By Isaac Murphy
Matt Bourke’s name has been showing up more frequently in the results column recently, and it’s no fluke.
The trainer had dabbled in dogs for years but after devoting himself to the sport full-time last year, he’s been reaping the rewards and is fresh off yet another training double at Albion Park.
Bourke’s racing journey has been a slow burn but it’s making him even more grateful for his recent success.
“I was living and working out at Ayres Rock with my wife back in 2009, I’d always had an interest in the dogs and bought one in Brisbane - that was my first introduction,” the trainer said.
“We moved up Churchable way just before the floods in 2011 and went and worked with John and Anne Farrell for 12 months which really piqued my interest.
“I was on the move with work for a little bit but thought now or never if I was going to have a proper crack at greyhound trainer and I’m glad I’m making a decent fist of it.”
To go all in, Bourke first had to have appropriate facilities to fulfill his plans and has been on the rise since settling in the heartland of Queensland greyhound racing.
“Everything has taken a turn for the better since settling into our new place at Churchable in March last year, it’s allowed me to go out and buy more dogs which I own myself and also pick up a few which I train for other owners,” Bourke said.
“I had a lot of pups coming up from the time we bought the property last year who’ve hit the track over the past few months and are doing some really nice things.
“It’s nice when you’re winning, I’ve been on the other end of it.
“As all trainers know, you have periods when a bunch are race-ready and on other occasions you have to be a bit patient and wait until their time - I think I’ve found a healthy balance of late.”
Bourke’s first order of business once settling down at home was to bolster his kennel stocks, leaving no stone unturned looking for suitable dogs.
“I looked everywhere, I got Grianne (Fernando Bale/Born Ali) from Townsville who’s a quick bitch over the shorts, Tipsy Mermaid (Cosmic Rumble/Little Nangar) - who’s won her first two 500s - comes from Dennis Barnes in New South Wales and Dustification comes from Victoria,” he said.
“I want to win races with them now but looking long term I’m hoping Dustification can become my main brood bitch being closer to the end of her career and then pass the baton on to Tipsy Mermaid.
“I own all three of them and say they’d probably be my most talented along with Sambuca Talks (Thirty Talks/Sambucca Road) who I’m going to give a look in the Ipswich Auction heats this week.”
The well-bred Sambuca Talks has only seen the track four times - all at Capalaba - but the signs are positive for his circle debut.
“I bought him at the Ipswich Auction a couple of years ago, he’s not two until April but for a Thirty Talks pup he’s come on fairly quick and those couple of early wins at Capalaba tell me he should go well if he gets the right draw,” he said.
“We gave him a trial over the 431 metres a fortnight ago and he went above and beyond my expectations and then was able to back it up with a win at Capalaba - I’m pretty optimistic about his chances.
“He’ll take a stride or two to get going which is always nervous from that start, but inside box, a little bit of luck he’ll run the trip out strong.”