By Brennan Ryan
Greyhound racing heads north to Townsville with the North Queensland Cup fast approaching.
Battle lines will be drawn thick from Bundaberg all the way to Townsville with all the topflight sprinters looking to take aim on the club’s second most prestigious race for over ten years.
Local trainer Brad Belford has indicated that he will have a team set to face the 498-metre event, with heats commencing on next Tuesday, November 24.
Belford is no stranger to the Cup, having won the race twice with Don’t Listen and Murphy Rumble.
“With the prizemoney on offer, we should get strong nominations for the race this year,” Belford said.
This year’s Cup is worth $17,800, with $11,200 paid out to the winner plus a rug and trophy.
Despite his current form, trainer Brad Belford has indicated that Murphy Rumble will be in the Series.
“Murphy Rumble (last year’s winner) will be given a chance to go back-to-back,” Belford said.
“Darren Taylor is no stranger in travelling up to Townsville and most likely will bring a team up for the race.
“There are local trainers here that have dogs looking to take on what comes for the Cup heats.
“Andrew Wooler has a team that is racing well, and I expect to see him in the heats with runners too.”
Townsville Derby winner Major Gibson will be another runner for Belford when the heats kick off.
The North Queensland Cup has a great list of previous winners with Neville (Errol) Waters putting the polish to See Blue, who was the inaugural winner in 2010 beating home Big Enforcer by 7 lengths.
Michael Hickmott raced ex-Brisbane dog Post Box to victory in 2014 and still holds the race record.
Townsville has enjoyed huge popularity in recent years with an increase in prizemoney and staging a second meeting weekly on top of the usual Tuesday night program.