Star sisters nearing return to racing

By Alex Nolan

Trainer Graham Hall says Queensland Greyhound of the Year Spotted Elk remains on track to return to racing during the upcoming winter carnival.

After being given the green light to resume training following a stress fracture picked up at The Meadows in February, the inaugural Queensland Flame winner pleased her trainer in a post-to-post trial on Tuesday.

“She’s still a couple of weeks away from resuming but her preparation has been good,” Hall said.

Meanwhile, litter sister and fellow greyhound of the year nominee Extra Malt has almost fully recovered from a toe injury that has kept her sidelined since her latest win at Ipswich on April 28.

Trained by Leanne Hall, who is Graham's wife, Extra Malt has taken all before her at Ipswich since returning from a Victorian trip on March 10, winning five on the bounce including the Ipswich 40^th Anniversary Trophy.

“We’ll put her around in a trial on Monday night with a bit of luck and hopefully she’ll be right to race next Thursday,” Graham said.

The Halls will be represented by one runner at Albion Park on Thursday when Cosmic Boom lines up in heat two of the Group 3 Brisbane Young Guns – race four on the card – from the inside draw.

The speedy son of Cosmic Rumble – and litter brother to heat three contestant Street Smart – arrives at the series after an impressive win over 431 metres last start at Ipswich.

Formerly prepared by New South Wales trainer Sarah Easey, Cosmic Boom will be lining up for his fourth start in Queensland.

Cosmic Boom looked to have his Queensland debut shot to bits at Ipswich on April 4, setting up a commanding lead before cramping up in the home straight.

After missing the kick slightly at his second start, Cosmic Boom mustered quickly to hit the lead but cost himself all chance of winning after veering off the track going past the 431 metre boxes.

“He’s an unusual dog and we’re still trying to work him out,” Hall said.

“He’s normally fairly quick early so box one should suit.”

TAB have rated Cosmic Boom a $7 chance in fixed odds betting.

The James Gallaway-trained Little Zephyr will start from box eight and has come up as the $2.40 favourite, while recent Rockhampton Cup winner Dulceria will look to make it four wins on the bounce as a $3.20 chance from box six.

Elsewhere in the greyhound world, the Joshua Priest-trained Samona will line up in a fifth grade event at The Meadows after missing a run in the Group 1 Sapphire Crown Final as first emergency.  

Samona will exit box two in race ten at The Meadows, with last year’s Group 1 Sky Racing Brisbane Cup winner Equalizer drawn to her inside.

Equalizer is expected to head north and join the Tony Brett kennel shortly as he looks to go back-to-back in Queensland’s most prestigious Group 1.