His favourite driving CDs are probably worn out and he will be sick of service centre food, but dedicated Peter SIMPSON has earned a double chance of success.
After a drive of more than 19 hours to reach the north Queensland track, the Stratheden trainer has two finalists in Tuesday night's $25,000-to-the winner Group 3 Lounds Fresh Seafoods Townsville Cup (498m).
Both Pace Ventura and Glamour Row came through last week’s heats impressively and are decent chances for the final.
SIMPSON is delighted with his charges but considers two Queenslanders, the fastest heat winner Are Ate and the Tony Brett-trained Exhibitionist, as the greyhounds to beat.
“It is an evenly matched field but Are Ate was a very impressive winner, while Exhibitionist had never seen the track before finishing a close second in his heat,’’ SIMPSON said.
“And Tony Brett is a master trainer - always hard to toss in big races.
“The unplaced prizemoney of $500 might just about cover my petrol money but I didn’t come here to run unplaced and I give both my dogs a strong chance of bringing the Cup back to the great state of NSW, with Pace Ventura my most likely winner.
“He showed terrific speed in his heat last Tuesday and both he and Glamour Row have thrived up in Townsville.”
The pair will start the final from boxes four and five but are live chances if they can jump well and avoid trouble.
Both greyhounds cut their teeth at Casino and Lismore before going to the city, with Pace Ventura enjoying two Wentworth Park wins earlier this year.
It is a tough race but both greyhounds have prepared well.
“I’ve been taking them each morning to Bluewater Beach, about 20 minutes from the greyhound track,” SIMPSON said. “It is perfect for conditioning greyhounds.
“It is flat as a tack and there is never anyone there so you can gallop your dogs along the beach or swim them, whatever you prefer.’’
The Townsville race goes at 9.12pm (AEST).
It is a big week for Northern Rivers trainers, with Miner’s Moss going for Old Bonalbo's Mathew Reid in this Friday’s Black Top (515m) final at Unibet Gardens.
The chaser was the standout from Friday night’s heats at the Newcastle track, defying the soggy conditions to storm home in 29.43.
That performance ensured Miner’s Moss is the fastest qualifier for this Friday’s final, which carries $40,000 to the winner and is one of the most sought after titles on NSW’s greyhound racing circuit.
Meanwhile, Tuesday night's racing at Lismore is headlined by the Nimbin Bakery Stakes (635m).
Experienced Bogan Girl looks the one to watch from box four, having won three of her last four outings.
Minnie Jayda has also been another recent impressive performer and is one to watch from box four in the Northern Rivers Discount Batteries Stakes (520m).
Ten races are on the Lismore card and action starts at 6.46pm.
For Lismore fields, form and expert tips, click here.
