Bill Elson has waited a long time for a Group winner and he has two chances of success in Thursday’s Group 3 tattsbet.com Gold Coast Cup Final (520m).
The Queensland-based trainer has brother and sister Bill’s Fantasy and Cyndie’s Special racing from boxes three and six respectively in the $25,000-to-the-winner race at Albion Park.
Cyndie’s Special is rated an $8 shot with TAB Fixed Odds and certainly has a chance based on her consistent recent form.
The draw may not have been kind to the littermates but Elson reckons Cyndie’s Special is in the mix.
“If she can get across then she has a chance,” he said.
“She would have been better in the two and he in the six but I think she will go well.
“It’s a pretty hard race but I think Cyndie’s Special has a rough chance.”
Highly promising Happy Haswell was the fastest in last week’s heats and will start the final from box four.
Queensland-owned Farmor Las Vegas, trained by gun Victorian Robert Britton, also impressed in last week’s heats and looks tough to stop from box one.
Tony Brett’s Chant">Chant (box five) also looks dangerous.
Bill’s Fantasy is rated a $23 chance but Cyndie’s Special looks to be strong contender.
She has won 14 of her 50 starts, lost only to Chant by a neck in last week’s heat and has placed in eight of her last 11 starts.
“I think Chant is likely to get out and across them so he could be tough to stop,” Elson said.
“I think Happy Haswell will be hardest (to beat), but Cyndie’s Special is an honest little dog.”
Victory would be a first Group win for Elson, who works out of Churchable, about 90km outside central Brisbane, in more than 30 years of training.
He will be assisted on the night by his son Travis, who has become a handy trainer in his own right and currently has about 30 greyhounds.
Elson senior was introduced to the sport by his mates and quickly became hooked.
“I thought, ‘this looks like a good way to earn some money’,” the 67-year-old said with a grin.
“Training doesn’t feel like a job – it’s more of a hobby.
“I like the enjoyment of working with greyhounds and winning a race anywhere.
“You’ve got to keep doing something as you get older and this keeps me active.”
The race is one of ten at Albion Park on Thursday.
For Albion Park fields and form, click here.
Gold Coast Cup Final Box Draw (TAB Fixed Odds price in brackets): 1. Farmor Las Vegas ($1.90); 2. Give You Credit ($21); 3. Bill’s Fantasy ($23); 4. Happy Haswell ($2.30); 5. Chant ($11); 6. Cyndie’s Special ($8); 7.Gunspeed ($51); 8. Outa Tempo ($41). Reserves: Visualize It, Yogi Blue.
