Elson prioritises Thursday night potential

By Isaac Murphy

Hope’s King was shot out of a gun when flirting with the 395-metre track record last start for Travis Elson.

However, rather than chase Canya Cruise’s 22.23 mark, the trainer is dreaming of Thursday night success with the chaser getting every chance from a plumb draw this Thursday evening.

Elson was planning to have the dog race in easier company on Monday until the card was abandoned, but it’s been a long journey getting the son of Lauryn’s Best to this point, and the trainer is not shying away from a tougher race.

“I always thought he’d be a good 500-metre dog, but last time I got him there he broke his metacarpal and was off for seven months, so it’s been very tedious getting back to this point,” Elson said.

“It was a shame Monday was called off, he’d drawn the red there in a much more suitable race.

“I would have preferred to ease him back in, but we came up with the red again and on Thursday and we’ll see if he’s up to the grade.

“I really had him topped up ready to go and I just hope that carries over, because the straight track’s underwater at home and he’ll be going in a bit fresh on Thursday night.”

The dog landed five lengths in front at his last victory and Elson is confident he can bring the same box manners to a different set of boxes.

“I think he can and needs to go quicker than the time he’s run to the first mark, he’s one of those dogs who has a tremendous turn of speed, so we’ll be hoping to be a few in front going down the back,” he said.

“The worry is if he doesn’t get it right, he could be a bit of a sitting duck for some of the more tried and tested 500-metre dogs but he’ll make them work.

“He’s a dog that’s run four hundredths outside the 395-metre track record last start (22.27), if he brings those first two sectionals even if he gets tired, he’ll take beating.”

Elson anticipates getting a clean run through from the red, and win or lose, Hope’s King should be ready to go for his next assignment.

“He’s won from just about every box with his ability to muster but getting into Fifth Grade Thursday night company, he probably needs the one to drive through and hold the front- he won’t leave the rail,” he said.

“We’ll wait to see whether that’s good enough to win this week, but it should be an ideal lead into the Easter Trophy heats the following week.

“I like that the club puts these type races on for Fifth Grade dogs, there’s plenty of good ones going around and it’s going to be a tough series, but it’s one I’ve pinched in the past with Nan’s Magic and the prize money’s excellent.”

Elson could do no wrong at Albion Park for much of last year, with some special litters racking up the wins for the trainer, but it wasn’t without its headaches either as he searches for his next Thursday night star.

“It’s been an interesting year for me, I had a whole lot of gun pups come through at the same time who went through their grades very quickly which was great, but they found themselves in top company a bit too soon,” he said.

“They’ve had enough races now that they’re winning in that grade and I’ve enjoyed a few good months with plenty of winners on Wednesdays and Sundays, but I’ve got about five ready to step up to Thursday grade which I’m really looking forward to.

“Mumma’s Machine, All Aces, Summer’s Queen, Limited Edition and Hope’s King; they’re all dogs who’ve seen the trip before and come back stronger than ever this time around.”

Elson has history with one of Queensland’s strongest 500-metre bitches Silver Stunner, who won the 2019 Queensland Sprint Championship, it was the highlight of his career and he hopes to recapture the feeling.

“Short course racing is crucial to our industry, but there’s nothing like having a good 500-metre chance to turn up on a Thursday with,” he said.

“I was very fortunate with Silver Stunner and Nan’s Magic, then in more recent times Limited Edition - racing the best gives you a real thrill.

“With five stepping back up they probably won’t all make it, but to have a handful of rising three-year-olds ready to go is what you train for.”