RAY Smith has enjoyed arguably his most enjoyable year in four decades in greyhound racing thanks to Brad Hill Billy – and he hopes it gets even better at Goulburn tomorrow.
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The super sprinter, who has been one of NSW’s leading greyhounds in 2015 and won this year’s $40,000-to-the-winner Group 2 Bob Payne Spring Sprint (520m), jumps from box two in the third of four super heats of this year’s Goulburn Workers Club Cup (440m) heats.
Brad Hill Billy started his career in Tasmania but he and Smith have proved a good partnership since linking up earlier this year, with the greyhound extending his record to 15 wins and 19 placings from 44 starts.
His success has meant Smith has travelled thousands of kilometres this year from his base at Forbes in the NSW Central West – but he is not complaining one bit.
“We’ve had a ball,” Smith said with a grin. “It’s been a lot of fun.
“It’s been a lot of travelling, but I just look at (travelling to races) as a day out.
“I had no expectations of him when he came from Tasmania, so to see him go so well has been a real thrill.
You always hope to have a greyhound as special as him, so when you do it’s wonderful.
“It makes everything worthwhile.”
Brad Hill Billy’s super year includes seven wins at Sydney’s Wentworth Park, a track record at Unibet Gardens and form that has now earned him more than $130,000 prize money.
He recently spent an unsuccessful but memorable time in Victoria, which included running in heat of the Melbourne Cup, the world’s most lucrative race.
“It was a little disappointing that he didn’t do better down there,” Smith said.
“When you meet that calibre of greyhounds, though, it’s very tough.
“I think he’ll go better here. He’s usually a good traveller – he doesn’t mind the car – and he has trialled well at Goulburn.
“It’s been good fun this year and hopefully he can do even better yet.”
There are four-quality packed heats of this year’s cup, which offers $10,000 to the winner in next Tuesday’s final.
In addition to Brad Hill Billy, Let It Develop (Box 7, heat one), Kevin In Bangkok (Box 6, heat two) and Kazmic’s Revenge (Box 5, heat three) look the picks in the three other heats.
Black Bear Lee (box two, heat one) looks the best of the local hopes, with Spritely Dancer (box five, heat one) looking a tempting series roughie.
Ten races are on the card at Goulburn and action starts at 1.19pm.
For Goulburn fields, form and expert picks, visit www.thedogs.com.au.
GOULBURN TUESDAY PICKS (Courtesy www.thedogs.com.au)
Race 1: SEARCH IS OVER (Box 1)
Race 2: MILKO’S MAGIC (Box 7)
Race 3: LADY JAY (Box 7)
Race 4: SPIDERS BROTHER (Box 1)
Race 5: COUNTRY FOX (Box 2)
Race 6: LET IT DEVELOP (Box 7)
Race 7: KEVIN IN BANGKOK (Box 6)
Race 8: BRAD HILL BILLY (Box 2)
Race 9: KAZMIC’S REVENGE (Box 5)
Race 10: TANGO’S EXPRESS (Box 2)