What History Says: Sky Racing Perth Cup
16 April, 2018
Greyhound
The Group 1 Sky Racing Galaxy is Western Australia’s premier staying event, and this week’s heats at Cannington are set to start what will be another intriguing series.
The Galaxy moved into the Perth Cup carnival in 2002, and only gained Group status when that move was made.
First run in 1982, this year will mark the 36th running of the prestigious 715m event, with the race not held in 2001.
Afro Freeway won the inaugural edition of the race, and unlike the Perth Cup, it was a race traditionally dominated by local runners until it obtained Group status.
The honour roll is a ‘who’s who’ of greyhound racing, featuring the likes of Elektra, Wits End, Paradise Street, and WA’s champion bitch Miata.
WA chasers hold a significant advantage over eastern states chasers in the Galaxy’s head-to-head record, leading 26 to nine.
However, since the race obtained Group status, chasers from the east have the advantage nine to seven over the locals.
Similarly to the Perth Cup, the male greyhounds lead the female greyhounds 23-12.
The box draw has also proven to be crucial in the Galaxy’s history.
Box one is the most successful box, recording nine wins, with the most recent of those being Seeking Justice in 2016, while box eight hasn’t been a major setback for greyhounds, with last year’s winner Bogie Bekem among five greyhounds to come from that box.
In similar circumstances to the Perth Cup, box six has also proven to be unkind in the Galaxy, with just one winner jumping from the green box in 1997.
Miata came from box four in 2012, and box three in 2013.
Linda Britton has once again proven to be the most successful trainer in the Galaxy with five winners, while Keith Harding has three winners.
Robert Britton has Rippin’ Sam and Tornado Tears engaged in this year’s Galaxy, as he looks to join Harding on three wins.
The first of three Galaxy heats gets underway at 7.05 on Saturday night.
Tim Walker