The late Bill Elson an inspiration to an entire industry

By Pat McLeod

As powerhouse speedster Kahlo Hayze gathers momentum towards an appetizing summer of big race commitments, owner Nathan Trigg pointed to the late Bill Elson as an inspiration to a break out carnival for his kennel.

After winter race results that shot her to a status as one of the nation’s most promising sprinters, the Sandra Hunt-trained Kahlo Hayze has been through a comparative lean patch over the past month.

However, that started to turn around last week, when she nailed a Thursday night win at Albion Park against class performers.

“Yes, that was nice to see her return to the winner’s circle,” the Bundaberg-based Trigg said.

“But, she has a fair way to go before she is back to her best. There is no obvious reason as to why her form has fallen away recently. She is well in herself and her work has been good.

“But, they are not machines. As an owner, I am not a lounge room trainer. I leave that to Sandra (Hunt). She has been doing a great job.”

There will be a good indication of Kahlo Hayze’s current form this Thursday night at Albion Park when she jumps from box three in a best eight event over 520 metres.

Directly inside her are the Selena Zammit Group-class duo of All Natural (box two) and Cluster (box one).

And, directly outside is Pamela Field’s form chaser, More Than Money.

“This is a very good field and a good test,” Trigg said.

“We hope that she will be back to her best for the Brisbane summer carnival.”

He said an upcoming Ipswich Cup campaign, was ‘unlikely’.

Trigg said he had been saddened at the news of the passing of Queensland training and breeding icon Bill Elson on Sunday.

He said the achievements of Bill and his family were an inspiration to the entire industry.

“I first met Bill and his son Travis when they would come to Bundaberg when we were starting out, just learning,” Trigg said.

“What Bill achieved during his career is inspirational, incredible.

“I came to know Travis really well and he was the one that first put me in touch with Sandra (Hunt).

“For Bill and his family to have stayed at the top of the game for so long really is amazing.

“But, I guess in some ways it isn’t surprising, because their success is based on hard work. That is what stands out with the Elson brand.”

Long-time Albion Park club boss Luke Gatehouse said the industry had lost someone special with Bill’s passing.

“I first met Bill at the non-TAB days at Bundaberg,” Gatehouse said.

“A great bloke and a great family. He took the punt with Regal Silver and bred a dynasty from her. She was the flagship.

“We all recall their favourite greyhound Cyndie's Magic, 'the Queen Of The Creek', and how she put Albion Park on the map with her barnstorming finishes."

Gatehouse said Bill was a good friend.

"I always had a good laugh with him. A proven breeder and also a very good trainer," Gatehouse said. 

“The Elsons’ domination of the owners’ and trainers’ premiership at Albion Park over the past decade speaks volumes for the quality of their kennel and the quality of their breeding and training.

“Whenever you talk about the Elsons, it has always been Team Elson – both Bill and Cyndie. We recently introduced the Group 2 Cyndie’s Magic over 600 metres feature race into the winter carnival.

“No doubt the club will now give serious consideration to having some sort of tribute to Bill on that same program.”