Vince Curry champion Elisheba set for travel plans

By Jordan Gerrans

In-form trainer Adam Mcintosh has flagged the likelihood of Vince Curry Memorial champion Elisheba travelling interstate for higher honours following Saturday’s triumph.

It has been a stunning week for the small kennel of Mcintosh.

He claimed the prestigious Group 3 event for maiden runners on Saturday evening, just days after winning the Listed Golden Oldies at Albion Park with Inner Tea Cup on Gold Bullion evening.

It was his first taste of a Group level Final in his training career, securing the victory at the earliest opportunity.

It was also his first Listed win on Thursday night.

The training victories were both as heartfelt as they are worthy for the Bray Park dog man.

Inner Tea Cup was on the verge of retirement just a few months ago.

And, Elisheba had never had a 520 metre look at the Ipswich circuit before starting in the heats of the popular Vince Curry series last month.

“I am a big believer that things happen for a reason,” the plasterer by trade said.

“I will take it, definitely.”

As of Monday afternoon, Mcintosh has won six of the last seven races he has had a starter in.

The 2021 champion of the time-honoured Vince Curry series – Ned Snow’s Shipwreck – has travelled interstate to chase further riches on a number of occasions since the memorable triumph at Ipswich.

Shipwreck has gone on to win over $200,000 in stakes since his 30.77 second victory this time last year.

Elisheba stopped the clock in 30.81 seconds on Saturday evening.

Trainers will often declare travelling dogs interstate or to the northern areas of Queensland can help with maturity in young greyhounds.

And, the 50-year-old Mcintosh says it could be the next step he takes with his kennel star.

“The Vince Curry has been the main target in recent weeks but I suppose I will need to keep an eye on the age restricted races that are coming up in Brisbane and maybe even interstate,” Mcintosh said.

“I have never travelled with her to Rockhampton or anywhere to give her a good travel.

“At times the trip away can do a dog more good.

“We will keep an eye out and place her the best we can.”

Elisheba was able to lead from inside draws in the heat and the semi-final of the series in the previous two weeks.

She showed on Saturday evening in the Final that she had a few more strings to her bow as she came from back in the field to find a gap as they turned for home to storm to the finish line.

Elisheba scored by just over two lengths when it was all said and done.

Mcintosh – who prepares a handful of dogs in his kennel – noticed during the heat and the semi-final that he may have an emerging stayer on his hands.

“In her last sectionals, she is very strong,” Mcintosh said.

“Going into the pen, she is still going.

“There could be something there to get further in distance down the track.”

Mcintosh was originally handed Elisheba – or Lizzy as she is known around his kennels - and her litter brother by owner Bruce Wood.

The brother broke in quicker than Elisheba, but he has since moved on from the Mcintosh team.

Mcintosh and Wood have had a connection for more than 13 years racing dogs.

Elisheba is a daughter of Lilly Sur Seine who has produced top dogs such as Sequana, Stinger Noir and No Easy Beat, among others.

“The owner had purchased a number of pups at a younger age,” he said.

“The breeding is up there with the best of them.

“It is proven with top liners so he decided to go and purchase two more.”