Early speed and red box give Bear’s Bullet a sneak peek at Group 1 glory

By Pat McLeod

Sunshine Coast trainer Travis Elson thought nothing could top Hello Mike’s Group 1 Gold Bullion win at Albion Park in February.

Then along came surprise packet Bear’s Bullet.

The diminutive bitch will line up against some of the giants of Australasian greyhound racing in Queensland’s first million-dollar race, the Group 1 Brisbane Cup Final at ‘The Creek’ on Friday night.

The 42-year-old Elson achieved his training dream when Hello Mike saluted.

It was a wonderful, emotional night, his first Group 1 win and in the crowd were his parents, Queensland greyhound heavyweights Cyndie and Bill Elson.

Cyndie owns Hello Mike and Bill, Elson’s mentor, is waging a no-win battle with dementia.

“I do reflect back on the win in February. It was an amazing night,” Elson said this week as he prepares for another dream result.

“The whole week leading into that race was incredible.

“What made it so amazing was the fact that I knew that I was a big chance of winning that race. But, I don't really have that feeling for this race.

“I am certainly over the moon that I am in the Final, but I am more realistic in knowing that it would be a big stretch for Bear’s Bullet to win this race with the calibre of dogs that are in it.

“Also, take into consideration the fact that she is only 27 months old. She is only a baby.

“Where I get excited is the fact that she has early speed and she has the red box.”

That fact is certainly not overlooked in 'punters land' with Bear’s Bullet mid-range at $8 with New Zealand sensation Postman Pat the rage at $1.85.

“The excitement that I have for Bear’s Bullet in this race is that I know she has got a lot of early speed,” Travis said.

“Box speed is her key. She is normally up and leading in a lot of her races.

“When you are in a race like this with so much money on offer, well if you are up in front and there is trouble behind, you never know what might happen.

“They don't always run 29.5 seconds in Finals.

“If (race favourites) Postman Pat and Amron Boy were drawn two and three outside of me I probably would have said my chances are gone from the get-go.

“If the rest get a clear run she cannot win.”

Up until just a few weeks ago Elson’s Brisbane Cup focus was completely on Hello Mike achieving a Group 1 double. But, that is not how the cards have fallen.

“If you had asked me four or five weeks ago if I was going to put Bear’s Bullet in the Brisbane Cup I would have said, ‘I don't know’,” he said.

“I had actually started to make plans to take her to Sydney for some age restricted races. I was thinking Hello Mike for the Cup up here and maybe take her down there.

“But, she went so well in the (Brisbane Cup) prelude, when beaten by Kelsey Bale. She ran 29.79 seconds. So, the plans changed and I set her for the Brisbane Cup.”

Elson emphasises that Bear’s Bullet’s strengths are not only her start, but also her tenacity.

“She won't give it up and will be hungry for the rail and will give 100 per cent in all her races,” he says.

“If you look back through all her races she has led most of the time, but she has been run down a lot of times and that is her weakness. She is not strong overall.

“She is strong to a degree, but when you are talking Group races she's not strong.

“She is little, only 25 kgs, but all she wants to do when she gets to the track is pull to get out to the track. She is just so keen to race.

“She just wants to get out there and get the job done. At the track she is all business.

“The reality is, prize money through to fourth place is really good. So, running fourth ($40,000) would be like winning a very decent race.”

At box-rise, 8:42pm on Friday night, Travis’ eyes, and those of the greyhound racing world, will undoubtedly shift to the outside box and to the exit path of the exciting Postman Pat.

The New Zealand-bred and Jason-Thompson-trained speedster has only added to his aura during his short stint with care-taker trainer, Queensland maestro Tony Brett.

The Hooked On Scotch - Birdie Tee chaser has captivated the sport over just 21 starts for 17 wins and three seconds. In his two starts at Albion Park he has clocked 29.39 seconds (the third fastest run ever at the track) and 29.53 seconds. 

Elson may be in an opposition camp, but is part of ‘The Postman’s’ fan club.

“Fast dogs always catch your eye. They are exciting to watch,” he said.

“Postman Pat is one such dog. I was there racing dogs at Albion Park on the Sunday when he first trialed there in a very fast time.

“I immediately thought: ‘Wow. Hello Mike really has his work cut out for him’. I wasn't even putting Bear’s Bullet in that frame at that stage."

He believes Postman Pat deserves all the wraps that he is getting.

“The scary thing is I don't think he has any chink in his armour and he has only raced twice at the track, so may go faster," the trainer said. 

“I suppose a possible chink was shown last week when he didn't start really well, but was still good enough to get around them and still had a fast first section (5.47 seconds).

“But, there are other very good and experienced dogs in the race. Amron Boy (winner of two Group 1 races) has been in a lot of big races and so has WA’s Crumble Monelli.

“These dogs have won a lot of prize money and you don't fluke winning a lot of prize money.”

On Friday night Elson’s wife Hope and their three children will join him track side, as will his father Bill and brother, fellow trainer Warren Elson.

“Dad wants to come and he is excited,” Travis said.

“Health-wise, Dad is OK. He has gone a little bit backwards since the win in February, which is only expected with what he has got.

“My brother will bring him on Friday night, which will be good. Mum's not coming. She's not big on going out. She came for the Gold Bullion because I thought Hello Mike was a big chance and I wanted her there.

“I am very excited about Friday because we have got a good team represented across the whole night.

“There is Bear’s Bullet in the main race and Hello Mike in the consolation (out of box two). And, I also have a nice little pup that I train for mum that has had four starts for three wins, Comical Bill (in the Mick Byrne Memorial Final 520 over metres).

“To be honest, I haven't got my hopes up one little bit in the Group 1 race because I don't have the calibre of dog like Hello Mike in that race.

“The prize money is exceptionally good and even if you were 100-1 you would still be excited to be in the race because of the prize money.

“The prize money for this race is the size of a lottery win and what chance are you of winning the lottery? Millions to one.”