Townsville trek takes a toll on Elson’s young Maestro

By Pat McLeod

Sunshine Coast trainer Travis Elson has given his young speedster Pop’s Maestro the week off leading into Thursday night’s very competitive Molly Campbell Silver Dollars Final (520m) on the Ladbrokes Q2 Parklands circuit.

The home-bred chaser was the fastest of the four heat winners last week, however Elson was a little wary of his uncharacteristic ‘tired’ run to the line.

“That’s normally not him,” he said of that finish.

“He was tired last week and I think that is a result of our recent Townsville Cup campaign.

“We drove up and back for both the heats and the final.

“The trip to Townsville is 15 hours, so a round trip of 30 hours, which meant he was in the car for 60 hours across those two weeks.

“For a two-year-old it was just too much for him.

“In past years I have driven to Townsville, but I have stayed up there between the heats and final. This time I came home.

“So, as a result, he has the week off leading into this final.”

Pop’s Maestro finished fifth in the Townsville Cup and Elson is keen to see how the promising youngster progresses against more tough opposition, such as Thursday night’s final.

 “From day dot he has run good times and you have to like them when they do that,” Elson said.

“Although he has always shown promise, the problem with him is that he is no Bear’s Bullet (Elson’s highest earning, Group-class chaser) as far as consistency out of the boxes go.

“He will sometimes make it a bit hard for himself.

“But he can run time. He is all chase and he's still just a big baby although he has just turned two.

“He is very immature as a two-year-old.

“For him, everything is a bull-at-a-gate and I think that is his problem at the start. He is just too keen.

“Hopefully some maturity might correct that.”

Elson is concerned by the box draw on Thursday night, with Pop’s Maestro in the four.

“We may be in a bit of strife coming out of the four,” he said.

“I would have preferred to draw outside of Moet Magic (box 6), who is likely to go to the fence. Although my dog may do exactly the same, so the result may not be as bad as I am anticipating.

“I have no doubt that Moet Magic is the dog to beat in the field. She is the most experienced, is strong and can run time.

“Another one who I believe will be in contention is Holly Taylor’s Chad’s Girl. It will be the improvement dog off the red.

“She had the eight last week and had to work right around the field. That dog only had the one trial on the Q2 and is showing plenty of potential.

“Dennis Barnes’ dog, Whiskey Mcgraw (box 2), is also one to watch.

“This is not an easy race, but I have no doubt the biggest danger is out of the six (Moet Magic).”

Elson is cautiously optimistic around the future of Pop’s Maestro.

“He will continue to mature, but he certainly has got a long way to go,” he said.

“He has ability, but hasn’t raced quality dogs too often.

“Hopefully on Thursday night we see him get clearly away and then he will do his best.”