‘White Wonder’ returns to the spotlight as Postman Pat delivers

By Pat McLeod

The ‘White Wonder’, Days Of Thunder, forced the spotlight back onto the locals with a typical, but still heart-stopping late blitz to win the Group 3 $107,825 Super Stayers Final at Albion Park on Thursday night.

The $8 outsider of the four-dog invitational match-race was back to her sensational best as the rich 2023 Queensland Winter Greyhound Racing Carnival reached another high with an action-packed night of features, showcasing the short-course stars and one more wave of brilliant interstate arrivals.

Days Of Thunder reeled in both First Picked (trained by Robert Britton who finished second) and Palawa King (Jack Smith – third), in the shadows of the post.

“I knew she had one more big race win in her,” Days Of Thunder's trainer Warren Nicholls said.
“I just didn't think she would be that far behind in this four-dog field. I thought she would tack on a little closer, maybe just a couple of lengths behind.

“But, she was probably every bit of half a dozen lengths back and I have to admit that I did hit the panic button up the straight the first time.

“But, at the 600 metre boxes she really motored.”

Nicholls and his Fernando Bale and Melissa's Pride chaser now have renewed confidence leading into the carnival’s high-point for stayers, the $175,000-to-the-winner Group 1 Queensland Cup over 710 metres.

Heats for the race are on June 29 before the Final on Friday, July 7. 

Earlier in the carnival Nicholls predicted Days Of Thunder had ‘one more big race in her’.

But, that comment has now been reassessed.

“I might up the ante and say that she still has one more in her,” Nicholls said.

“This really boosts ours and the dog’s confidence going into the Group 1 race. We are looking forward to it.

“I feel sensational. I am not surprised by the win. We thought she would be very competitive. We know she has ability.”

Before the distance dogs stamped their paw print on the night, ‘The Creek’ was already awash with million-dollar banter.

The three Brisbane Cup preludes, a precursor to Queensland’s first million-dollar race, the Group 1 Brisbane Cup over 520 metres all produced winning statements from star interstate chasers.

The Group 1 Brisbane Cup heats are on June 29 before the Final on Friday, July 7.

Firstly, WA’s Elite Machine comfortably handled his first look at the track in race conditions, scoring by two lengths over Bat Sign (Hassell Rolph) with Pudding Monelli (David Hobby) third.

Then two-time Group 1 winner, Victorian Amron Boy (Brooke Ennis), returned to Albion Park with a 29.73 second performance to also take winning form into next week’s heats, defeating Big Town Hero (Sandra Hunt) and Mr. Springtime (Sharyn Jackson).

Then Postman Pat arrived and delivered.

The much-hyped Kiwi, now with Victoria’s Jason Thompson, sizzled over the course in 29.39 seconds, the equal third-fastest time for track and distance.

He thumped Group-accomplished campaigner Shipwreck (Ned Snow) by 11 lengths with Crumble Monelli (David Hobby) third.

Prolific Queensland Group winner Tony Brett, who is preparing the dog for the Brisbane Cup, was in awe of the new arrival.

“He is the fastest dog that I have ever handled around here so I am quite humbled by it,” Brett said.

“Poetry in motion. It is good to watch fast dogs run.

“I am in awe of this dog, when you see times like that go up at this time of the year. You knew something was on when he came out under the lids.

“That is the important bit. For the next couple of weeks there are not too many that can lead him if he is doing that, so that is just what he has to keep reproducing.”

Brett was also pleased with another dog in his care, Elite Machine.

“I gave him a box-to-box last Thursday, but that was his first full run here," the trainer said. 

“That was the perfect confidence run. He didn't touch a dog and got around beautifully. He could not be better primed for next week.”

Brooke Ennis was just as rapt in Amron Boy’s win, who was in Brisbane for last year’s winter carnival, claiming a second in the Flying Amy Classic.

“Absolutely. I was happy with that,” Ennis said.

“It is great to come back up here and watch him go so well.

“Last time he was here he wasn't even two-years-old, so he has gone on and won two Group 1s and matured.

“Maturity is such a big thing and he is probably right in the peak of his racing now.

“He is ready for another Group 1, 100 per cent.”

Albion Park’s Thursday night program also featured Finals of the Lightning, the Thunder, the Tempest and the Chairman’s Cup.

Each of these boasted overall prize money of $18,500 with the winners collecting $12,025.

Of special interest was the win of Adulate in the Tempest in a sharp 34.53 seconds. 

Trainer Tony Zammit said that form deserved a crack at next week’s Brisbane Cup heats over 520 metres. 

“We will definitely have a go at the Group 1 heats next week, especially going on that run,” Zammit said.

“He would be very strong for 520 metres and if he can draw out wide, even better. That would put him right in the race on that run.

“That was a real confidence booster.”

The other feature winners on Thursday night were: The Lightning - Barty Hayze (Sandra Hunt); the Thunder – Where’s The Bar (Jemma Daley); the Chairman’s Cup – Wendy Rocks (John Dart).