Darling Downs trainer happy to lob in Vince Curry Final

By Jordan Gerrans

Underdone when it comes to race track experience prior to the rich Vince Curry Memorial series, Justin Bowe’s Tank Engine has surprised many to land in the Final of the prestigious Group 3 event.

Tank Engine has started at $7 and $21 respectively in the heats and semi-final of the series.

That has not stopped the Clifton-based dog as he and Bowe have now drawn well for the $75,000-to-the-winner decider on Saturday evening in box three.

He was beaten by more than nine lengths in his maiden race – which was good enough for second in the heat earlier this month – before running home in 30.80 seconds in the semi-final to land in the big Final.

From the two, Tank Engine landed on the rail in the early stages on Saturday night and led them from there on. 

The Darling Downs dog man has been around the caper for decades, growing up with the sport through his father Gerard and grandfather’s involvement as trainers.

Bowe was pleasantly surprised with the performance of Tank Engine in the last of the four semi’s.

“He went better than what I thought he would actually, it was a good win,” Bowe said.

“He only realistically had one post to post before he went into the series, so he was sort of rushed into it a little bit.

“He has built on that and his last run was quite good in a good field, as well. I was very happy with the run.”

Duffman – prepared by leading trainer Jedda Cutlack – set the pace in the semi-final leg of the three week series, scoring in 30.38 seconds, and will commence from five in the decider.

Tank Engine is owned by John Jeffrey who operates the Postman's Ridge trialling and education centre, which is based at the bottom of the Toowoomba range.

Jeffrey approached Bowe – who has eight greyhounds in work - about taking the dog on after he felt the youngster broke in well.

From an Aussie Infrared and Athletic Lee litter, Tank Engine did not trial the house down before his maiden race day outing but he has certainly put his best foot forward on the Ipswich track.

Bowe is keen to see the Vince Curry finalist improve his times running home, which he believes he will naturally do as he progresses through his career.

“He is a very hard chasing dog,” the trainer said.

The Clifton conditioner says his kennel youngster will need to make his own luck on Saturday night in the Final to topple impressive semi-final winner That's Nuts and Duffman.

“I am really happy, it is always good to get a dog in the Final,” Bowe said.

“We will not go in with any expectations and just see how he goes. The draw is good, the dog needs an inside box draw so we are pretty happy with it.

“He will need to jump like he did last week to put him himself in the race. He will need everything to go right to win a race like this.”

The Bowe kennel have been prominent in big Group races in recent years after Slick Raven qualified for the 2019 Bold Trease Final at Sandown.  

The Final of the Vince Curry Memorial Maiden will be contested on Saturday night, February 3, and is the final event of the Queensland Golden Greys Summer Racing Carnival.