, two-course Sunday roast and kids eat free, so anyone looking for a great meal and a fun Sunday night I’d suggest that the Warragul Greyhound Racing Club is the place to be,” said Warragul GRC manager Adrian Scott.

Four exciting heats of the St Leger were conducted over the 460-metre distance on Tuesday, with several of Australia’s best young greyhounds making it into the $25,000 to-the-winner final.

An age-restricted event open only to greyhounds born on or after 1 April 2016, the St Leger gives young greyhounds the chance to compete for lucrative prizemoney against contenders of similar age. Just some of the star greyhounds to make it through to Sunday’s final include Group 1 winner My Redeemer, recent Bendigo Cup runner-up Black Forge, and Nervous An Weird – a greyhound that won his first seven races.

Recent St Leger winners include million-dollar greyhound Fanta Bale (2016) and Horsham Cup winner Jimmy Newob (2017), demonstrating that the series is a wonderful platform for young greyhounds. The St Leger is carrying Group 3 status for the first time in 2018, with Sunday’s final to be supported by another feature event – the Presidents Cup over 680 metres. Sunday’s twilight racing action will begin from 5pm.