Colin Graham is hoping Elusive Desire can kick-start a memorable few weeks with victory in Saturday night's Group 3 City of Ipswich Gold Cup (520m) decider.
The greyhound ($14 with Sportsbet), who won this year’s Flying Amy Classic at Albion Park and was an impressive winner in last week’s heats, jumps from box six in the terrific $31,500-to-the-winner decider.
After this race, NSW Northern Rivers owner-trainer Graham will aim Elusive Desire for the Group 1 Sky Racing Brisbane Cup heats on November 26 – a week before the owner-trainer’s birthday.
Elusive Desire will start as one of the outsiders but Graham is expecting another strong run from his greyhound.
“There’s something about him – he just never stops pushing and trying,” Graham said. “I know none of them will be trying harder than him on Saturday night.
“There was a lot of trouble in his race last week but I still thought he ran terrifically.
“Being realistic, he faces a battle, but one thing’s for sure – he will give everything.”
Last week’s 30.53 win extended Elusive Desire’s career record to 16 wins and 13 minor placings from 44 starts.
The son of Cold Fusion and Elusive Angel has won more than $80,000 prize money and has scored two wins and three minor placings from seven starts wearing the green rug.
He also enjoyed a decent spell under Michelle Shambler’s mentorship earlier this year, scoring two placing s from three starts at Wentworth Park in August.
“He was a good greyhound before that, but Michelle worked hard with him and really helped him,” Graham said.
“He gives his strongest effort every single time and you can’t say that about every greyhound.”
Elusive Desire provided Graham with his biggest win in more than 40 years of training when he won the $25,000-to-the-winner Flying Amy Classic earlier this year.
The greyhound usually provides Graham with plenty of pre-race headaches – but all will be forgiven if he can win on Saturday night.
“I have never had a greyhound like him,” Graham said with a smile. “He probably tries so hard (racing) because he is so crazy.
“As soon as I go near the car, he plays up straight away. He just knows it’s race day.
“Sometimes I think I deserve a medal for handling him. He can be a raving ratbag, but I love him.”
Gun Queensland trainer Peter Ruetschi has three hopefuls in the race, with Sheza Keen Size (box three) looking his best chance.
The daughter of Head Bound and Surf Queen ($3) has scored nine wins and three minor placings from 18 starts and was a terrific 30.35 heat winner.
Macnivek (box one, $8) and Hougenie (box two, $8.5)) went toe-to-toe in last week's heat, with the latter edging home.
Hougenie has won nine of her 13 starts here and is great form, with three consecutive victories to her name.
Simpatico (box four, $5.50) disappointed when favourite for the recent Group 2 Lismore Cup but has won 14 of her 22 starts and also looks a big danger.
Saturday’s race is at 9.25pm (NSW time).
For Ipswich Saturday fields, form and expert picks, click here.
Group 3 Ipswich Gold Cup Box Draw (Sportsbet prices in brackets): 1. Macnivek ($8) 2. Hougenie ($8.50) 3. Sheza Keen Size ($3) 4 Simpatico ($5.50) 5. Apatite ($13) 6. Elusive Desire ($14) 7. Cervelo ($4) 8. CASH In Motion ($5.50). 1R: Big Dac ($31); 2R: Titan Ash ($31).
Prices correct at the time of writing.
