Kempsey trainer eyes more Albion Park riches

By Alex Nolan

With border closures behind us, you can expect to see Kempsey trainer Nathan Goodwin’s name in Queensland form guides more often, plus a few extra kilometres on his odometer.

Goodwin has already made the four-and-a-half hour drive between Kempsey and Brisbane once this week for trials and will complete the return journey a further two times to launch more hit-and-run raids at Albion Park on Thursday and Sunday.  

“It’s a lot better than it used to be with the new highways,” he said.

“It’s no different to go to Albion Park or Wentworth Park as I’m literally on the half-way point.”  

Goodwin will bring a team of four to Albion Park on Thursday, headlined by Angry Blizzard, who will exit from box five in race nine on the card.

Angry Blizzard beat home his kennel mates Zipping Brady and Angry Monsoon to win a Masters fifth grade race at ‘The Creek’ on January 27, before copping a check early in a race on February 3 to finish last.

“He’s a very fast dog but doesn’t have race smarts,” Goodwin said.

“When he cops a bump that’s normally not helpful.”

However, he bounced back to win a mixed fourth and fifth grade event at Wentworth Park last weekend and enters the Best 8 over 520 metres in good form.

“He’s going as good as he ever has and rediscovered some of his old ability,” Goodwin said.

“It’s a big jump in class but that’s what you’ve got to contend with when you win races.

“He’s eligible for Masters events in New South Wales in two weeks, so you can expect to see a lot more of him at Wentworth Park from March onwards.”

Zipping Brady won at his latest Albion Park outing on February 3, before heading back to Wentworth Park to go down by a whisker to that track’s most winningest greyhound, Sunburnt Highway.

“We certainly gave it a bit of a shake,” Goodwin said.

“He’s in a rich purple patch, Brady.

“He’s a very loyal dog and I haven’t had many that loyal before. He has a genuine crack and it’s fair to say he’s one of the most intelligence race dogs I’ve seen. It’s what he does in a race, weaving in and out, even when buried back in the field.”

He will jump from box seven in the final race on the card, the second of two Masters fifth grade events over 520 metres. 

“Box seven is a hindrance and the eight dog Jimary Spitfire will bang over,” Goodwin said.

“He might need to steer clear of it but if he can get a clear run, and they run around the 30.20 mark, he’ll be there somewhere.”

Angry Monsoon and Rebecca Gay will contest the first Masters event, which comes up in race two, where they’ll jump from boxes one and three, respectively.

“Angry Monsoon is perfectly boxed in one and gets every hope,” Goodwin said.

“His last two starts were diabolical, but he drew boxes seven and eight. He’s certainly a different dog drawn on the rails. He’ll put his best foot forward on Thursday night.

“Rebecca Gay is stepping up to the 500 metres (after winning over 400 metres at The Gardens on Saturday) but that won’t be a problem for her.

“They’re both good chances but Monsoon gets his chance from that draw.”

Goodwin will then return to Brisbane on Sunday with three greyhounds in Lenny’s Chevy, Tonight and Zipping Renegade.

“Lenny is a very fast dog and is on his way back from injury,” Goodwin said.

“Tonight trialled well on Tuesday.

“Zipping Renegade’s form is terrible but he’s a good dog and I would love to see him win a Pathways Novice.”