Traditional’s connections look to Ipswich Young Guns Final

By Pat McLeod

Owners Donna Darcy and her partner Vince Mackenzie-Ross and trainer Greg Stella are hopeful Saturday night’s Ipswich Young Guns Final (520m) will confirm another rich vein of breeding gold.

The trio have the lightly raced Traditional jumping from Box 2 in the $30,000-to-the-winner feature.

The dog is from a very promising Aussie Infrared x Inspired Hope litter.

Inspired Hope, who was trained by Stella and is owned by Darcy, caused plenty of raised eyebrows with her first litter, by Fernando Bale.

To date the nine pups to have raced from that litter have totaled $762,820 in prize money, with the standout being seasoned group performer, Magistrate ($423,825).

Stella trained four of that litter, including Magistrate, and trains three of this current litter.

“The second litter is going OK and we will see if they take the next step,” Stella said.

“There are certainly some there with good ability.

“There is a third litter that is going to break-in next week.

“The sire is Tommy Shelby and this time around there are just six girls.

“Donna is over the moon with the two litters so far that have raced.

“She and Vince will be at Ipswich on Saturday night.”

Stella says Saturday night is a key barometer for Traditional.

“He has always had natural ability, but when you are racing the better dogs you have to have that ability in the right places,” he explains.

“He is reasonably fast early without being overly quick and puts in 100 per cent and is a good railer. So has some good traits.

“Only time will tell whether he can take the next step against the better dogs.

“One thing I am happy with is that he is now running out the 500 metres very well.

“This dog has had a bit of luck with box draws (three box ones and then Box 2 in this Saturday’s final) and although he's still learning with just the nine starts, he is building up to the 500 metres and is getting stronger.

“He has had a few early setbacks in his racing, just some injury niggles.

“It was good that his luck with the box draws continued for this final because the draw is so important with this sort of field, obviously the strongest field he has been in.

“So, overall I am happy with how he has progressed. He has been consistent and has been ticking over well.”

Stella said there was plenty of quality opposition in Saturday night’s field.

“This is a good, strong race, just what you would expect,” he said.

“You have Duffman (Box 4, Jedda Cutlack), the Vince Curry winner. Golden Bear (Box 7, Adam Mcintosh) is in incredible form.

“You expect a strong, competitive race and this is certainly that.

“As far as confidence goes, you go in knowing that you are a chance.

“If things go right then you are a chance.

“If I could finish in the top three, then I would come away happy.

“It all comes down to who gets clear running through that first corner.

“You can never be confident in these races. You just prepare the dog well and I believe he has a chance to finish in the top three.”

Stella said he had never had ultimate success in an Ipswich Young Guns.

He ran third last year with Magistrate in what was another very hot field. The winner was Brimstone (Selena Zammit) with track record holder, Blue Hornet (Ray Burman), second.

The Ipswich Passed Members Final (288m) will also be held on Saturday night.