Emma Pritchard

There were emotional scenes at the Grafton Greyhound Racing Club on April 14 following the running of the Jack Somerville Northern Rivers Cup qualifying heats over 450m.

Less than half an hour after Impress Dressel recorded a resounding victory over Isurava in the first of the two heats run during the 12-race program to book their spots in the upcoming feature event, the grandstand erupted with cheers as locally owned and trained greyhound Albert’s Memory proved too strong for the short priced favourite Valhalla in the second and final heat of the night.

Named in honour of the late Daryl “Albert” Gleeson, a well-loved member of the Grafton sporting community who sadly passed away in 2021 after a long illness, Albert’s Memory started at 15/1, despite bringing consistent form into the race off the back of a string of second placings and enjoyed a trouble free run along the rails after Hit The Switch and Rushforth Ally struck interference during the middle stages of Heat 2.

Winning trainer Reg Gardoll was pleased to see Albert’s Memory jump well from an inside box and said the three-year-old black dog by Hard Style Rico did everything right.

Speaking with the Clarence Valley Independent following the race, Mr Gardoll said it was an honour to have a greyhound named after Albert qualify for the inaugural Jack Somerville Northern Rivers Cup.

“Albert was well known in the area, and a lot of the blokes who bought into the dog were all good mates of his, and now, we’re also racing in a race dedicated to a man that everybody loved in the Northern Rivers, Jack Somerville,” he said.

Describing himself as very happy for the owners, Mr Gardoll said he would love to draw box 8 in the final, but revealed he would be content with any number.

“Just to have him (Albert’s Memory) in the final line-up, that’s what makes us proud,” he said.

The full field for the Jack Somerville Northern Rivers Cup over 450m was not available at the time of publication, with two further 484m qualifying heats scheduled to be held at Casino on April 16.

The Grafton Greyhound Racing Club will host the inaugural running of the Jack Somerville Northern Rivers Cup at their upcoming race meeting on April 20.

Full coverage of the event will be included in the April 24 edition of the Clarence Valley Independent.