Unsee This returns for shot at Brisbane Cup

By Alex Nolan

Western Australian trainer Shayne Williams hopes to continue a good run for the ‘Sandgropers’ at Albion Park on Thursday when Unsee This returns to Brisbane for a heat of the Group 1 Sky Racing Brisbane Cup.

Unsee This raised eyebrows during the summer when he recorded a 29.81 second trial at his first look over 520 metres at ‘The Creek’ before coming out to win a heat of the derby in 29.77 seconds the following week.

He would go on to place third in the Derby, won by Just A Sort, before finishing third in a heat of the Golden Ticket.

Williams was unable to journey to Brisbane for the summer due to Western Australia’s COVID-19 border protocols.

However, he has set up camp at the Park Ridge kennel of Jedda Cutlack this time around to oversee Unsee This and kennel mate Rippin’ Tomahawk’s preparations.

Panama Pepper, Eagle Monelli and We The People are some of the more recent WA chasers that have been successful at Albion Park. 

The likes of Fearghal Monelli, Declan Monelli and Paddy Monelli all started their careers with David Hobby in WA before enjoying some success with the Tony Apap kennel. 

“I always had it in my mind to bring Unsee This back for a race like the Brisbane Cup and I’ve been buoyed by the way WA dogs are racing over here,” Williams said.

“The other bloke Rippin' Tomahawk is probably not up to these dogs but I wanted to give him a trip away because I’ve got the Adelaide Cup in mind for him.”

Unsee This is set to exit box four in heat three of the Brisbane Cup, which comes up as race seven on the star-studded 12-race program at Albion Park.

There he’ll meet the likes of his Derby nemesis, Just A Sort (Box 1), Good Odds Emma (Box 3) and Cutlack’s last start winner Showdown (Box 6).

Williams said although Unsee This had become an inconsistent beginner, he believes the middle draw will do his chances no harm.

“He’s jumping out of his skin,” Williams said.

“He didn’t handle the humidity last time he was here, but it’s a lot cooler this time.

“Box four is probably a good box for him as he has a terrific record from even boxes.

“He’s had three starts for two wins and a second from the draw.

“There are heaps of good dogs in it but it all depends what he does at the start.”

Rippin’ Tomahawk lines up from box seven in the opening heat and will face the likes of Black Comanche (Box 1), Impress Shades (Box 2) and last start Group 3 Super Sprinters winner Equalizer (Box 4).

Away from training, Williams is a co-host on the ‘Big 3 Podcast’ with fellow greyhound men David Shortte and Harry Buchanan.

The trio preview racing in the "West" each weekend and offer up their ‘best bets’ at the end of each episode, while keeping track of their results.

“I’m marching so far ahead of the band I can’t hear the music,” Williams laughed.