Top Ten Local Chances in the 120Th Coopers Bay Sheffield

Top Ten Local Chances in the 122nd Coopers Bay Sheffield Todd Bateman (Handicap: 4.75m) The youngest ever winner of the Bay Sheffield, winning as a 15 year old at Adelaide Oval in 2003. Has the potential to be one of the best ever sprinters seen in South Australia but has been injury prone in recent seasons. Hasn’t been seen too often this season with the League but his 70m win at Glenelg last weekend caught the eye. Definitely worth including. Ryan Hancock (Handicap: 10.50m) The son of multiple Bay Sheffield finalist, Gary Hancock, who is also his coach these days. Made this final back two years ago and looks in shape to give it another crack. Made the rich Mt Gambier Gift final recently, then took out the 70m Open final at Colley Reserve a week later and last weekend blitzed his opposition in the 120m Open Glenelg Gift. Has the early speed to put a gap on his rivals. Aaron Harrison (Handicap: 11.00m) A three time finalist in the 1990s who won the biggest race in his career this season by taking out the Whyalla Gift off 11.5m. Will come back to the 11.0m limit for the 122nd Coopers Bay Sheffield but that won’t overly harm his chances. Not getting any younger and this is probably his last chance to claim the prestigious sash. Will give them something to catch. Dylan Hicks (Handicap: 10.25m) Last year’s Bay Sheffield 70m Open runner-up who has constantly struggled to maintain his lightning speed over the full 120 metre journey of the Bay Sheffield. Once again flew out of the blocks last weekend in the Glenelg Gift and then held on to finish 2nd. Looks in good form and one of the better local chances despite his tendency to die on his run. Robbie James (Handicap: 6.75m) The form sprinter of the SA Athletic League, who has won four sashes this season at Hallett Cove, Flinders, Reynella and Mt Gambier. Was a little off the boil last weekend at Glenelg but knows what it is like to win a Major Gift, having won the 2005 Nippys Loxton Gift. Is being guided by five-time SA Athletic League Coach of the Year Paul Young and is being set for this big race. Huge threat. Michael Nitschke (Handicap: 9.75m) Born and bred in the Riverland before settling in Adelaide to help his athletics endeavours. Has been the sprinting surprise packet of this season, having previously being better known for his efforts on the circle track. Made the Reynella Gift final before being placed in the Glenelg Gift. Can mix it with the best. Andrew Steele (Handicap: 7.25m) Winner of the 2004 Coopers Bay Sheffield in a famous finish, with Joshua Ross only 0.005 second behind. Is worse off at the marks compared to Ross this time around but has further improved to increase his chances of a second title. Was runner up in the Whyalla Gift this season before going on to take out the Mort Daly Gift at this venue. Knows what it takes to succeed and there is no reason why he can’t do it again. Damian Tohl (Handicap: 8.00m) The son of 1981 Bay Sheffield winner Anthony Tohl who created history last year by becoming the first son of a Bay Sheffield champion to also claim the crown. Has come back in the marks as all winners do but his effort at Mt Gambier when he once again ran a quick time suggests he will remain competitive. He won’t disgrace himself. Clay Watkins (Handicap: 4.75m) Broke the 12 second barrier to take out the 2005 Coopers Bay Sheffield in impressive style off 8.0m. Has since won a Whyalla Gift and placed in two Camden Classics. One of the state’s top athletes who was highly unlucky not to make the recent Mt Gambier Gift final before running 2 nd in the Mort Daly Gift at Colley Reserve. Not to be taken lightly. Dale Woodhams (Handicap: 6.50m) The 2007 Mt Gambier Gift winner who went into last year’s Coopers Bay Sheffield as the race favourite and was unlucky not to make the final, running 2nd in his semi to Victorian Peter Dudkiewicz. Has been around the mark again this season (including a placing in the Whyalla Gift) and will be better for the experience of last year. Do not dismiss.