Veteran trainer says Bundaberg is no longer ‘Giveaway City’

By Pat McLeod

Experience tells Ron Brook there’s plenty of room for confidence in his three-pronged attack on Monday’s Bundaberg Oaks and Derby Finals.

Experience is also telling him, that the days of over-confidence at Bundaberg are long gone.

The multiple-premiership-winning trainer will campaign Endless Dancing in the Bundaberg Oaks Final over 531 metres and Kick Son and Just Like Mick in the Derby.

All three have claims, but after training for 30 years in that region Brook isn’t preparing his victory speech just yet.

“After a long involvement in Bundaberg greyhound racing, what I have noticed in recent years is the bar has certainly risen here,” Brook says.

“We (Bundaberg) used to be referred to in greyhound circles as ‘Giveaway City’. That is certainly no longer the case.

“The trainers here have certainly got a lot smarter in their dog selection and the quality is a lot higher.

“You have to have a good dog to win at Bundaberg now. Gone are the days when the metropolitan trainers would come here for an easy win.”

Brook says the strength of Monday’s fields are an indication of just how competitive week-to-week racing is at 'Bundy-on-a-Mundy'.

“These are tough races to win,” Brook said.

“But, I am happy with my three.

“Endless Dancing has just turned two and has given me the impression in her 460 metre runs that she isn't blessed with a lot of early speed. She is more of what I would describe as a one-pace-pony.

“But, she has looked like she would easily get 500 metres and although she had never trialled over 500 metres I put her in these heats and was really happy with her run.

“She struck some early trouble, was well off the pace, but showed that she can run on.

“So, it was a good preview of what she can do over that distance. I think she can mature into a handy performer over that distance and maybe even further."

Brook says he will certainly know more after two or three runs over the 531 metre trip at the track.

“She is out of box seven on Monday, but I think the pace will be on early so as long as she's not too far off the lead I am happy with that draw," Brook said. 

“Hopefully she can just cruise in behind the quicker starters, but finish over top of them.

“She will need a clear run through that first corner, but she shows good track sense. Also, in recent runs she's showing that her cruising speed is increasing with maturity.

“The two possible dangers are Allan Thrower’s, Alpha Humbug (box five) and Miss Slimm (box eight).”

Brook said his two derby runners – Kick Son (box two) and Just Like Mick (box seven) - were both strong chasers.

“Unfortunately, neither of these dogs are great box dogs,” Brook said.

“In fact Kick Son is one of the most unreliable box dogs I have ever had.

“We have done a fair bit of work on that recently and he has actually exited the boxes quite well in his last couple of starts.

“I have only had Kick Son for a few starts and am still working him out.

“If he does get clear sailing, he is as strong as an ox.”

Brook leases a five-acre greyhound property at Torbanlea, near Hervey Bay and has eight dogs in work – a far cry from the 20-plus strong kennel he had at the peak of his training career.

“I am really happy with the number of dogs I have at the moment,” Brook said.

“I am 69, 70 next month. I'm still absolutely loving greyhound racing and the involvement I have these days.

“The greyhounds are the reason I get up in the morning. They are great to be around, sometimes challenging, but that is good.”

Another trainer who has multiple starters across the two features races is Ipswich trainer Peter O’Reilly. He has five runners in action – two in the Oaks and three in the Derby.