Spotted Elk has capped off a stunning debut season by being crowned the 2021 TAB Queensland Greyhound of the Year.
Trained by husband-and-wife pairing, Graham and Leanne Hall, Spotted Elk established herself as the state’s most promising chaser in 2021, recording 16 wins and 10 placings from 35 starts last year.
In a remarkably consistent 12 months, the bitch finished 2021 with a bang, claiming the inaugural Listed Queensland Flame and earning a spot on the national stage, representing the Sunshine State in the coveted $1.145 million TAB The Phoenix at The Meadows.
Starting a relative outsider against a number of the Australia’s top chasers, the Queenslander came close to causing a boilover, leading for a large portion of the feature race before being caught late to finish a scintillating second.
In being crowned TAB Greyhound of the Year, Spotted Elk defeated fellow finalists Extra Malt – a full sister to the winner – and recently retired staying champion, Maggie Moo Moo.
“Spotted Elk’s feats both here in Queensland and on the national stage with her stunning run in The Phoenix make her a deserving winner of the TAB Greyhound of the Year Award,” Racing Minister Grace Grace said.
“The greyhound code continues to flourish, with wagering and participation figures at its strongest in recent years, and it is fantastic to be able to acknowledge the accomplishments of our industry this evening - both human and canine.
“The last 12 months have continued to present their challenges for the racing industry, and I wish to thank everyone for their hard work and commitment in ensuring the sport remains in such a strong position.”
In total, Racing Queensland announced more than 20 award winners at the iconic Gabba venue, acknowledging the remarkable achievements of greyhound racing participants across the state throughout 2021.
Greyhound of the Year finalist Extra Malt did not go home empty handed, claiming the Run of the Year Award for her simply outstanding effort at Albion Park on October 28, checked back to near last before exploding in the closing stages of the race to claim victory.
The Outstanding Contribution Award, which was introduced in 2019 to recognise the tireless efforts of volunteers within the industry, was bestowed upon both Neville and Norma Jackson, who’ve both spent more than a decade as the backbone of the Rockhampton Greyhound Club in an era of unprecedented growth.
A rising star of the training ranks, Jedda Cutlack was awarded the Young Achiever Award for a season that amassed 27 winners at an astonishing 23% strike rate.
Her season also featured feature race success, with Showdown winning both the Molly Campbell Silver Dollars and Ipswich Derby, before Tungsten Miss claimed the Group 2 Bogie Leigh Futurity.
Finally, Ipswich Greyhound Racing Club committee stalwart, Di O’Donnell, was presented with the Woman in Racing Award for her tireless work in both the welfare space and her promotion of the sport through the annual Ipswich and Ekka Sweepstakes.
The evening also saw two Hall of Fame inductees, with legendary Brisbane Greyhound Racing Club vice president and long-time administrator, Bob Lambert, along with Tony Zammit’s former Greyhound of the Year Trojan Tears, the latest members.
2021 TAB Queensland Greyhound Award Winners
- Queensland Greyhound of the Year – Spotted Elk
- Brisbane Trainers Strike Rate Award – Bianca Whitford
- Brisbane Sire of the Year – Fernando Bale
- Brisbane Leading Owner Award – Cynthia Elson
- Brisbane Dam of the Year – Hope’s Magic
- Top Simbi Award – Townsville Greyhound Racing Club
- Brisbane Greyhound of the Year – Extra Malt
- Bundaberg Greyhound of the Year – Fogelberg
- Capalaba Greyhound of the Year – Magical Trav
- Ipswich Greyhound of the Year – Spring Cleo
- Rockhampton Greyhound of the Year – Love You Peaches
- Townsville Greyhound of the Year – Samshu
- Brisbane Trainer of the Year – Cynthia Elson
- Bundaberg Trainer of the Year – Darren Taylor
- Capalaba Trainer of the Year – Terry Priest
- Ipswich Trainer of the Year – Pauline Byers
- Rockhampton Trainer of the Year – Darren Taylor
- Townsville Trainer of the Year – Rhonda Essery
- Young Achiever – Jedda Cutlack
- Woman in Racing – Di O’Donnell
- Outstanding Contribution Award – Neville and Norma Jackson
- Run of the Year – Extra Malt
- QRIC Welfare Award – Joanna Phillips from Love a Greyhound
- Hall of Fame (Person) – Bob Lambert
- Hall of Fame (Greyhound) – Trojan Tears