Essery eager to go one better in Country Cup Final

By Isaac Murphy

The Country Cup Final has become a staple for regional trainers over the past few years.

The best dogs from Bundaberg, Rockhampton and Townsville must prove themselves on their home track before travelling to the big smoke for a final in conjunction with the Group 1 Gold Bullion and Listed Gold Cup this Thursday.

Townsville trainer Rhonda Essery is engaged in the series for a second year running and thinks chaser Stratford has what it takes to win it all after a massive effort to qualify at home.

“His run to qualify at Townsville was a belter, four-wide down the back and checked off heels and he just wanted to win, I really think the 520 metres will suit him at Albion Park,” she said.

“Peter O’Reilly who is taking care of him down in Brisbane for me gave him a post-to-post at Albion Park last week to give him a look at the place, I think he went 24.18 which had him on the phone to me singing his praises.

“He hasn’t raced since that qualifying win and knowing him, box manners are going to be crucial on Thursday.

“We thought why not give him a top up run-on Monday night and he was exceptional behind the smart Louis Rumble - it’s been a faultless lead in.”

The race puts the country-trained dogs on the industry’s main stage and Essery is hungry for the ultimate success after a taste last year.

“It’s a race we really covet with some personal history having Naturally Gifted run second last year; Elegant Eleanor was a real standout in that race, it looks a far more even contest this time around,” she said.

“To come out of the Townsville qualifying was some sort of effort, the quality of racing is just getting better and better up here - it was no walk over to make it this far.

“You have dogs like Major Gibson for Brad Belford who’s missing out, it speaks to Stratford’s class and you need a dog like him to win in top company at home now.”

Stratford has built a formidable record at home over both short course distances, but Essery thinks he’s crying out for more ground and is well suited in the Final.

“He’s a really versatile chaser; I like him over the 498 metres, but he can bounce from the 380 when there’s not a race for him as well,” she said.

“He can be a bit tardy away but as you saw with his last start win, he can adapt mid-race and hits the line with some force - I’m really keen to see him do it over the 520 metres.

“He’ll make box four work for him in the Final, the speed is all drawn to his inside with Nerve Settler and Sprightly Bro, I’ll be hoping he drops in behind them early and hopefully run over the top of them.”

Sky Racing’s full-time Rockhampton caller Liam Mulry will be taking the microphone to call the Country Cup Final after Bundaberg caller Jarrod Wessell started the tradition last year, and he’s rapt to be a part of the concept.

“It’s been a great initiative and really well received since it kicked off a few years ago now, the bringing together of greyhounds from Bundaberg, Rockhampton and Townsville makes for great viewing and it’ll be an honour to call it,” he said.

“I think it complements the Gold Bullion and Gold Cup perfectly on a huge night of racing, there’s sure to be a big crowd made up of plenty of owners coming down for the Country Cup.

“It’s a unique race trying to line up the form from the different regions, some dogs have seen the tracks and other haven’t - you really don’t know who’s going to come through on the night.”

Covering the series closely, there’s no better man to ask for a form guide on the race than Mulry, and he’s got his eye on two runners.

“Taking a look at the field there are four of five dogs who could be vying for the lead early, if there’s trouble you have a look at a dog like Are Jay Lochie who should stay clear from box eight and finish with a flourish,” the caller said.

“Sprightly Bro is another who’ll go back early from the two and charge home given the opportunity if a rails run opens.

“To me those are the best boxed dogs in the race and in a contest where there’s probably not much between them, that could make the difference.”

In past years, dogs out of the series stay on in Brisbane and find plenty of success, something Essery is not ruling out when the time’s right.

“If he goes well on Thursday, I’ll be giving some serious thought to sending him down to Brisbane for a prolonged period at some point, he’s got a few goals to check off at home first though,” she said.

“When he first won over 498 metres, a few people were joking with me saying he’s your next Townsville Cup dog - they’re not joking anymore, he could genuinely win it.

“We’ll get all the best Brisbane dogs up here at Cup time, hopefully he’s healthy and can give a forward showing.”

Essery wasn’t going to miss being on track on the night, but it wasn’t without sacrifice at home.

“I’m lucky enough to be coming down to see him race, my husband Steve is looking after the team up at home and will take a small team to the races Friday - I couldn’t do it without him,” she said.

“One of my closest friends Sharon Burnett has been battling illness and to take her mind off it we’ve got her involved in the dogs, she’s coming down with me and it’s just fantastic to see her light up every time he does well.

“They’re amazing things greyhounds, they can bring a smile to your face at the drop of a hat, it’s pretty special.”