Chappelow Embracing Jimmy Jenkins Test

INAUGURATED in 2021, the Jimmy Jenkins Memorial Final at Bulli on Tuesday honours a lifetime of service to a local hero who passed away in 2020, aged 98.

Former Socceroo Jimmy Jenkins dedicated more than 50 years of service to greyhound racing and, especially, the Bulli Club.

FIELDS AND FORM BULLI TUESDAY

Last year, at start four, Zipping Conway's 25.90 offering maintained his unbeaten record last year when $1.28 but this edition is far from cut-and-dried.

And just having a runner in the Jimmy Jenkins Memorial means the world to Craig Chappelow.

"I'm just thrilled to have a dog in this race and it'd be a real honour if Embrace could win it," the third generation trainer said.

"My grandparents Dorrie and Arthur (Chappelow) trained their greyhounds from Picton in the early ‘70's and the Greyhound Racing Control Board had the late Jimmy Jenkins as their regional marking official.

"They introduced the family to greyhound racing and my kids Roxie (4) and Josh (3) already love the dogs. Roxie is really keen while Josh, being only three, is still ‘learning the ropes'.

"As a kid, I'd go to Bulli with dad (Ken) and my uncle (Gary) and get involved with Jimmy on race day. He was a great man and much loved.

"My bitch (Embrace) has won only once in 12 starts but we've set her a tough task in many of her outings," Craig said.

"She was placed in the Robert Smith Memorial at The Gardens at her second start (behind G2 Flying Amy aspirant French Martini) and then made the final of the Bill & Peg Miller Final at Dubbo last month."

From early on, Embrace has always wanted to ‘use' a bit of the track and the rails alley is no real asset in this $15,000-to-the-winner final.

"She has very good box manners and has run really good time at Goulburn over 440m yet has the tendency to move to the right early on," the Oakdale-based owner-trainer added.

"It's by no means an easy race but she certainly has the talent to make things interesting. It's all about what she does in the first 100m and whether she stays to the inside or causes herself some grief."

In finishing second to Jackpot Ethics, Embrace hit the line hard when beaten just under one length in 26.28 (best) and certainly can run the sort of time to prevail.

Big Town Hero was the second quickest heat winner at 26.40 but has since backed up at Richmond on June 10. In fact, four of the eight finalists have raced since qualifying for the Bulli decider.

The Jimmy Jenkins Memorial Final at Bulli is race eight on an 11-event card and jumps at 4.55pm.