Lound hopes Young Rob’s purple patch extends to Townsville Cup podium

By Pat McLeod

Veteran Townsville trainer Rob Lound has no doubts the ‘Second Coming’ of his amazing chaser Young Rob can result in Townsville Cup success on Friday night.

“If he jumps, I don't think anything will touch him,” Lound predicts of Young Rob’s chances in the $75,000 to-the-winner regional classic.

The highlight race of the Townsville club calendar has attracted a class field of both local and visiting greyhounds.

However, Lound’s confidence is well grounded.

Young Rob is on the second line of betting as a $5.50 chance behind Jemma Daley’s Hara’s Herbie ($3).

But, even more compelling is his dog’s form.

At three-and-a-half years of age he has hit a purple patch.

The Cosmic Chief – Izumi dog ran second to Balts Orson in the Townsville Cup Wildcard Final two weeks ago before winning his Cup heat last week in a best of the night 28.43 seconds, his best time ever over the 498 metre distance.

“The fact that he ran his fastest time at his 63rd start just comes down to the fact that he has really matured over the last year,” Lound said.

“He came fourth in the Townsville Cup last year, but this year he is a better dog, a more mature dog.

“Race-wise he is 100 per cent better than what he was last year. And, I am talking about all aspects of his racing - the start, his race sense, just everything.

“I'm extremely proud of what we have been able to achieve with this dog and the fact that he has improved so much. He is not a young dog.

“What we have concentrated on is making sure his muscles, his feet, are in top condition. Obviously that is so important for race dogs.”

The 65-year-old Lound is confined to a wheelchair after suffering a stroke five years ago and says the dog’s current status is a tribute to his ‘amazing’ support team.

“The people who help me are just great, really great,” he says.

“Greta Thomson (a fellow trainer) is here every week to check all my dogs over.

“Young Rob has had niggling injuries all of his career and I have no doubt if it wasn’t for Greta he would not still be racing, let alone be in the best form of his career.

“Then there are Chris Scifleet (another Townsville trainer) and Tim Mitchell, who do so much, including looking after the dogs on race nights.

“I have about 14 dogs in work and it is because of these people that I have been able to stay involved in greyhound racing. It’s the reason I get up each morning.”

Lound says even he is surprised by how well Young Rob is performing, but he knows he will have to be at his best on Friday night.

“It is a very good Cup field and I think Hara's Herbie is my dog's biggest danger,” he said.

“Dixie Gambles (trained by Ken Boody), out of the eight, is also a major threat. But, overall it is a good field and so it should be. It is the Townsville Cup.

“I have had some good dogs over the years. The best dog I ever had was Rocket’s Magic. Young Rob would be second to him.

“I have never won a Townsville Cup. The closest I came was when Rocket’s Magic came second to Zabdon Ferrari (Tony Brett) in 2016.

“To win the Townsville Cup, for me, that is the ultimate, the top of the ladder. The money is pretty good, as well.”