Postman Pat making headlines around the globe

By Jordan Gerrans

Brisbane Cup favourite Postman Pat is all the rage in greyhound circles in Australia and New Zealand.

Undefeated in half a dozen race starts in Australia, the son of Hooked On Scotch surged to the head of the market for the $1 million Group 1 feature at Albion Park with a sizzling first look at the track last Thursday.

And, while the 29.39 second run around Albion Park has tongues wagging locally, it is even stretching to other continents.

Postman Pat is raced by the Christchurch-based Josè and Donald Arthur, who are in Africa for a lengthy period of time.

Despite being in a completely different part of the world, the Arthurs are keeping a close eye on their star chaser from Namibia.

“We have Wi-Fi access and we have been able to watch the replays,” Josè said.

“We think it’s exciting to see others enjoying his exploits on the track.
“It is a huge thrill for the team in New Zealand who knew he was something special.”

The Arthurs are long-time industry figures across the ditch.

Postman Pat did his early racing in NZ with conditioner Anthony Hart before transferring to the Jason Thompson kennel in Victoria and is now being looked after by leading Brisbane dog man Tony Brett for the winter of 2023.

The Arthurs have raced a number of very good dogs in New Zealand, who were initially trained by Ray Adcock.

After Adcock passed away, Hart took over the training duties for the family.

Adcock’s influence led them to landing their kennel star – Postman Pat.

Postman Pat is from a Hooked On Scotch and Birdie Tee litter.

The Arthurs raced Birdie Tee for 17 victories from 60 starts before she retired in late 2018.

“Ray’s advice to us was to use the sire Hooked on Scotch over our best bitches,” Josè said.

“Ray’s advice on breeding has resulted in a number of very good dogs.

“Anthony Hart and the kennel staff in New Zealand could see he was something very special before he started racing.”

Postman Pat is the early $3.50 favourite for the upcoming Brisbane Cup and faces a heat for the race on Thursday evening.

The exciting dog has drawn the eight alley in the fourth heat of the program.

Postman Pat is in rare air when it comes to the Albion Park track.

Queensland star Jay Is Jay at 29.35 seconds and his sire Sennachie at 29.38 seconds are the only two dogs to go around the 520 metre surface in a faster time.  

Champion trainer Brett was full of praise of Postman Pat following his Brisbane Cup prelude run last week.

“He is the fastest dog that I have ever handled around here so I am quite humbled by it,” Brett said post-race.

“Poetry in motion. It is good to watch fast dogs run. I am in awe of this dog, when you see times like that go up at this time of the year. You knew something was on when he came out under the lids.

“That is the important bit. For the next couple of weeks there are not too many that can lead him if he is doing that, so that is just what he has to keep reproducing.”

Despite being a continent away, the Arthurs are loving their ride.

“Postman Pat is obviously thriving in his new kennel in Australia. It was an unbelievable run,” Josè said of the performance last week. 

“We leave all the decision making up to Jason Thompson the trainer.
“We wanted to see if he could foot it with the very best in Australia.”

Postman Pat is the $1.40 favourite to claim his heat on Thursday evening.

A total of seven heats for the Brisbane Cup will be held on Thursday evening as well as five heats for the staying Queensland Cup, which will also be raced at Group 1 level.