Longtime mates chasing Brisbane Cup glory

By Jordan Gerrans

A two decade-long friendship between mates that live on separate sides of the country could culminate in claiming Queensland’s first $1 million greyhound race on Friday night.

Gatton trainer Tony Apap and visiting Perth dog man David Hobby go back around 20 years.

They have sent each other dogs to train as well as staying at each other’s places when they have campaigned interstate in years gone by.

Hobby initially stayed with the Apap clan when he came to Queensland 20 years ago for the Nationals while the Queensland trainer housed Wag Tail with Hobby in Perth back in 2014.

Hobby was in town almost seven years ago as well for a Brisbane Cup tilt. 

The champion WA conditioner has been in the Sunshine State for around seven weeks, first coming over for the Flying Amy Classic series and staying on for Friday’s Brisbane Cup.

He has Crumble Monelli in the 520 metre feature on Friday evening.

And, his old mate Apap has helped guide the star dog towards the richest greyhound race in Queensland’s history.

“David has been a good friend of ours for a long, long time and it is good to see him make the Final – it is a great race to be in,” Apap said.

“David has got some really good dogs and he was kind enough to send me four dogs to race a year ago and they have done alright for him.

“It is always good to see David, he is very professional.”

The multiple Group 1-winner from interstate jokes that the Apap family have overfed him during his stay.

But, besides that, it has been a perfect location to launch his latest attempt at the highest level of greyhound racing.

“It has been brilliant,” Hobby said.

“It is casual and I can do what I want.

“It is good and they have looked after me really well.

“Not just Tony’s family, everyone in the Queensland greyhound industry have been so helpful and friendly during my stay.”

Regarded as the premier conditioner in WA, Hobby wishes he could have travelled his dogs interstate more often in his almost 50 years in the sport.

”I have always had a large team at home and I have not campaigned outside of WA as often as I would have liked in hindsight,” Hobby said.

“It is hard to get away and I should have travelled more over the years.

“I have had a lot better dogs in times gone by but never travelled.”

Boom Kiwi dog Postman Pat looks hard to hold out in the Brisbane Cup of 2023, rated the red-hot favourite by all bookmakers.

Crumble Monelli is on the fourth line of betting as of Wednesday morning, rated an $8 chance.

While they are potentially running into a megastar of the industry in Postman Pat, Apap says his mate will have Crumble Monelli ready to go from the three box for the decider.

“He has not left any stone unturned,” Apap said.

“He has given the dog every opportunity and now he just needs a little bit of luck in the Final.”

With $1 million to go on the line at Albion Park on Friday night, Apap reckons there might be a sizeable party at his Gatton kennel if Crumble Monelli is to upset Postman Pat.

Crumble Monelli first came to Brisbane for the Flying Amy Classic series, which he did not make the Final for.

Looking back, Hobby notes that it was his star dog's first time on a plane coming to Queensland and it may have taken a little bit out of him.

The blue brindle dog bounced back smartly with a victory south of the border at Grafton before nabbing a heat of the Brisbane Cup last Thursday in 30.24 seconds.

Crumble Monelli has a few Group 2 and Listed triumphs already on his resume back home and Hobby says he deserved his opportunity at the highest level in Brisbane.

He also claimed the first ever $500,000 The Sandgroper at Cannington earlier this year. 

After a couple of hiccups when they first arrived, Hobby says Crumble Monelli is back to his best over the last fortnight and described his preparation as ‘spot on’ for the Final.

Renowned for his blistering early speed in his 20 career victories, Hobby is eager to see his kennel star get to the front on Friday.

“It is time to show what he can do,” Hobby said.

“He will need to improve on his heat run in the Final to win.

“The draw from three for us, I am quite happy and hopefully he can begin and use his early speed.”