Surprised trainer Hunt ready for second shock in a week

By Jordan Gerrans

Trainer Sandra Hunt might just surprise herself two times in a week in heats of the Queensland Championships.

The Atkinsons Dam-based conditioner of dogs gave Feel The Beat little hope in his heat of the Queensland Sprint Championship at Albion Park on Thursday.

The son of Aston Dee Bee was having none of that and won in the sharpest time of his career around the 520 metre circuit, 29.95 seconds.

And, with the Queensland Straight Track Championship heats on Sunday at Capalaba, the former winner of the Brisbane Leading Trainer trophy believes kennel mate Selwood Hayze is likely to be outclassed.

Just like Feel The Beat, Selwood Hayze may just shock the veteran trainer.

Black dog Feel The Beat claimed the second of two heats on Thursday night at headquarters, with the first heat finishing in a dead-heat between Impact and He’s So Cool.

The market backed up Hunt’s thoughts – Feel The Beat started as a $10 shot – but he ran out of his skin to put in a career best effort.

Feel The Beat got up on the rail, not long after the winning post the first time, and was not headed again to score by almost two lengths.

As Hunt details, she knows he is a good dog, she was just unsure if he was up to the Group and Listed level of greyhound’s in the field.

“I was quite shocked and very surprised actually,” Hunt said of his heat win.

“I thought he was just making up the field, if I am being honest, as he is a handy dog but he was one of – if not the only dog – in that field who had not broken 30 seconds.

“All the rest were 29.80 dogs and he was yet to break 30 seconds, so I did not go in with much confidence.

“But, he is a very determined dog and luck went our way.

“He is no champion but he is a handy dog to have, he always gives his full effort.”

Hunt has had the 17-time career winner for around half a year after he was previously trained by Lyndall Brand.

Hunt would love a kennel full of greyhounds like Feel The Beat, he might not be a Group level dog but he pays his way and is ultra-consistent.

Feel The Beat has been handed the two alley for the Final – the same draw he won from in the heats.

With one Queensland Championship heat won already, the Hunt kennel goes in search of another along the grass of Capalaba on Sunday.

Selwood Hayze has claimed three of his last four trips to Capalaba and jumps from the green alley in the first of the two heats.

The fields for Sunday’s heat includes top Capalaba dogs such as Milligan and Ninetymile King, who come directly from last week’s Listed Straight Of Origin decider at the track.

Tony Brett’s Milligan jumps from the red in Selwood Hayze’s heat.

With a big team of dogs set to also race at Albion Park on Sunday, Selwood Hayze will be taken to the southern Brisbane track by Hunt’s neighbour, Warren Nicholls.

The trainer of Queensland’s Origin greyhound series hero Days of Thunder – Nicholls – lives on the same street as Hunt and the pair will often help each other out on race days.

Nicholls has three starters on Sunday, as well.

Another son of Aston Dee Bee - Selwood Hayze – has won five times at Capalaba but his trainer thinks he faces a tough ask this time around.

“He has the ability but he is up against the open class dogs this week,” Hunt said.

“It is the last little bit that sees him out, they ran over the top of him in the race for the Straight of Origin heat recently.”

Selwood Hayze started his career at Albion Park and Ipswich and was likely to get back there in the future.

“He is improving his manners as around the circle he was missing the kick,” she said.

“I thought going to Capalaba may help him and make him a bit stronger as he was not running out the 520 metres strongly, when I tried him.”

The winner of the Sunshine State Sprint Final will progress through to the National's decider later this month at Wentworth Park, with first place worth $75,000. 

The winner of the Queensland Straight Final goes to the National's Final later this month at Richmond, with first place worth $25,000.