Kennel newcomer lands Scott a 'Rocky' Cup

By Mike Hill

Steven Scott has made a stunning return to the sport guiding new acquisition Inevitable to a brilliant victory in Friday night's $112,500 Group 2 Rockhampton Cup. 

Inevitable, well-supported at $4.90, was having only his second start for Scott after the astute trainer purchased the well-credentialed sprinter from highly respected breeder Steve Williams a bit over a month ago.

The black son of Sennachie and Velocity Chance had won first-up for the Sarina-based conditioner in a heat of the 'Rocky' series seven days earlier and then almost doubled his prize money with a tenacious run in the $75,000-to-the-winner Final.

And, for Scott, it was his first 'Rocky' Cup success.

The fastest of the heat winners, Inevitable (box seven) showed his class in the rich Final by taking control down the back straight and holding off Travis Elson's gallant Bear's Bullet ($2.20 favourite) by half a length.

The Ken Boody-trained Tagovailoa ($6.70) was another three-quarters of a length away third.

Before joining Scott's team, Inevitable had been an impressive member of the powerful Selena and Michael Zammit kennels at Willow Vale on the Gold Coast.

Scott said he had secured the dog after chatting with owner Steve Williams, who he had trained for in the past.

"One thing led to another and he ended up at my joint," Scott said.

The trainer said he thought Inevitable was a good chance in the Final up until he drew box seven.

But, then he remembered what Williams had told him.

"Steve always said that Michael Zammit reckoned the dog was a better dog from the outside," Scott said.

"Obviously he was right."

The success lifted Inevitable's earnings to $152,815 from 41 career starts, including 14 wins and nine placings.

And, about future plans for the dog, Scott hasn't made up his mind.

"We'll see," Scott said.

"We may look at the carnival (Queensland Winter Greyhound Racing Carnival).

"Six weeks ago none of this was going to happen, so if we don't win a 'Rocky' Cup we'll probably go around here next week or the week after.

"We'll just see. We'll keep him happy and just have a bit of fun. Does anyone think that this can happen?

"We've had some good dogs through the years. Not very often does a dog like this dog land in your lap like it has.

"Steve's a good bloke, he has looked after me a lot with other dogs through the years."

Scott, who took outstanding sprinter Farmor Beach to the top of Group racing when based at Churchable, stepped away from the industry several years ago.

He only picked up the lead and collar again last year and already he's sitting in fifth spot on the 2024 'Rocky' trainers points table with 15 wins at a 23 per cent winning strike rate.

It was a big night for Scott, who also landed the $7,700 Rocky Carnival Sprint over 407 metres with Farmor Iconic.

Meanwhile, talented chaser Samurai Mind landed his second country feature in successive months with an impressive win the $18,500 Rockhampton Cup Consolation. 

The Jamie Hosking-trained fawn sprinter surged late to beat Black Wizard (trained by Juanita Thompson) by a length with Dallas Beckett's Magical Star a close third.

Samurai Mind's success in the $12,025-to-the-winner feature followed victory in the $15,400 QGOLD Open Final over 531 metres at Bundaberg in the middle of March.

The Fernando Bale and Crazy Bonnie sprinter has chalked up 18 wins and 17 placings from 59 career starts with earnings just under $95,000.

Emerald-based trainer Christine Pollard also had a rewarding night.

She picked up a winning treble, which included a victory for smart sprinter Educator.

In fact, she quinellaed the feature with kennel mate Barefoot Rogue.

Pollard's other winners were Buckaroo and Grande Bahama.

All three victors are members of her highly successful Fernando Bale and Bossy Miss Bella litter.