The stage is set, the tracks are primed, and the nation’s fastest greyhounds are ready to chase glory under the lights at The Q.
This Saturday night, August 30, the 2025 Greyhound Nationals bring together the elite of Australian greyhound racing for a historic triple-header: the National Sprint Championship, National Distance Championship, and the National Straight Track Final all contested at one venue.
With Group 1 status and an $85,000 winner’s purse up for grabs in both the Sprint and Distance finals, expect fierce competition and electrifying performances.
The contenders are primed, the stage is set, and reputations are on the line.
Let’s break down who’s got the edge and which greyhound might rise to the moment.
VILLAIN OF MAGIC (7) is chasing in a rich vein of form and looking for his third win in a row.
The son of Zambora Brockie clocked a best of the night 34.75 seconds when defeating Midnight Queen over 600m at Q2 Parklands two starts ago.
He registered a personal best time of 35.96 seconds which is just 0.02 seconds off the track record when a dominant winner here last start.
If he jumps as quickly as he did last start, he should be able to cross from box 7 and take up the running.
| 7. Villain Of Magic (7) 53311T: Kerry Hoggan |
JEREMIAH FIRE (4) looks ready to rise again in distance after two pleasing performances over 550m here recently.
The Warren Nicholls-trained dog found himself at the tail after drawing the outside two starts ago before rattling home to miss the win by a nose.
Last start he settled second but just couldn’t run down the leader despite making late ground rapidly to finish second by a length.
The last time he raced over a similar distance to this, he won the Clarence Final at Grafton where he defeated Autumn Storm.
| 4. Jeremiah Fire (4) 34522T: Warren Nicholls |
MILE A MINUTE (3) is looking to win back-to-back National Straight Track Championships after overcoming a chaotic start in last year’s title race.
The Victorian speedster arrives at The Q in magnificent form having won his past six starts.
That includes a scintillating Victorian Straight Track Championship heat win at Healesville in 18.94 seconds before returning to win the final last start in 18.99 seconds.
He has the speed to blast straight to the front.
| 3. Mile A Minute (3) 11111T: Bradley Greenough |
GUS THE GREAT (4) returns to this course and distance after finishing in the second half of the field over 457m at Q1 Lakeside last start.
The Travis Elson-trained dog ran a great race here two starts ago when working home strongly for second in a personal best of 30.18 seconds.
He consistently runs times around that mark and a repeat would see him go close here.
The speed is drawn to his inside in box 3 which should provide him with a great cart across.
| 4. Gus The Great (4) 54325T: Travis Elson |
FIRETHORN (1) was checked early in the NSW National Distance Championship final two starts ago and dropped out to finish near the tail as favourite.
The Wow bitch has been in excellent form before and after that, particularly at The Q.
Six starts back she led all the way over this course and distance to win a heat of the Group 1 Queensland Cup in 41.33 seconds.
Last start she produced an ultra-impressive performance to stop the clock in 41.21 seconds after opening a massive lead and going all the way.
She should use box 1 to advantage and find the front early.
| 1. Firethorn (1) 21171T: Mark Moroney |
FILL MY POCKETS (3) has improved with racing and is looking for his third win in a row.
The David Sloan-trained dog found the line powerfully from well off the leader two starts ago to win narrowly over 520m here.
He stepped up to this course and distance for the first time last start and led all the way in 35.02 seconds.
He tired a touch late but will be better for the run and I expect him to enjoy a nice tracking Moet Magic.
| 3. Fill My Pockets (3) 53211T: David Sloan |
WITHOUT A TRACE (5) is an exciting staying prospect that can prove she’s Australia’s best by winning the G1 Ladbrokes National Distance Championship Final.
There is no doubt that this is her stiffest test to date, but her win in the Victorian Distance Final where she was able to circle the leaders on the home turn to power away from Ethanol Water for a 1.75 length win says she’s up to it.
Her only defeat in her past four starts came in the G3 Fireball when suffering an injury.
She possesses good early speed and will need to produce her best jump from the squeeze box.
| 5. Without A Trace (5) 11811T: Peter Presutto |
BLUEY IS BOUJEE (2) will find this easier than last start when competing against Cumbria Jack in a heat of the Queensland Sprint Championship.
The daughter of Fernando Bale began well from box 3 but just couldn’t cross and was outclassed to finish fifth in 29.97 seconds.
Two starts back she flew out of box 5 to lead all the way for an impressive eight-length win in 29.75 seconds.
She has the speed to get on the arm from box 2.
| 2. Bluey Is Boujee (2) 42315T: Paul McIlveen |
MEPUNGA REWARD (2) is one of the stars of the sport and proved that last start when qualifying for the G1 Ladbrokes National Sprint Championship Final.
The Jeff Britton-trained dog was squeezed early in the final of the Victorian Sprint Final but being last worked to his advantage as he was able to rail through and avoid the first bend trouble before storming home to win.
In his favour is the fact he has experience over this course and distance having won a heat of the G1 Ladbrokes Brisbane Cup in 29.42 seconds just five starts ago.
Inside draws are an advantage in big time finals and he’s drawn perfectly in box 2 which should see him get on the back of Mallee Beauty before using his late race power to claim the victory.
| 2. Mepunga Reward (2) 11531T: Jeffrey Britton |
SUPER SCRUB (4) has been competing well against tougher opposition so looks well placed in this field.
The Travis Elson-trained dog was last seen leading Cumbria Jack in the Queensland Sprint Final before being run down for a close third in 29.55 seconds.
He impressed two starts back when winning his heat in a sizzling 29.50 seconds.
Drawing box 4 isn’t ideal, but he possesses plenty of early speed to be able to cross.
| 4. Super Scrub (4) 31213T: Travis Elson |
SHAMROCK HAYZE (7) appreciated rising in distance following several races over the shorter sprint trips after a spell.
The son of Fernando Bale fought bravely two starts back over this course and distance to finish second in 29.82 seconds.
He went one better last start when leading all the way for an easy 5.5 length win in 29.79 seconds.
He’s only been out of the top three once in eight starts over this track and trip and should be too powerful late for his rivals.
| 7. Shamrock Hayze (7) 51521T: Sandra Hunt |
TAYLA’S LASS (1) began well over this course and distance last start but just couldn’t cross to lead, putting pay to her chances and she had to settle for a 4.25 length fourth.
It was certainly a different story the start prior and based on that run, I’m happy to give her another go.
On that occasion, the Hard Style Rico-trained bitch displayed sharp early pace, carving out a sizeable lead into the back straight before cruising home two lengths clear in a smart 30.19 seconds.
With her early speed and favourable draw, she looks well placed to find the front from box 1 and if that happens then she’ll be hard to run down.
| 1. Tayla’s Lass (1) 15514T: Patricia Carrington |