Hobby trainer hopes Bundy ‘love affair’ continues in QGOLD Final

By Pat McLeod

Hobby trainer Allan Thrower is hoping Alpha Humbug continues her love affair with the Bundaberg track in Monday’s QGOLD Final (531m).

Of her 35 starts to date, her five wins have been at the Queensland regional grass track, including in last week’s QGOLD heat.

She has raced nine times at Bundy, with her other starts at south-east Queensland tracks.

“There is no doubt she loves it up here,” the veteran trainer said. “It seems to bring out the best in her. I am not sure whether it is the grass track, or what.

"But I believe she is a better dog than her overall record shows.”

Thrower, who has a 40-year background in the greyhound industry, including five years as manager of the Darwin track, has just a two-dog kennel these days.

He says the QGOLD concept, for Queensland-bred dogs only, is a ‘good incentive’ for all sections of the industry.

“I have bred a few litters over the years and the QGLOD is certainly a positive. The extra prizemoney is good, but it is more than that. It puts a focus on what is a very important aspect of the industry.”

Monday’s final is worth an overall $15,400 in prizemoney.

Thrower is confident of taking home a major slice of that, despite drawing wider than preferred, in the eight box.

“If she is able to get on the bunny, than she is a real chance,” he said. “I have no doubt she has a 30.20 in her on this track. But we will see.”

Thrower says a major reason for Alpha Humbug’s success at Bundy is the personalised treatment she gets when sent north by owner Chris Georgiou.

“My wife Pam and I treat our dogs just like pets,” he said.

“They get to lounge on our day bed during the day and their exercise routine includes chasing a ball.

“In fact Alpha Humbug basically trains herself. She goes out and does laps of the back yard … but it seems to work.”

Racing Queensland’s Greyhound Operations Manager Doug Lutherborrow said the QGOLD concept had been an extremely popular addition to the racing calendar since it first appeared as a major feature race night in December last year at Albion Park as part of the Golden Greys Summer Carnival.

Plans are to stage four QGOLD meetings a year at each of the state’s regional tracks.

“All the country QGOLD races will be open class with the Ipswich races all 5th grade,” he said.

“There will be another QGOLD feature night at Albion Park on May 25 as part of the Winter Carnival, with nine QGOLD races then.

“The feedback so far has been really good. The participants appear to love it. It is a new concept and the nominations have been really strong.

“The aim is to not rely on interstate breeding to supply a major portion of our product. We are better off if we can breed our own and rehome our own.

“We want a breeding program that sustains our industry. A few years ago we did get down to as low as 55 per cent of our starters being Queensland bred. Now it is heading back over 60 per cent and that is where we would like to keep it.

“We have bred about 1500 pups over the last couple of years. So, we are certainly heading in the right direction.”