Cobber refuses to yield in thrilling Gold Bullion showdown

By Pat McLeod

Dave Irwin knew the dog in his care could chase, but even he struggled to comprehend Good Odds Cobber’s desire to win the Group 1 Gold Bullion at Albion Park on Thursday night.

“He just never knows when he is beat,” the respected New South Wales Northern Rivers conditioner said while shaking his head.

“Cobber was gone on the turn. He had no right to win, but he did. He kicked again and he won.”

The Frank and Tracey Hurst-owned-and-trained champion, who has been in Irwin’s care during his Brisbane carnival campaign, hung on to collect the $250,000 winner’s cheque over super talented Victorian sprinter Vincent Bale, with Spirit Boy (trained by Craig Gardoll) third, in 29.67 seconds.

Jumping from the red, Good Odds Cobber led through the first turn and appeared in command down the back.

However, Irwin knew trouble was on his tail.

“I was certainly worried when Vincent Bale started to threaten,” Irwin said.

“As soon as I saw him get into the second spot over at the 600 metre boxes I knew we were in for a tussle. He was the danger dog, no risk.

“When he (Vincent Bale) got to that spot you really knew the race was on. But, I never gave up hope. I never thought that the race was lost because this dog, Cobber, never gives up, he just keeps kicking.

“But, I also knew how good the other dog is. But, Cobber just said, ‘No, I'm not getting run down’.”

The win took the Fernando Bale and Good Odds Meghan’s record to 32 wins and 11 placings from 54 starts for a prizemoney tally of $726,955.

For Irwin, the win had a special meaning.

Not only had he been entrusted to prepare the dog for his long-time friend, Hurst, but with him on Thursday night handling the dog were his two daughters, Lisa and Shelley.

“There is nothing better than to win a race for good people,” Irwin said.

“To be able to do what I did for Frank, I really appreciate it. I really appreciate him having the trust in me to do what he did. It is just as good to win a race in this situation as it is to win with one of your own, because you have been trusted to do this job.

“There were plenty of other good people he could have sent the dog to, but he picked me and so that is pretty special.

“It is also very special to have my two daughters here as part of this. It is enormous. But, the unsung hero is at home, my partner Mandy (Rayner). She works really hard behind the scenes, but is an integral part of this win.”

In another all-the-way performance, classy Victorian bitch Ethanol Water (Tom Dailly) stepped up to another level with her win in the Gold Cup Final over 710 metres.

Local Hope Black Silencer may have challenged late, however Ethanol Water made the race her own throughout, confirming her talent with a 41.46 second race record run. 

“She has found another length and a half on her previous run up here, which is a phenomenal effort,” stand-in trainer Greg Brennan said.

Ethanol Water won from Black Silencer (Tom Tzouvelis) and Late Night News (Mary Hughes).

“I just think that this little dog has performed so well. Everything went according to plan up here - perfect really," Brennan said. 

Each of Ethanol Water’s four trips to ‘The Creek’ during this carnival - firstly for the Golden Sands over 600 metres, where she finished unplaced in the Final, and then for the Gold Cup - have been short trips to minimise the dogs exposure to the Queensland summer heat.

Brennan said his association with the Droopys Sydney and My Ethanol stayer’s trainer, Tom Dailly, traced back about 30 years.

“I have looked after many of his best dogs up here over that time,” Brennan said.

“We have been friends for more than 30 years. She is the best stayer he has sent up to me across that time and I have no doubt she will go back south for more big race success.”

The incredible form spike of the now Rockhampton-based Play Dirty continued at Albion Park on Thursday night with his win in the annual Country Cup Final in 29.94 seconds. 

The Speed Star and Sapphire Ruby chaser’s win over Canya Escape (Ben Davey) and Farmor Fired Up (Steven Scott) was his 10^th win in a row since coming north from Victoria.

Trainer Dallas Beckett said although he believed Play Dirty could make an impact at 'Headquarters', he would pursue country Cups success out of Rockhampton.

“He (Play Dirty) can burn it at both ends and there's not many dogs that can do that,” Beckett said.

“I reckon if you gave him another two starts here (Albion Park) he would get down to around the 29.50 to 29.60 seconds.

“But, we won't be coming down here for a while. I am too old to be travelling down here too often. The next big target are the country clubs.”

The blistering pace of Travis Elson’s Fernando Bale and Nan's Magic litter was front and centre at Albion on Thursday night when three of that litter claimed the trifecta in the Queensland Short Course Final over 331 metres.

First was Hope’s Zone (18.66 seconds), followed by littermates Scrub’s Rocket and Super Scrub.

“This litter has just been unreal, just the speed they have early,” Elson said. 

“The mum was amazing and there's not one in the litter that can't get out of the box.

“It certainly is a good feeling to have three dogs like this. Over 300 metres you have every right to be confident that you won't get run down.

“Three weeks ago we were going to put five dogs in for the Gold Bullion, but when we saw the times some of these were running in the match races I said ‘let's throw them into the short course where we have a really good chance’. Which has paid off.”

The Elson family have won four of the seven editions of the short course feature since it was re-established in 2019.

Thursday night’s last feature, the Golden Oldies Final was taken out by Hara’s Cookie (Jemma Daley) in 30.03 seconds with Bogie Dominator (Michael Brauer) second and Honey Bar Cool (George Clegg) third.