Early speed puts Elson in line for a third Nationals start

By Pat McLeod

Travis Elson has twice tasted the atmosphere of the Nationals and gets a chance at a third bite when the cream of Queensland’s sprint talent converges on The Q on Thursday night.

This time around the Yandina Creek conditioner’s chances hinge on lightning starter Super Scrub in the first of two Queensland Sprint Championship heats over the 520 metres at the Parklands Q2 circuit.

“I believe Super Scrub is not out of the discussion when it comes to this heat and the Final,” Elson said.

“What puts him into races is his early speed. He is a dog that has the heart of Phar Lap. He gives everything - nine times out of 10, if he does get beaten it will be down the straight, when he gets run over."

Elson says Super Scrub will give himself every chance on Thursday night.

“He's been honest and his record shows that," the trainer said. 

“He has won just over $160,000 in prizemoney, so he is no slouch. He knows how to win that is for sure.”

The first four runners in each of Thursday night’s heats will progress through to next week’s state decider, with the winner to contest the Nationals at The Q on Saturday, August 30.

Elson’s two Nationals appearances to date have been with Bear’s Bullet at The Meadows in 2023 and Silver Stunner at Cannington in 2019.

Both chasers contested the sprint races and were unplaced.

The experienced trainer says injuries have restricted his kennel’s top performers’ chances on the Q2 to date but notes Super Scrub has shown a liking for the track at his one trial there.

“He trialled in 29.48 seconds on the track last week,” Elson said.

“I was really happy with that. Blue Blend (trained by Jeff Crawford) on that night went 29.35 seconds. 

“Of course, Blue Blend has set the mark for everyone at the moment and that's who you compare with. That dog certainly has a motor. He hasn't run time just once; he's done it on several occasions.

“Super Scrub is boxed beautifully for Thursday night (box eight). Out of the eight he will stay wide. He won't crash across. He will stay out there and work around. If he gets a clear run to the first turn, he should put a nice little gap on them around the back.”

Both sprint heats are dripping with quality.

“Super Scrub may improve a little having had the one look at the track, but he is an experienced race dog so I'm not sure if he could improve much on his trial time," Elson said. 

“He is three-and-a-half years old and is at his prime right now.”

The stand-out in the event is Blue Blend, who is in sensational form.

“They are super fields and it will be a super Final the following week,” Elson said.

“I believe each dog in my heat has a very suitable draw in this race.

“The one, Backcreek Benny (Selena Zammit) is perfectly drawn. He won't necessarily use that but will get onto the fence where he wants to be.

“Blue Blend (box four) has got a bit of room around him, with box five vacant. So, he is likely to get a good run. But, Blue Blend is definitely the dog to beat in these heats.”

Looking towards the Final, Elson went past heat two favourite Cumbria Jack (Tony Brett) and tips Tom Tzouvelis’ Daysea’s Rory as the other main threat.

“I think Daysea’s Rory, who can get out, is an underrated champion,” he said.

“He is the other big danger.”

Two heats of the Queensland Distance Championship over 710 metres will also be run on the Q2 on Thursday night, with Tim Britton’s Red Dirt Road strongly favoured to win through both heat and Final.

Earlier on Thursday, four heats of the Queensland Straight Track Championships will be run over the 350 metres on the Q Straight.