Dream run for All Natural's owners rolls on in Bundaberg

By Jordan Gerrans

The connections of Bundaberg Cup-winning greyhound All Natural might just have to be ‘one and done’ when it comes to greyhound ownership.

The three young lads who own the top chaser - Angus Wallace, Beau Bourke and Maxim Grieve-Jones – are first-time owners in the sport and understand how much of a charmed run they are enjoying with their red fawn dog.

While All Natural has raced in the shadow of megastar litter mate Jay Is Jay during his career, he has still banked $287,615 in career stakes.

That number includes the $75,000 that landed in the kitty following Monday’s Group 2 Cup decider on the grass at ‘Bundy’.

The special tale of Wallace, Bourke and Grieve-Jones was well-told by leading greyhound scribe Pat McLeod on the eve of the Bundaberg Cup Final.

And, All Natural’s kennel representative Mick Zammit says the trio of smiling owners might just have to quit while they are ahead in the ownership game.

Two of the three lads made the trip to Bundaberg on Monday to savour the triumph.

“It is great for them,” Mick said.

“As this is their first ever greyhound, they are saying they do not want to buy another one because they know they have been very lucky with what they have had. It is a very special win.”

All Natural’s victory on Monday gave him some revenge for just falling short in the event last year.

He went down by just under a length on that occasion to local chaser Springview Magic.

In the time since Bundaberg trips, All Natural has finished second in the Group 1 Gold Bullion at Albion Park on February 1 and has generally developed into a stronger dog, Mick believes.

“We are honoured as he ran a good race last year,” Mick said.

“It is very rewarding as the dog has had a few setbacks and he had a bit off time of at the end of last year.

“He has come back as good or better than ever. It is fantastic.”

After the Zammit-prepared dog broke the track record in his heat earlier this month – bolting in as he stopped the clock at 29.70 seconds – he was always going to be hard to hold out come the Final.

And, once he drew the red rug, All Natural appeared set for victory.

He led in the early stages and eventually justified his quote of $1.60.

He was not far outside of his track record time, scoring in 29.86 seconds on Monday. 

Bundaberg’s Sky Racing caller Liam Mulry believes that when dogs of the quality of All Natural are travelling north to Bundaberg, it emphasizes the strength the Cup series now possess with increased prize money and Group status.

“We saw All Natural here last year with a strong team of other dogs,” Mulry said.

“When the Zammits are bringing dogs to Bundaberg, you know the quality of greyhounds are very good.

“All Natural is a top-grade performer at Albion Park and for him to be coming to Bundaberg and other quality greyhounds as well – people are willing to travel to Bundaberg for the Cup series.”

The Cup field boasted an array of leading South East Queensland kennels including Christopher Brydon, Tony Apap and Jamie Hosking, on top of the Zammits.

Mulry noted the challenge was now for the race to attract interstate chasers to the Group 2 event in 2025 and beyond.

With a cluttered feature greyhound racing calendar at this point of the year around the country it may be tricky but Mulry says that with the stakes and status on offer, it is not out of the question.

Bundaberg Greyhound Racing Club President Stephen Bland is proud to see so many top dog people in the ‘Rum City’ for the 2024 Cup, which kicked-off last month with the Wildcard series.

“It has been great and a really good event,” Bland said.

“It has been high, level of racing, and there has been very good competitive dogs this year.

“We had the track record broken last week so it is high quality racing.”

When All Natural drew box one, Mick – who trains in partnership with his wife Selena – thought he could go one better than his 2023 result.

“He has got plenty of early speed and like a lot of them when they have speed, they make their own luck early,” Mick said.

“He began well.

“Once he led, he was going to be hard to beat as he is probably a lot stronger than when he was younger. He had a good enough break on them.”

The star litter mates - Jay Is Jay and All Natural - are now on a path to the prestigious Group 1 Golden Easter Egg at Wentworth Park on March 30 for the heats and the Final on April 13.