West Australians aiming to steal Brisbane Group 1 honours

By Jordan Gerrans

The Sandgropers are in town and are eager to take a large slice of the cash from the 2023 Queensland Winter Greyhound Racing Carnival back across the Nullabor.

After a couple of years where travelling across the country has been troublesome with border restrictions, the West Australians will be well represented on ‘grand final night’ at Albion Park later this week.

Crumble Monelli and Elite Machine will fly the flag for the black swan in the Group 1 Brisbane Cup over 520 metres while Shayne Williams’ Rippin' Grace will contest the staying Final.

While Williams is originally from NSW, he has called Western Australia home for the last seven years.

Much like the Queensland dogs on the national stage in recent years, he believes that the WA dogs have as much quality as any across Australia.

“I think the dogs over in Western Australia have come a long way,” Williams said.

“The breeding and that here is pretty strong as well.

“I think WA dogs are competitive everywhere they go now.”

Visiting dogs from Western Australia have enjoyed success in Queensland in recent years.

Local star Jay Is Jay and Western Australian visitor Throttle could not be split after both scorching the track in 29.52 seconds in the Group 3 Golden Ticket series earlier this year. 

WA stayer We The People claimed the Group 3 $150,000 Gold Cup for caretaker trainer Selena Zammit in February of 2022.

Champion dog Tommy Shelby was also prominent in the Sunshine State during his stunning career. 

The highlight of the carnival this year is the prestigious Brisbane Cup, which boasts a staggering $1 million in total prize money for the first time. 

The Queensland Cup – which Williams will contest – will also be raced for a huge $262,500 on Friday evening.

Veteran trainer David Hobby has based himself in the Sunshine State through the carnival and has the brilliant Crumble Monelli in the Group 1 decider over the sprint trip.

While the prize money is massive for Hobby and his kennel, he notes that the prestige of the racing in Queensland is also a key factor in his decision to head across the nation.

“They have been brilliant and it is phenomenal for greyhound racing,” Hobby said of the prize money increases in Brisbane this carnival.

“The Group 1 racing and the Flying Amy Classic – the status of the races are also important to me.”

Hobby has campaigned to Queensland on a couple of occasions through his distinguished tenure in the industry.

He answered with ‘certainly’ when asked if the stakes lifts have aided other trainers in looking to Albion Park.

Elite Machine is a Group 1 champion on home soil and is being housed with leading Brisbane conditioner Tony Brett through the carnival.

The Krystal Shinners-trained Electrified finished third in a heat of the Brisbane Cup last week and missed out on a berth in the Final, leaving three WA runners in the frame for Group 1 glory this week.

“We have had four come over: Elite Machine, Electrified and the staying dog for Shayne Williams,” Hobby said.

“Four of us have had a crack at it.”

Hobby has set up a base in Queensland with fellow long-time dog man Tony Apap while Williams has sent his star bitch to the kennel of Jedda Cutlack and Tom Tzouvelis.

Williams believes giving Rippin' Grace a month to settle into Queensland conditions has been crucial to her two wins and a second-place finish from three starts.

Rippin' Grace’s 42.08 second run last Thursday was good enough to sneak into the Final for the Queensland Cup.

He points to the performance of Unsee This in the Final of the Queensland Derby back in December of 2021 as to why he thinks dogs should be in the Sunshine State as early as possible.

Williams’ Unsee This started as a $1.90 favourite in the Derby that year and was forced to settle for third after what he believes was not an adequate amount of time in the new surrounds.

He has learnt from that experience with Rippin' Grace this time around.

“I think the key is getting over there early,” Williams said.

“That is a big factor as you cannot do a hit and run mission, they need to be there early and get them accustomed to the weather and everything.

“I have been keen to get her on the road following her Oaks win in WA.

“She had a few spins around Albion and got to know the track early on.”

Williams made special mention of Cutlack, who was recognised as the industry's young achiever at the annual awards in 2022, in regards to Rippin' Grace’s performances.

“I have a young girl that always handles her on race day at home,” he said.

“And, I think Jedda being there on race nights is similar in the process of handling her.

“She has not put a foot wrong since she has been in Queensland.”

The TAB have Williams’ blue bitch on the third line of betting for Friday’s Final – rated a $5.50 chance from the six alley – with Palawa King the $2.40 favourite.

“We have not drawn real well in the Final but she is a get back dog that needs luck,” Williams said.

“If she gets any luck at all, she is a top three chance.

“I was really happy with the way she went in the heats as that was her first dip with her toes into Group 1 company and she handled it really well.

“Moving forward, it is good to know that we can send her on the road and she will be competitive.”

Williams is set to arrive in Queensland on Friday morning ahead of the Group 1 decider in the evening.