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Focus is now on carnival majors following ‘gold rush’

20 December 2024

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Hara's Luna from the Jemma Daley team.

By Pat McLeod

Prominent local trainers Warren Nicholls and John McCarthy have now turned their guns towards the 2024-25 Queensland Golden Greys Summer Racing Carnival major prizes after QGOLD success at Albion Park on Thursday night.

Nicholls’ Kia Kaha took out the Summer Sprint over 520 metres in 29.91 seconds, while McCarthy’s Affluent again proved he is worthy of bigger assignments with victory in the Emerging Sprinters over the same trip in 29.98 seconds.

In all there were seven QGOLD feature Finals on a night that has become a popular early highlight of the summer and winter Queensland carnivals.

“That was a super run and she made her own luck out in front,” Nicholls said.

Kia Kaha led for the entire journey from box one, with Duffman (trained by Jedda Cutlack) second and Mustang Hayze (Sandra Hunt) third.

“She was leading up the back, the mid-section, which is her worst section, and when she was still in front on the turn, I thought we were half a chance," Nicholls said. 

“The plan now is to stay here for the major carnival (sprint) races, but after that I might go for a bit of a look around. I think The Meadows or something similar would suit her, so if something is coming up there we would certainly take her down.

“Then there is the Easter Egg and things like that. We will have a crack at whatever we can because I will probably retire her after the winter carnival.”

Races

7
7

Albion Park | Queensland Greyhound Racing Club | 8:27 PM

QGOLD Emerging Sprinters F

While the experienced Kia Kaha is at the top of her game, McCarthy is rapt that Affluent continues to rise in race stature.

“I will now have a go at the Queensland Derby with him, but I have also been looking at ‘what else’ in this carnival,” McCarthy said.

Affluent scored a narrow win over litter and kennel sister, Mossy Boots, with Kerry Hoggan’s Clean Cut, third.

“The bigger races of the carnival (Golden Ticket and Gold Bullion) are on the edge of my mind," McCarthy said. 

“When you have a dog going well, and he is in form at the moment, you have got to take advantage of it.”

Affluent made the most of his box eight draw, crossing to lead and then holding on for victory.

“The dog was drawn exactly where he wanted to be and that is the luck of the box draw, but he also has the ability to use that luck, as well,” McCarthy said.

“Other boxes don't worry him, it is just that he needs that little bit of room when he starts, because he does not ping.”

 

Here’s what connections said after victory in the other QGOLD Finals:

 

Blitz (331 metres) – Hope’s Zone:

Travis Elson (trainer):

“She loves this distance and has an unbelievable record over this journey. She has blistering early speed.

“Sunday was her first run back for a couple of months from a season. After a couple of more runs we will take her up to 395 metres and then see what happens after that.”

Races

8
8

Albion Park | Queensland Greyhound Racing Club | 8:48 PM

QGOLD Summer Sprint F

Bolt (395 metres) – Danger Zone:

Travis Elson (trainer): “He is just a really fast dog, a freak, but just can't get the 500 metres. The last 20 to 30 metres of that distance finds him out.

“His form over the 520 metres looks average, but when you look at the replays, he has led every start and just gets run down.

“Over 450 metres I don't think there would be too many dogs that could beat him. The Q, with its feature racing including 450 metres, can't come quick enough for him.”

 

Summer Distance (710 metres) – Hara’s Luna:

Jemma Daley (trainer):

“She missed the start and also had some early interference, but overall I am very happy with that run.

“Providing she pulls up alright we will continue to push on with her and we wouldn't mind getting away for a trial at another track just for a change of scenery.

“With the summer carnival here now we have (710 metres features) the Clem Jones Cup (January 16) into the (Group 1) Gold Cup (January 30).

“But, they are a few weeks away and that is why we are considering getting away for a change.

“She is certainly up to the class of dogs for the features here and she also has the home track advantage. You would be mad not to have a crack.”

Rookies (520 metres) – Grevillea:

Denise Robinson (trainer):

“That was excellent. He is only 21 months old so still very young and is shaping up to be a very nice dog.

“I think he can develop into a Group-class dog. The time didn't show that, but he keeps improving at every race.

“There are a couple of (summer carnival) races coming up in January that we have got our eye on for him.”

 

Veterans (520 metres) – Plum Tuckered:

Tony Apap (trainer):

“She was busting for the rails and just waited and waited until she got through.

“It was a good little run, but she has been knocking on the door. Her last sectionals have been enormous, so we are going to go back and put her up over the 600 metres.

“We will give her a few more starts over that distance and, you never know, we might even put her up to 700 metres.”

Tony Apap's Plum Tuckered.
Plum Tuckered
Grevillea
Danger Zone
Hope's Zone