Cooke kennel with big Golden Sands plans

By Jordan Gerrans

Experienced trainer Robert Cooke has dual Group 2 Golden Sands plans with his kennel: one dog he has bred himself and another that is brand new to his team.

Cash View was a smart winner last Thursday evening at Brisbane Greyhound Racing Club – and now heads towards the Group 2 Golden Sands – as will emerging star McCooly's Lad.

From the Rowsley kennel of top trainer Anthony Azzopardi, who has trained over 100 winners this season, McCooly's Lad will later this week arrive at Woodview with Cooke and be aimed towards the 2021-22 TAB Golden Greys Summer Carnival.

The Fernando Bale youngster is Group 3-placed earlier this year, on top of winning 10 of his 18 career races.

McCooly's Lad has set many a Victorian track alight over the last year, running some very speedy times, with Cooke interested to see what he can do in the Sunshine State and in Northern NSW.

Cooke is keen to see how Cash View, the Group 2 Lismore Cup winner earlier this year, steps up in the Golden Sands, especially against the gun newcomer to his kennel.

“I will have to beat the other dog I will have here, that will be the only problem,” Cooke said with a laugh about Cash View's chances in the Group 2 event. 

“McCooly's Lad, I am picking him up on Friday and he will be in my kennel then.

“I will give him a trial on Sunday just a box to box and he will head to the Golden Sands as well.

“He is a hot dog.”

From a Raw Ability and Cashpot litter, Cash View thrived in his first step up in distance last Thursday evening, getting home in 34.96 seconds over 600 metres.

A regular at 520 metres through his young career, Cash View was yet to step up to the 600-metre journey before last week but the team behind him were over the moon with the way he performed despite the dog getting to the front a little earlier than they thought he would have.

The 12-time career winner put the race to bed after the catching pens as he snuck six lengths in front.

He got a little tired on the line but they expect him to be better for the experience over the coming weeks.

“I was really happy with him seeing as I have never trialled him over 600 metres before that, we just put him straight in it,” Cooke said.

“For a first go, I was happy with that.

“I always thought he would run on, that is what he does.

“Hopefully he can run on a bit further.”

The blue dog is on a path towards the Group 2 Golden Sands which has an upgrade in prize money this year, up to $113,000 from $60,000 the year before.

Firstly he looks towards Thursday’s TAB Middle Distance Challenge Final at Albion Park before the Golden Sands heats post-Christmas.

He will carry the yellow rug on Thursday night, which the trainer believes will help to add to his one victory at the distance this month.

“He does not come out very good anyway so he is best drawn wide so he can get where he wants to be,” Cooke said.

“I do not like him getting drawn on the inside as he can get crowded in there.

“If he draws wide, he can find a good spot.”

All going well from Thursday night’s run in the TAB Middle Distance Challenge Final, Cash View will press on through the Queensland summer.

The owner and trainer, Cooke, only prepares a small team of dogs at his kennel south of the border near Casino.

Cooke is not into the business of buying and selling greyhounds but takes great pride in being self sufficient breeding and owning his own greyhounds.

The Golden Greys picks up speed in the New Year with the Group 2 Golden Sands before the running of the Group 3 Golden Ticket.

Click here to see the full program for the 2021-22 TAB Golden Greys Summer Carnival.