Schafer’s welcome message to southerners: ‘Catch us if you can’

By Pat McLeod

Jay Schafer would love to be the trainer who reminded the greyhound world of the quality of racing in North Queensland by winning the Townsville Cup.

The experienced mentor continues that campaign on Tuesday night when his speedster Balts Orson takes on the city’s best sprinters in the Townsville Wildcard Final.

The Wildcard winner gets direct entry into the August 25 Cup finale, which offers a very enticing $75,000 to the winner.

As was seen in the Bundaberg and Rockhampton cups earlier this year, the massive boost to prizemoney has created even greater interest from metropolitan kennels in the country clubs’ biggest features.

However, Schafer welcomes that attention.

“With the prizemoney what it is now this cup is even tougher to win,” he said.

“But I like that. Last year there were only two local dogs in the cup final and we won it (with Harold Hovi’s Redemption Day).

“So hopefully we can get a couple in it again this year and take it out again and show everyone just how strong greyhound racing is in Townsville.

“I think it is great having the foreigners come up. We want people to know just how strong the racing is up here and they're all welcome to come and try to win here.”

The other local that made it through to last year’s Cup final was Balts Orson.

The dog may turn four years old later this year, but Schafer says his Orson Allen - Real Obsession chaser isn’t acknowledging Father Time at this stage.

In fact the dog recorded his fastest time (28.50) over the Townsville Cup distance (498m) on June 20 this year.

“He seems to be getting better the older he gets,” said Schafer.

“The whole litter is the same.

“He is going well at the moment, however I don't like his box draw (7) for the Wildcard final.

“So hopefully he can overcome the seven box and be running close to the lead two down the back straight. If that is the case I think he will be a good chance.

“He came third in the heat and did it pretty tough in that race. One, two or three are his best boxes and in the heat he came out of the six.

“He was 6th or 7th going down the back straight and ended up running third. He doesn't really get going until the top corner and that's when he really unwinds.

“To do well out of that box on Tuesday night he needs to come out better than he has ever done before.

“Although having said that, there is some speed inside of him and that will help a bit. That might give him a little bit of room to move.

“He is the type of dog that will go to the rail. He won't go around dogs. He just likes the fence.

“As far as the Townsville Cup goes, there is room for confidence, if he was to get that far.

“He is a 28.50 dog and very few go faster than that to win the cup.

“So, if he can draw a good box, be up there early and the fact that he is going the best that he has ever gone at the moment, so yes, he’s in with a chance.”

Schafer believes Tuesday night’s biggest threat is the reigning champ, Redemption Day, who won the Wildcard in 2022.

“If he (Redemption Day) comes out, he will be hard to beat,” he said.

“He is a such a strong dog.”

Schafer, who races a six-strong team, has tasted some success in the Townsville Cup.

In 2018 his talented Natty’s On Fire ran third to visitor Big Bad Bob (George Clegg).

“My dog was a very good bitch who won the Cairns Cup and also the Townsville Futurity that year,” he recalls.

“She led all the way in the cup before being run down in the straight by the Brisbane dog.

“He was the only one that I didn't want following me.”