One of the annual feature events on the Central Coast calendar is the Ladbrokes Gosford Goldmine run over 515m. The series was first introduced in 2011 and was open to fifth grade greyhounds only, however it has now morphed into a non-graded restricted 1-6 win series in 2023.
Nat's The One took out the first edition of the race in 2011, followed by Lochinvar Curl in 2012. Shanghai Rose claimed the spoils in 2013, while Oh So Striking won the race the following year. Toe Punt took out the Goldmine in 2015, Lochinvar Hugo was victorious in 2017, while Pandemonium won the first edition of the non-graded Goldmine in 2019.
In 2021, rising star Bandit Ned enhanced his growing reputation with a strong win in the feature final.
The son of Fernando Bale burst onto the scene at the beginning of 2021, winning dual Group 3 titles in the Magic Maiden and Nowra Puppy Classic, before heading to Gosford for the Goldmine series. He won his heat in a time of 29.60 and qualified second fastest for the final behind the sensational 29.27 run of Robbie Rotten, but managed to turn the tables on his main rival in the decider courtesy of a brilliant mid race move.
After being only fair away, Bandit Ned circled the field through the catching pen from Box 7 and soon strode past early leader and eventual runner up Suzie's Face. Once at the front, and with Robbie Rotten caught up back in the field, it was all over bar the shouting as 'Ned' claimed a third feature final in the space of three months.
In 2022, it was Too Sassy who claimed the crown with a massive run despite being last out of the lids from Box 8. The diminutive daughter of Dyna Double One had to work her way around the field from the wide draw and once she landed in front, it was a brave effort to fend off the chasing pack. She beat home Lightnin' Ethics by 1.25 lengths, with Knighted Shadow finishing third.
