Bear’s Bullet ready to step up to Group 1 glory

By Pat McLeod

Travis Elson knows his all-heart kennel queen, Bear’s Bullet, is ready for Group 1 glory.

The quality sprinter can soon achieve that, and Elson’s second Group 1 crown for the year, after winning through to next Thursday night’s $225,000 Ipswich Gold Cup Final over 520 metres.

The Fernando Bale and Mumma's Hope chaser posted the fastest of seven heats on a stormy night at the Showgrounds track, finishing strongly over the top of Jamie Hosking’s Jen’s Joy and Caramel Queen (trained by Tom Tzouvelis) in 30.17 seconds. 

That typically strong finish secured Bear’s Bullet’s third Group 1 Final of the year, after finishing unplaced in both the National Sprint at The Meadows and the Brisbane Cup at Albion Park.

“This is her third Group 1 Final this year and this little girl is getting experienced at them now,” Elson said.

“I think she has hit her peak maturity now.

“Back in the Brisbane Cup, she was still a little bit immature, where-as now she has hit her straps and she is knocking on the door for something like this.”

Bear’s Bullet has drawn the four box for the Final, the same alley she came out of when she was given her first look at the Ipswich track with a win last Saturday.

Victory in the Final would put another exclamation mark onto what has already been an amazing year for Elson.

It began with his Hello Mike taking out the Group 1 Gold Bullion at Albion Park in February.

At the time he indicated that the emerging Bear’s Bullet was potentially something special.

And, she has delivered with an always 100 per cent performance in gathering 15 wins and 13 placings from 38 starts for $181,160 in prize money.

“Even when Hello Mike was flying in the early days, I remember saying that I had a big opinion on this little girl and she has not let me down,” Elson said.

“It has just been a roller-coaster ride this year.

“We have made so many Finals. It has been an awesome year.”

Another South East Queensland kennel celebrating an even greater year, Selena and Mick Zammit, also have very strong claims on the Ipswich Gold Cup Final.

This time it is All Natural, the brother of their Million Dollar Chase-winning superstar Jay Is Jay, who grabbed his share of the spotlight with his impressive heat win in 30.31 seconds. 

Adding to that success was the subsequent box draw where he was allocated the coveted red alley.

“I certainly am feeling good about the Final after that run, especially doing that from box eight,” Selena said.

“He jumped well and came across on that first corner.

“I held my breath, but he got across well. So, I am very happy. This is exciting. A Group 1 Final.”

There was more relief than excitement on the face of Northern NSW trainer Col Graham as his powerful youngster, King Of Aces, finally rediscovered his form, and some luck in running, with a solid heat win.

The Hooked On Scotch and Distant Star chaser was given a short rest after winning the age-restricted Molly Campbell Silver Dollars at Albion Park on September 7.

At that stage he had accumulated five wins and a third from six starts.

Since the three-week break he was winless in four starts. 

“The main feeling now is relief,” Graham said after the heat win.

“Again, not a perfect start, but he certainly got the job done tonight.

“He was a fair way back and he had to do a lot of work, but he is there. He made it. He is in the Final.

“As far as going into the Final with confidence, well let’s just say I am in there, and I have more of a chance than the ones that aren't.”

Mary Burman, who trains track record holder and now Gold Cup Finalist, Blue Hornet, with husband Ray, achieved her wish with an inside alley (box two) for the Final.

“I was very happy with that,” Mary said after the heat win.

“A decent box draw (box two in the heat) probably made the difference.

“I don't think he is as sharp as he used to be, when he set the track record (29.83 seconds). With an inside draw (in the Final) he is definitely a chance.”

Get Carter (Grant Franklin) added to his reputation as a ‘giant-killer’, finishing over the top of successful Group performer Magistrate (Greg Stella) to also earn a place in the $150,000-to-the-winner Final.

“It is very hard to get into these Finals and we are through to one,” Franklin said. 

“I was certainly concerned about the strength of this heat. These are tried dogs, a different class of dogs and my dog isn't proven yet.

“This is the highlight of my greyhound career. He is in there and he is in there with a shot.”

The sentiments were similar from top trainer Tom Tzouvelis, who also gained a Finals berth with a heat win to Saanvi.

“That is probably the best she has ever jumped,” Tzouvelis said.

“She is still very young, just two years old next month.

“She is improving all the time and as I said to the owners, we are putting her in this race more with hope.”

Tzouvelis however did not get his wish for a wide alley, with Saanvi drawing the three box.

NSW Northern Rivers trainer Michael Lalicz wasn’t too surprised when his chaser Dino Way claimed a Finals berth with a commanding three-and-a-half-length win.

“He has been here a couple of times before but hasn’t had any luck,” Lalicz said.

“I knew that if he was anywhere near the front tonight he would be hard to beat.”

The fastest second-placed dog in the heats, and securing a Final position, is Jamie Hosking’s Jen’s Joy.