Elusive Desire keeps his owner-trainer's Colin Graham hands full but the pair could celebrate a memorable victory in tonight's Group 3 Clint’s Caravan Gold Coast Cup (520m) decider at Albion Park.
The son of Cold Fusion and Elusive Angel, who is the sole NSW representative in the $25,200-to-the-winner decider, jumps from box one and looks a decent outside chance.
Elusive Desire, who qualified after finishing second in last week’s heats has scored 20 wins and 31 minor placings from 85 starts and won more than $100,000 prize money.
He has not triumphed since May but has placed in each of his last seven starts and also has a super record from box one, with five wins and three minor placings from nine previous starts wearing the red rug.
“There will some dogs faster than him in the final but they might not try as hard,” Graham, who works out of the tiny NSW Northern Rivers base of Wiangaree, said. “Whatever happens, he always gives 100 per cent.
“He will rail through the first turn and if there’s any trouble, he’ll ready to pounce.
“If there’s any greyhounds in front of him towards the finish who are not too strong, then they’d better watch out because he is the best chasing greyhound I have had in my life.”
Gun Queensland trainer Tony Brett rugs up four chances in the races - Zabdon Ferrari (box two), Split Image (box four), Thirty Talks (box six) and Aston Jadore (box seven).
Zabdon Ferrari has won six of his last seven starts, captured last month's Group 3 Townsville Cup and ran a storming 29.88 in last week's heats.
The draw would likely give him the advantage of brilliant talent Thirty Talks, who ran 29.83 in last week's heats ahead of Elusive Desire.
A winner of this year's $100,000-to-the-winner Richmond Riches, Thirty Talks has run 29.66 at Albion Park but can be unpredictable at box rise.
Elusive Desire is the bane of Graham’s life with his pre-race antics but all will be forgiven if he salutes tonight.
“He’s highly strung greyhound, that’s for sure,” Graham said. “Everyone knows him as the crazy greyhound.
“As soon as he gets behind the (starting) boxes and he hears, ‘leads and collars off’, that’s when he starts playing up with barking and carrying on.
“Other trainers say he puts their greyhounds off (with his noise), but it doesn’t help him too much either.
“He may be crazy but he’s a terrific greyhound – a little beauty.
“I love him.”
Elusive Desire scored Graham’s biggest win in more than 40 years’ involvement with the sport when he won the $25,000-to-the Flying Amy Classic last year.
“I almost cried tears of happiness (with the win),” Graham said. “I’m not sure I’ll hold it together tonight if he does the same – I’m Hopeless like that.
“It would be such a thrill to see him win, but as long as he’s happy and healthy that’s the main thing.”
Reserve Nooree Dessa (box two) gets a run with Sheza Keen Size's scratching, while the Bill Elson-trained kennelmates Fabulous Bill (box five) and Hope's Magic (box eight) complete the field.
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