Postman ready to deliver at Albion Park

By Jordan Gerrans

The Queensland Winter Greyhound Racing Carnival gets their first taste of the much-hyped Kiwi chaser Postman Pat on Thursday evening.

The New Zealand import is one of the most talked about prospects in the greyhound game and has set several tracks alight since arriving in Australia.

Since joining the leading Jason Thompson kennel in Victoria in the middle of May this year, Postman Pat has put five in a line with a Sunshine State campaign for the 2023 Brisbane Cup long mooted.

The Jose Arthur-owned dog got his first look at Albion Park as he ran a sharp 22.26 seconds in a 395-metre trial at Albion Park on Sunday night.

He will line up in a Listed prelude for the Brisbane Cup on Thursday evening.

Like many of Thompson’s top dogs, Postman Pat will be looked after by champion Brisbane dog man Tony Brett during his northern campaign.

From a Hooked On Scotch and Birdie Tee litter, Postman Pat has won 15 of his 19 career starts across Australia and New Zealand.

“He is very exciting and undefeated since coming to Australia from New Zealand,” Brett said.

“He is not far off running track records in his 450-metre runs down there in Victoria with Jason. He looks a really exciting dog.”

Speaking at the launch of the carnival earlier this year at Suncorp Stadium, Brett was full of excitement around landing Postman Pat in his kennel for the winter months.

“I think he will be able to settle in with me,” he said.

The black dog has drawn the three alley in his maiden race day experience in the Sunshine State ahead of the Brisbane Cup series.

The Brett kennel will welcome another newcomer to their team on Thursday night with star Sandgroper Elite Machine also in town for a Group 1 Brisbane Cup campaign.

Prepared by Jamie Marsh in Western Australia, Elite Machine has been handed the inside draw in another prelude for the Cup, which comes up as race four on the program.

Elite Machine recorded an all-the-way victory in the Group 1 Perth Cup over 520 metres earlier this year.

The dog travelled to Victoria in May for one run before returning to Perth for four starts.

“He was unlucky at Sandown in the Harrison Dawson but he has since gone back to Perth and won again,” Brett said.

“He will stay for the heats of the big one following the preludes.

“They are coming from everywhere, the best of the best will be here in Queensland and if you want to see some good dogs race – then this is the only place to be.”

The prestigious Brisbane Cup will be raced for a staggering $1 million in total prize money this year.

The Brisbane Greyhound Racing Club will also host the $107,825 Group 3 Superstayers Invitational over 710 metres on Thursday night at Albion Park.