Tequila Talking takes the Thursday night stage

By Isaac Murphy

Thursday night greyhound pundits are treated to a smorgasbord of the best sprint, middle-distance and staying races, but this week the 395-metre short course dogs get to strut their stuff in a rare Free For All Final.

Tequila Talking takes on three Sandra Hunt chasers, three Travis Elson starters and one of Cyndie Elson’s dogs, but trainer Michael Brauer is not deterred even if the odds are stacked against him.

“You dream about having a ready-made Thursday night greyhound, but the reality is the majority of dogs and trainers race over the short course, and I think Thursday night is a fantastic opportunity to showcase the fastest 395-metre dogs for city class prizemoney ($8,925),” Brauer said.

“I understand the importance of 500-metre racing; the spectacle is top notch, but if there was a Free For All over the shorts every Thursday, I’m sure it’d draw plenty of interest.

“Having so many races over that distance to be considered and qualify for a race like this is a big deal and something I’m rapt to have the dog apart of.”

Box draws are arguably more crucial over less ground and Brauer was relieved to see his luck turn, coming up with the checks this week.

“He’s been a bit unlucky with his draws of late, he was really brave running on when checked at the start from box seven last time out - he always runs home strong,” he said.

“I was really pleased to see him come up with box two this week; he’s not the quickest out of the lids, he takes a few strides to get going but once he does, he can really accelerate - we just need a little opening on the rail.

“It’s strange to say he usually is outpaced a little bit in the first half of his 395-metre races, but just like other distances you have your strengths and weaknesses and if he can be there at the halfway point, he’s right in it.”

All eight dogs have earnt their Free For All status, and Tequila Talking is well-versed racing against top competition, but that doesn’t make it any easier.

“There’s three of Sandra’s dogs in the race, three of Trav’s, one of Cyndie and Bill’s, and my boy; it’s a bit of back to the wall type stuff but I think that makes it more special,” he said.

“Coming up against those bigger kennels is tough work, they breed litters that are out and out short course dogs and always have plenty of numbers coming through - they’re tough to beat.

“In saying that, Tequila Talking is in the race for a reason; he knows what it’s like to lose to those dogs and beat them too, I’d love him to take a few scalps on the big stage.”

A career of 36 starts, seven wins, and 14 minors makes it a  nice record the dog has built and Brauer is confident the best is yet to come.

“He’s probably right in the sweet spot of his career; we started him off as a 500-metre dog and he just didn’t quite get it, he’s been over the 395 for some time now and has the smarts and the talent to be really effective,” he said.

“As happens with a lot of dogs that get some more starts and age of their side, he’s continually getting stronger and while not immediately, I think at some stage he’ll make it as a 500-metre dog.

“He’s won his Maiden and Novice over the 500, so he still has all of his grades up his sleeve and plenty of time at two-and-a-half.”

Tequila Talking is a direct product of Brauer’s Hostile and Sivamet line, with the dam doing some nice things with her first litter.

“We identified Sivamet as a pup we could race and then go to the breeding barn with, so we bought her up from Sydney and she had a really nice career,” he said.

“Four Thursday night wins and she won over the 395, 520 and 600 metres which was a massive tick.

“Tequila Talking and Crimson War are the two that stand out of the litter, but five of the seven have won multiple races or more - it’s been a real success.

“This dog racing tomorrow night has had the best run injury wise, I think the more starts we get in them the better they’re going to go.”