Ginny's gold chance to be a Topgun

By Jordan Gerrans

Young trainer Riley Evans admits he was surprised when Goldstar Ginny was one of the invitees to the upcoming rich Topgun series in Melbourne, but he believes targeting the event could be the best path forward for the bitch.

Earlier this week, the Melbourne Greyhound Racing Association sent out invitations to nominate for this year’s Group 1 Topgun and Topgun Stayers events to be held at The Meadows early in November. 

From a Sunshine State perspective, Evans’ Goldstar Ginny was given the nod alongside Tom Tzouvelis’ Autumn Storm and Red Dirt Road from Tim Britton’s kennel in the staying race.

For the sprinters, boom chaser Daysea’s Rory and Jeff Crawford’s Blue Blend were invited while Cumbria Jack – who has spent long periods of 2025 racing in Brisbane under the watch of Tony Brett – was also included.

The Queensland-owned Barefoot Zulu has also been invited for the sprint race.

The Group 1 Topgun carries first place prizemoney of $150,000 for the sprinters and $75,000 for the stayers.

Former Kiwi-based stayer Goldstar Ginny was somewhat of a shock selection in the 22 dogs over the longer trip, but Churchable’s Evans will take it.

“It is good to be recognised that she is a good stayer,” he said.

The black bitch raced at a high level in New Zealand before the Evans clan relocated to Queensland earlier this year. 

She has continued to race well but has consistently run into the classy Red Dirt Road and Firethorn in staying events at Q2 Parklands.

In her last four starts, she has placed with either Red Dirt Road or Firethorn (who was also invited to the Topgun series for Grafton trainer Mark Moroney) winning the 710 metre event.

“She has been keeping up with Red Dirt Road and Firethorn,” Evans said.

“When she is at her best, she ran past Firethorn and only just got beat by Red Dirt Road.

“She makes it hard on herself just because she doesn’t begin and she needs to work through the field when those two dogs are on the bunny.

“It is hard to run down good dogs like that. I have been really happy with how she has been going.

“I am not sure the 710 metre surface here does suit her quite enough.”

Connections who have received invitations to nominate for the Topgun series have until 10am next Friday to lodge a nomination with Greyhound Racing Victoria should they wish to be considered for a position in the final fields.

All going well, Goldstar Ginny will be one of the nominations and Evans believes the 730 metre track at The Meadows will suit the daughter of Sennachie.

The conditioner likened the 730 metre surface at The Meadows to what she previously raced on at Cambridge in NZ, where she last won over 747 metres.

“I think the 730 metres will right up her alley, she just guns late,” he said.

“In her races back home, in the last 50 metres she would go from fifth to first.

“She would really eat them up late and run all day.

“I am thinking the 730 metres on a harder track will really suit her.”

Goldstar Ginny has drawn the six for a 710 metre race at Q2 Parklands on Saturday evening.

She will dodge Red Dirt Road and Firethorn for the first time in a month with neither chaser nominated for the event.

Evans said she is likely to have another run at Q1 Lakeside on Friday of next week in the Breast Cancer Cup over 642 metres before hopefully heading to Victoria for the Topgun series.

It has been a busy week for the Evans team after Goldstar Prada claimed the Col Harris Gold Sovereign Final at Q1 Lakeside last Saturday night.

“She won that 550 metre race and I gave her a few weeks off to set her for it,” Evans said.

“It is always good to line a dog up for a feature race and they get up and win.”

Goldstar Prada will drop back in distance to contest a heat of the Ipswich Futurity on Thursday.

Evans says the entire family is pleased with how well their kennel had settled into the Queensland racing scene after making the move from NZ earlier this year.