Caption: John Thompson and Simone Kellermeyer with Barefoot Zulu after his 29.81 record run at Ipswich this week. (Photo: Just Greyhound Photos)
Pat McLeod’s weekly wrap of news from the Ipswich track
John Thompson wasn’t surprised when his freakishly fast greyhound, Barefoot Zulu, broke the Ipswich 520m track record on Tuesday.
Most people in greyhound racing know the dog has serious speed. At his sixth start he broke the Grafton 450m track record in August last year.
That was after winning the Grafton Maiden Classic.
But a troublesome and persistent toe injury has been a major reason why Barefoot Zulu’s career isn’t littered with big race wins so far.
To date he has started just 15 times for six wins, five placings and $35,340.
So, when he won on Tuesday, by almost 12 lengths in the new mark of 29.81, Thompson didn’t jump on the ‘big race potential’ bandwagon.
“I know he can run those sorts of times,” the Spring Creek (south of Gatton, in south-east Queensland) based trainer said.
“He’s been doing that since he first trialed, posting times that make people just shake their heads.
“So, no, I wasn’t surprised.
“But I was happy – really happy because of the smile that it put on Simone’s face. (Simone Kellermeyer is Thompson’s long-time partner and the owner of the dog.)
“She was just so happy and the support she has received since from family and friends is just incredible. I reckon she has received more than a hundred phone calls and messages.
“We are thankful for any winner that comes our way because we are so passionate about what we do.
“But this dog is special to Simone, so of course I would like to see him do well.”
And that is part of the reason he and Simone have decided to keep the dog at home, on their 10 acres.
“I don’t consider myself a good trainer,” Thompson says with a laugh.
“And we have been offered a lot of money for this dog – six figures.
“He hasn’t had a lot of starts, has certainly had some success, but has also had a lot of bad luck.
“Why sell the dog that you have been waiting all your life to own.
“It was Simone’s decision. It is her dog. So, we will train the dog and just see what happens.
“He had the toe injury and we decided just to put him in cotton wool, and go back to basics with him.
“And he seems to be really happy, which is always so important.
“Simone lets all her family and friends know when he is racing. He really is something special for us.
“But in a way, all of our dogs are.
“We take training really personally. We want our dogs to always be racing at their best. There are no excuses.
“I have been around greyhounds all my life – third generation.
“I handled my first race dog when I was nine years old, almost 50 years ago.
“I just love it. It certainly has its ups and downs and we have had our share of tough times.
“But it also brings some really good times as well.”
So, what’s next for the dual-record holder, Barefoot Zulu?
According to Thompson the away trips are on hold while they enjoy racing him at Ipswich at Albion and then of course there is The Q.
“I can’t wait for that facility to open,” he says.
“And I can’t wait to see how this dog goes on that big one-turn track.”
Barefoot Zulu was whelped on July 5, 2022, which means he will not have turned three by the official opening of The Q in May.
With the Ipswich track likely to stage its final meeting before the end of March, the Sennachie x Kooringa Maizie speedster’s 29.81 record is likely to be etched there forever.
The previous mark, 29.83, was set by Ray Burman’s Blue Hornet in February, 2023.
Caption: Tuta Queen (1) winning Thursday’s Dash For Cash Final (288m) at Ipswich. (Photo: Just Greyhound Photos)
Ultra consistent short-course chaser Tuta Queen stamped her authority on the 288m distance at Ipswich, taking out Thursday’s Dash For Cash Final in 17.11.
The Cecil Druery-trained bitch kept race favourite Good Odds Rascal (Brad Belford) at bay, by half a length, with Cyclone Tilly (Merv Page) third.
Druery also picked up fourth prizemoney with Farmor Envy.
Of Tuta Queen’s 44 starts, 10 have been over the Ipswich 288m. She has won seven of those and been placed twice.
Caption: Darren Russell (centre) and Savanna Beach after victory in the Corporate Dollars Challenge at Ipswich last Saturday night. (Photo: Just Greyhound Photos)
Darren Russell may have grabbed the lion’s share of the Corporate Dollars Challenge prize packet on Saturday night at the showgrounds track, but couldn’t stop good mate Paul McIlveen getting his share.
In the lead-up to the final of the annual 520m feature, Russell joked that he would be aiming to quinella the race and denying McIlveen any of the major spoils.
Russell won with Savanna Beach in 30.40. He also claimed third with litter sister Swift Beach.
However, McIlveen squeezed in between to grab second with Bluey Is Boujee. And just to rub it in, he also collected the fourth-placed prizemoney with Bad And Bertha.
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Russell is certainly in the running to continue plundering the Ipswich feature season, when those same two runners – Savanna Beach and Swift Beach – contest the heats of the Golden Chase Sprint (431m) on Friday.
This series, which has a heats, semi-final, and final format, has attracted a massive 10 heats, all filled with graduates of the annual Ipswich Auction.
These heats are scattered with already proven chasers, such as John McCarthy’s Affluent, who to date has accrued $66,000 in prizemoney from 29 starts and with performances such as winning the recent Qgold Emerging Sprinters Final (520m) and placing third in the prestigious Dave Brett Memorial (520m) – both at Albion Park.
This 431m feature offers $14,000 to the eventual finale winner (Saturday, March1).
It is followed soon after by the 520m version, with heats March 15, semi-finals March 22 and $60,000 Final on March 29.
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Trainers with multiple wins at Ipswich meetings over the past week:
Tuesday: Ian Hoggan 2 – Professor Nessa, Profesor Samson; Stephen Neary 2 – Lucora, Cake Is Great.
Thursday: Marie Westwood 2 – Katie Cuddles, Blue Serenade; Patrick Lavis 2 – Bye Bye Robyn, Lamia Modena; Brad Belford 2 – Urana Muffin, Butcher.
