Postman Pat favourite for A$1 million Brisbane Cup
Pictured: Postman Pat will wear the pink rug again in the Brisbane Cup on Friday night. Photo credit: Michael McInally.
Friday evening, at 10:43pm, looms as a potential history-making occasion for New Zealand greyhound racing when the star Kiwi greyhound Postman Pat is loaded away into the Albion Park 520m eight-trap as the warm $1.80 favourite for the A$1 million Sky Racing Brisbane Cup final.
History-making, because no Kiwi-owned and bred greyhound has ever contested a race that offers a million dollars in prizemoney. It is material that dreams are made from!
Postman Pat has taken Australian greyhound racing by storm since he crossed the Tasman, emphatically winning all seven of his assignments, in meeting best times, that his new Victorian-based trainer Jason Thompson has set him.
Firstly, let’s go back to last Thursday’s 520m Group 1 heat.
Putting in a number of power-packed strides when approaching the winning post the first time around was sufficient to propel the Kiwi chasing sensation Postman Pat clear to build an unassailable Brisbane Cup heat race lead.
From there on, it was a freewheeling display that the Thompson-mentored class act displayed, when wearing the pink racing vest, cruising to the judge to return his quick 29.53 520m gallop.
Postman Pat returned the fastest heat time from the seven cutthroat heats contested for the mega-rich event. He has been allocated the same eight-trap for the A$650,000 to-the-winner decider, with the hot field being stacked full of early pace.
Postman Pat is owned and was bred by Canterbury industry enthusiast Jose Arthur, who along with husband Donald, has been on a ride of a lifetime with the son of Hooked On Scotch and Birdie Tee.
That ride includes the Arthurs viewing Postman Pat’s heat victory in Namibia during their recent visit to Africa, which included Botswana.
“We are very, very excited about Glen (kennel name) making the Brisbane Cup final. We watched his heat delayed on a scratchy Wi-Fi connection – it was a nervous time, which turned into elation,” recalled Jose.
The Arthurs are heading over to Brisbane to catch up with their outstanding greyhound.
“We are going over on Friday with our daughter Monique and her partner, and we will link up with my sister and her partner,” she explained.
The Arthurs have absolutely no hesitation in acknowledging that they wouldn’t be in their current exciting position without the astute advice they were given by the late, great GRNZ Hall of Fame trainer Ray Adcock.
“It was Ray who recommended we buy Mini’s Fantasy, who turned into a prolific broodbitch for us. From her, we got Birdie Tee and Ray insisted to us just before he passed that we use Hooked On Scotch on her.”
And Donald picks up on that aspect. “Ray was absolutely adamant that we breed from Mini’s Fantasy. It has been amazing how many good dogs that have come from that lineage, which just seems to get better and better. It is unbelievable that one of our dogs is racing in a million-dollar race,” he enthused.
“It is tremendous to see that New Zealand-bred greyhounds can be competitive in Australia. Tony (Hart) and Kirsty (Taylor) have been fantastic in taking over the training team and it is great that they are carrying on with Ray’s legacy,” advised Donald about Postman Pat’s former trainer.
“Ray Adcock will be to the forefront of our minds on Friday,” stated Jose.
Understandably, Jason Thompson was rapt with Postman Pat’s heat win.
“He did what we wanted him to do – it was a quality effort by him. He didn’t ping the lids, but still got the job done – a very pleasing run.
“He pulled up good and that’s what we wanted to hear. It’s now up to the dog to get it right. It’s a good draw for him – he likes the eight, from where he has a good record from. It is a very strong field and I fully respect the quality of the opposition.”
“To win the final, he has to start quickly and put himself straight into the race. If he does that, then yes, he will be hard to beat,” advised Thompson, who also says he’s flying up to Brisbane on Friday.
“I have only spoken to the Arthurs on the phone, so I’m going up there, as they are making the effort to come over.”
And when asked if he was aware of the massive impact that Ray Adcock had on New Zealand greyhound racing, Thompson responded with, “I never actually met him, however, I am aware that he was one of the best, if not the best ever over there (NZ).
“Postman Pat is a New Zealand dog and always will be – hopefully, the huge amount of support he has will carry him through.”
Thompson has entrusted the care of Postman Pat to the hugely successful local mentor Tony Brett for his Brisbane Cup campaign – a placement that has proved hugely successful over previous years.
“I am entirely relaxed with Tony looking after my dogs up there. Our kennels appear to be very similar, with my dogs seamlessly settling in there,” explained Thompson.
Brett was full of praise about Postman Pat following his heat win. Included in his post-race interview with Sky Racing was him making the following reference about Postman Pat: “I don’t think we have seen a dog like this since Fernando Bale.” Now that is a massive wrap for any greyhound, especially from a respected conditioner like Brett!
Owing to circumstances, Postman Pat’s former Kiwi trainer Tony Hart will not be making the trip across the ditch to watch his former charge.
“It’s just the way things have worked out. Never mind, I’ll be like everyone else glued to the TV. His draw is beautiful for him, especially if he comes out running. Hey, if it wasn’t for Ray Adcock, none of us would be in this position,” explained Hart.
And Donald Arthur will play a round of golf prior to heading down the road to Albion Park.
“I’ve booked a round at the Royal Queensland course. Hopefully, it will be celebrations at the 19th-hole (Albion Park) later,” he chuckled.
And when time permits, Jason Thompson also enjoys playing the occasional round of golf.
“We definitely have to arrange to play a round (with Donald). Hopefully, I can qualify Postman Pat for a big Melbourne final so we can have a game.”
By Peter Fenemor
