Spring Vale Ortiz
Jabari
Born Lovely 
Air Marshall
Gawler Greyhounds- Produce Stake heats Wrap
Friday 19th of June was the start of the Gawler Produce Stake for 2020. We held 4 heats in total this year with the semi finals being run this coming Friday 26th of June, the final being held on Sunday 5th of July.
The Gawler Produce is a prestigious race to win and ties into the Gawler Gold Cup later in the year where there is a bonus $10000 if the winner of the Produce takes out the Gold Cup in the same year. The Produce was first run in 1975 and continues to hold a huge amount of interest for the trainers and owners. The event is a “paid up race” with trainers nominating their greyhound during the previous year, to qualify they must have been whelped 2 years prior.
Heat 1 was easily won by Springvale Ortiz trained by Gavin Harris, the favourite Spring Vinnie out of box 4 jumped slowly and never really looked to be able to find its stride. Springvale Ortiz on the other hand jumped well and took the lead down the back straight and extended its lead 8 lengths winning in a time of 30.87seconds
Heat 2 was won by Jabari trained by local Neil Mann in a winning time of 30.98seconds. Jabari lead all the way and Spring Cobra trained by Greg Board finished 2nd in a time of 31.14.
Heat 3 The favourite Born Lovely trained by Ben Rawlings won in a time of 30.97sec ahead of Spring Burner trained by Greg Board. Born Lovely maintained a lead over Spring Burner for the entire race. It was only around the last turn that Born Lovely ensured the win. It was a good race.
Heat 4 was the fastest winning time of the 4 heats and had some early speed between the eventual winner Air Marshall trained by Ray Murray, Long Gully Barney trained by Paula Hearnden and Buddy Guy trained by Tony Rasmussen. The 3 greyhounds jumped well with Long Gully Barny taking a small lead early closely followed by Air Marshall and Buddy Guy. By the back straight Air Marshall had gained the lead ahead of Long Gully Barney with Buddy Guy dropping off the pace. It could have been either dog’s win but Air Marshall was just too strong and took the win in 30.68seconds, Long Gully Barny finished in 30.83seconds 2 lengths behind.
There will be 2 semi’s which will see first 4 from each heat race to move through to the final. Keep an eye out for Air Marshall and Buddy Guy as they had the best 2 times in the heats but it could be any greyhound’s opportunity to move through to the Final on Sunday 5th July.
Check out all the action on Sky 1 and 2