Rockhampton Cup Wildcard a showcase of local talent

By Pat McLeod

Veteran Rockhampton trainer Dallas Beckett has a warning for metropolitan kennels chasing Rockhampton Cup riches - don’t underestimate the locals.

The quality of that local brigade will be on show on Wednesday night in the Rockhampton Wildcard Final over 510m.

The winner of that race proceeds directly to the $112,525 Group 3 Rockhampton Cup Final (510m) on Friday, April 28.

Beckett has a three-pronged attack on the Wildcard, but such is the quality of fellow ‘Rocky’ kennels, he says he is racing for third place at best.

“Anyone who comes up here for the Cup series will know that they have been in a race,” he warns.

“There will be a lot of hot dogs in the heats. At the moment we have dogs up here that are running really good times. Our top dogs are going down to Ipswich and Albion Park and winning.

“So, don't underestimate the locals for the Rockhampton Cup. All the top trainers here have very good dogs in their kennels. They have to because the quality up here has risen. You have to have good dogs to win local races.

“Also, local knowledge on the track is very important. I have seen some very good dogs come up here and get unstuck on this track.”

Beckett’s trio in Wednesday night’s Wildcard are Chips In (Box 4), Dad’s News (6) and Bank Heist (7).

He says all three are ‘beaming’, but unfavourable box draws and quality opponents mean each will need plenty of luck to threaten.

“The two Boody dogs, More Peaches (1) for Michael Boody, and Dixie Gambles (8), for Ken Boody, are drawn perfectly,” he said.

“They are two very good dogs. If I am being realistic I think that at best I am racing for third … if I am lucky.”

Of the two local trumps, Becket believes Dixie Gambles (37: 20-5-5 for $70,790) will have the edge over her extremely promising, unbeaten young opponent, More Peaches (5: 5-0-0 for $14,560).

“I think experience will tell and Dixie Gambles is a more mature dog,” he said.

“There is no doubt More Peaches is a very good dog, but I think if Dixie Gambles comes across as I predict she will and is up racing outside of More Peaches, then Dixie Gambles wins.”

Beckett has been racing at the Rockhampton track since the late 1990s.

He has tasted plenty of success, including training ‘about five’ Rockhampton Greyhounds of the Year.

He has also been club president, as well as a prominent owner, including Go Princess who won the local cup in 2006.

“It was worth $5,000 to the winner back then. This year it is $75,000 to the winner,” Beckett said.

“So, you can understand why there is plenty of outside interest.

“But in saying that, there has always been interest from the major kennels in the Rockhampton Cup.

"The Tony Bretts, Tom Tzouvelises and plenty of other big names have come here on a regular basis.

“With the increased prize money and the million dollars spent on infrastructure upgrades last year, there is even more interest.

“The Wildcard ensures that a local will be represented in the Cup. Those that miss out then will have another chance in the cup heats (Friday, April 21), when I expect we will have as many as six heats.

“That’s when the big names will show up, but as I said, they will know they have been in a race.”