Caption: Connections with Townsville’s Country Cup representatives (from left) Henryk Bale, Balts Orson, Miss Priddle (Rhonda Essery) and Samshu. Photo: Louise Partland.

Qld Country Wrap With MIKE HILL

RACING in country Queensland has never been more lucrative with increased prizemoney and it’s about to get even better.

As a group of regional trainers prepare for this month’s Country Cup (February 2) – for some their first-ever appearance at Albion Park – Racing Queensland has announced major increases to prizemoney for all regional cups.

The Country Cup, first run and won by the Glen Olsen-trained Innocent Man in 2018, has had its purse lifted to $18,500, with winning connections taking home $12,025, up from $10,205 last year.

The eight finalists (not in box draw order) for the next Thursday’s Country Cup at Albion Park are: Say Some Words, Sholto, Black Delight, Blue Jeans Talk, Miss Priddle, Balts Orson, Samshu, Henryk Bale.

But the big increase comes to the three regional cups – Bundaberg, Rockhampton and Townsville – with a massive $55,000 injection for each feature from $57,500, to $112,500.

Each winner in 2023 will receive $75,000.

The regional cups will continue to be supported by a Wildcard Event at each track which guarantees at least one ‘local’ runner in each regional cup final.

(Wildcards – with their own set of restrictions – are open only to locally-trained greyhounds with the winner gaining direct entry into that club’s cup final.)

Greyhound Operations Manager Doug Lutherborrow said the Country Cup was a significant part of a huge night of racing at Albion Park that features the Group 1 Gold Bullion, the G3 Gold Cup as well as the Queensland Short Course final.

“It allows us to showcase country-trained greyhounds on such a big night of racing,” he said.

“We have gradually lifted prizemoney over the years from the initial $7000 ($4900 winner) in 2018 to where it is today, and each trainer receives $1000 in travelling costs on top of the prizemoney.”

Bundaberg back in action

BUNDABERG president Steve Bland is a happy man.

Racing is ready to resume at the club’s redeveloped complex and the Bundaberg Cup in late March is carrying record prizemoney.

“It’s fantastic,” said Bland.

“The track work has been completed and it looks fabulous and there has been a huge increase in prizemoney for our Cup.

“I didn’t expect the prizemoney to go up some much.

“It’s going to be great for the club, great for the industry and great for the region.”

The Bundy track is expected to reopen for trials from Monday, February 6, with a non-TAB ‘test’ meeting scheduled for Monday, February 20, followed by the first TAB meeting a week later.

The club’s Wildcard series is planned for March 6 and 13 with the $112,500 Cup series set for March 20 and 27.

DOGS worth following:

RYBOLT (Orson Allen-Deja Vu Rock) hasn’t been out of the money in seven starts, including four successive wins, since joining Central Queensland trainers Clinton and Juanita Thompson at their Tungamull complex.

The brindle sprinter was previously prepared by Tony Apap at Gatton (west of Brisbane) and the respected conditioner has a high opinion of the dog.

“He will definitely go through the grades up there,” he said.

Rybolt and his ‘stronger’ brother City Way, on the way back from an injury forced break, are likely starters in the upcoming Ipswich Auction series.

City Way is a 30.32s winner over the Albion Park 520m and with a 10: 1-5-2 record is certain to test the best in CQ once back in action.

THE Harold Hovi youngster Cry Wolf is putting together an impressive resume at Townsville.

The black Zambora Brockie-Zipping Spring sprinter has won eight of 10 starts, clocking BOM on six occasions, and is quickly working towards top grade.

NEW acquisition to the powerful Brad Belford kennels, Winlock All Over, has quickly stamped herself as a chaser to watch in coming months.

Already a three-time Wentworth Park winner over 520m, with a best 30.01s to her credit, the white and black bitch (Fernando Bale-Jacqui Blax) impressed with a first-up win over 380m at the Townsville Showgrounds circuit last month.

Winlock All Over, previously from the strong Andy Lord kennels, clocked a smart 21.88s, winning by four-and-a-quarter lengths.

The run impressed Belford,  particularly the way she powered to the line.