Aston Ebert is nearing the end of a stellar career but is set to bow out on a high note by taking out the Wauchope Cup, traditionally among the most sought after non-TAB races, on Saturday, January 6.
Trained by Geoff Grimwood for leading Victorian owner Ray Borda, Aston Ebert has won 24 of his 83 starts, with 14 of his victories registered with his Hunter Valley trainer.
"I have had a lot of fun with Aston Ebert and he has been marvellous, reaching three Group race finals for me, the Lismore, Casino and Gosford Cups,'' Grimwood said.
"He should go well in the Cup as I have taken him to Wauchope for a couple of trials to make sure he is at his peak for the race.
"I was lucky to acquire Aston Ebert as Jason Mackay was training him for Ray Borda and when he decided to move him on he recommended to his owner that I have a crack at the dog.''
Hunter Valley trained Leggy Blonde, from the Peter Akers kennel, won the 457m Cup in 2016 and qualified again for the 2017 final, finishing unplaced behind I'm A Rockstar, prepared by local
Wauchope trainer Richard Taffe at nearby Brombin.
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Ricky Brewer has been a trainer for only 10 months but landed his first winning double, with the only greyhounds in his kennels, at Richmond last Wednesday.
Brewer, a 23-year-old roof plumber, won 400m races with Betty Blockbuster and Miss Focus.
"I work long hours so could not manage training without the help of my wife Caitlyn,'' Brewer said.
"Betty Blockbuster is just an average short course bitch but like Miss Focus she is a tenacious chaser.
"I'm hoping Miss Focus will be able to step up and win over 450m and then jag a couple of 520m races.''
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The Hunter Valley owned Blackalls Boss took out Tasmania's biggest race, the Hobart Thousand in 2012, and the Newcastle owned Blue Gum Hill went within an ace of repeating that performance in last Thursday's final.
Trained in Victoria by Robbie Britton for Newcastle owner-breeder Charlie Lamb, Blue Gum Hill came from a long last at box rise to be beaten a head into third place.
His kennelmate Rock On Top, snatched victory on the line from Print The Money, another Victorian greyhound.
"Robbie Britton is in America at present but sent me a text after the race telling me how unlucky Blue Gum Hill was,'' Lamb said.
"The dog has been jumping beautifully but he picked the biggest race of his life to bungle the start.''
Blue Gum Hill is a grandson of Lamb's former champion One Tree Hill, who won the 2008 Group 1 Paws Of Thunder at Wentworth Park.
"Blue Gum Hill's dam Ema's Princess has a litter by Fabregas at my place and although only 10 months old they look like being really special,'' Lamb said.
The Hobart Thousand was first held in 1939 and is among the oldest races on the national calendar.
