As the curtain prepares to fall on one of Australia’s most iconic greyhound racing venues, the 2025 Ladbrokes Megastar Night at Dapto promises to be a send-off worthy of its storied legacy.
After nearly nine decades of electrifying action, unforgettable champions, and passionate community spirit, the Dapto Dogs will take their final lap under the lights on Thursday September 11, marking the end of an era with their premier Group 1 event.
With elite sprinters from across the nation converging for one last showdown on the famed NSW South Coast track, the atmosphere will be charged with emotion and anticipation.
Last year’s winner Good Odds Cobber returns to defend his crown and will face stiff competition from local hero Sooty Keeping and interstate raiders Hotel Whisky One and Delicate.
In the words of Ashley Schaeffer: “Can you feel the tension in the air?”
We’ve got 12 races to get involved in on Ladbrokes Megastar night, and I’ve gone through each one of them with a fine-tooth comb with my findings below.
This Masters race isn’t really one I want to get involved in but I think ALL JOY (1) gets the right setup to jag a win.
The daughter of Flying Ricciardo doesn’t have a great deal of strength so is suited over this short scamper trip and that was shown three starts back when she exploded out of box 8 to lead, only to get run down late to finish two lengths second.
She’s ideally drawn in box 1 and two of her best performances over this course and distance came earlier this year when she wore the red in back-to-back 17.20 and 17.21 second victories.
She should land on the arm no problem, but we will have our hearts in our mouths late and be praying she hangs on.
| 1. All Joy (1) 85257T: Randall Walter |
ATHLETE TICK (7) loves this course and distance and boasts an impressive record of five wins and two seconds from nine starts.
The Aston Rupee bitch equaled her personal best here last start when flying out of box 1 and opening a big lead to win by 6.25 lengths in 16.71 seconds.
Earlier this year she replicated that time when winning from this box.
Her best jump should see her cross and lead all the way.
| 7. Athlete Tick (7) 0x541T: Shaun Evans |
CORLESS INSANE (2) didn’t have a great deal of luck when finishing at the tail last start at Richmond and will appreciate a return to Dapto.
The son of Barcia Bale has won 16 of 35 starts over this course and distance including his past three in a row.
Just two starts ago he broke 17 seconds here and with a personal best of 16.76 seconds, he should be hard to beat.
On his best jump, I expect him to lead from box 2.
| 2. Corless Insane (2) 11415T: Tayt Corless |
The Remembering Terry Hill Maiden Final not only honours a footy legend but also nods to his cheeky legacy at the Dapto Dogs where ‘Go Nads!’ became a rallying cry, and SECRET BANDIT (2) now looks to follow in those famous pawprints.
The Jodie Lord-trained bitch impressed on debut last start over this course and distance when leading all the way to qualify for this final in the quickest heat time of 29.93 seconds.
She’ll be better for the experience so I’m expecting her to lower that time.
From box 2 she should get on the arm and go all the way.
| 2. Secret Bandit (2) 1T: Jodie Lord |
SKEDADDLE DENNIS (4) looks well placed in this restricted win race given he’s the only dog to have won three races.
The son of Aston Rupee was electric four starts ago when leading all the way over 520m at Nowra where he clocked 29.63 seconds.
He made it three consecutive wins when powering home to win back-to-back races again at Nowra.
The vacant box to his inside helps and he just needs to jump on terms to be hard to beat.
| 4. Skedaddle Dennis (4) x1113T: Mark Suttle |
AYDEN’S WARRIOR (7) looks ready for a return to this distance after finding the line well over 520m recently.
While I don’t think the son of Fernando Bale would have beaten Hotel Whisky One in his heat of the Ladbrokes Megastar last start, he should have finished a lot closer than three lengths third after copping a check in the back straight.
He loves this course and distance having won five of seven starts over it with a personal best of 34.04 seconds.
With a clear run from box 7, he should be fighting out the finish.
| 7. Ayden’s Warrior (7) 13613T: Jodie Lord |
ROSA MARIE (8) jumped well in her heat of the Ladbrokes Megastar last start but was squeezed early when contending for the lead and dropped out to finish fifth.
Prior to that the Fernando Bale bitch was in hot form with five wins in a row and a close second at Wentworth Park, The Gardens, Gosford and Taree.
She returns to Dapto for the first time since the beginning of her career, where she registered a slick 29.78 seconds for this distance when winning her third start.
Her early speed should see her able to cross from box 8 and settle in a forward position.
| 8. Rosa Marie (8) 11115T: Joseph Scerri |
DELICATE (1) gave a good sight in her first look at Dapto last start and will be better for the experience.
The Jason Thompson-trained bitch showed good speed in her heat of the Ladbrokes Megastar to lead from box 7 before being run down by Sooty Keeping and finishing 1.75 lengths second in 29.78 seconds.
Thompson noted that she got a bit lost in the run, so she’s now ideally drawn in box 1 where she gets the benefit of following the rail.
Her record when wearing the red rug is exceptional and stands at four wins and a second from five starts.
| 1. Delicate (1) 16112T: Jason Thompson |
ARIA’S DREAM (8) tasted defeat for the first time last start after winning an amazing seven races in a row.
The daughter of Aussie Infrared boasts a good record over this course and distance having won 12 of 26 starts.
She clocked 16.91 seconds just two starts ago when leading all the way in a six-length win.
She’s regularly broken 17 seconds and should get clear air from box 8 so looks a good chance to return to the winner’s circle.
| 8. Aria’s Dream (8) 11116T: Ashleigh Harris |
RITZA KRIS (2) has started her career in awesome style with four wins from six starts.
The Bernardo bitch could not have been more impressive last start when taking on this course and distance for the first time where she won in 29.57 seconds.
Prior to that she won three in a row at Wentworth Park where she ran slick times on each occasion.
She should get on the arm from box 2 and prove hard to beat.
| 2. Ritza Kris (2) 71111T: Patricia Chaker |
INTREPID EAGLE (8) ran a bold race last start when storming home to finish second in 29.97 seconds in a heat of the Ladbrokes Megastar.
The son of Jungle Deuce will find this a lot easier and was racing in good form prior to that.
Five starts back he ran a best of the night time of 29.34 seconds when winning from this box at Gosford and clocked another meeting fastest time when winning at Nowra two starts ago.
He has box 8 to deal with but has the early speed and class to handle it.
| 8. Intrepid Eagle (8) 12612T: Wayne Bradley |
If Dapto’s swan song needs a showstopper, BEST SURPRISE (5) might just be the greyhound with the mic drop.
The daughter of Wow enjoyed her first look at this course and distance last start when leading all the way in a best of the night 34.54 seconds.
She’ll be stronger for the experience so potentially can register a quicker time.
If she replicates her jump last start, she should be able to counter the squeeze box.
| 5. Best Surprise (5) 51621T: Andrew Rowe |