Young trainer Slater living the dream with Capalaba runner

By Jordan Gerrans

Training newcomer Matthew Slater admits reaching the Capalaba Young Guns series decider with kennel star Move It Georgia already feels like making a grand final.

The fawn bitch has won three of her last four starts, with her latest triumph occurring in a heat of the straight track Young Guns series on Sunday afternoon at Capalaba. 

She did so in 19.82 seconds from the pink alley to book her spot in the upcoming Final.

The daughter of Feral Franky has been handed the six starting position for the decider. 

For the Wynnum West-based Slater, he is thrilled to even be racing in feature series' in the early stages of his training tenure. 

Slater has been preparing a small team since late 2024 with Move It Georgia his only dog in work after Quicker Sophie recently retired. 

“Just to be competing against these dogs is big for me,” he said.

“I just train out of my backyard. 

"When I saw the fields for the heats, I thought she could probably run well and qualify for the Final.

“I didn't know if she'd win the heat or not, but she's got her work cut out for in the Final. I think she's the only bitch in the Final, so it'll be tough on Sunday, but she'll be giving it her everything.

“Down the straight, she gets to top speed and can run home really well. She's got a big motor.

“She's run times that'll make her competitive at Capalaba.”

Move It Georgia claimed the last of the four Young Guns heats on Sunday with the Tom Tzouvelis-prepared Sheriff the quickest of the crop in 19.26 seconds.

Despite Slater’s novice status as a trainer, he has enjoyed immense success in the couple of years with a lead and collar in hand. 

Quicker Sophie won 17 races and placed on 20 more occasions while Move It Georgia has nine triumphs on her resume from just 27 starts.

Quicker Sophie won a heat of the Carnival Masters series on the Q2 Parklands circuit in June of last year by three lengths. 

She was eventually retired in August of 2025 and is now set to enter the next phase of her life as a broodbitch.

“She's the queen of the yard at my place,” Slater said.

Slater owns and trains Move It Georgia.

As he works full-time away from the chasers, he is keen to keep his team small and is likely to race a dog or two from Quicker Sophie’s first litter with the remaining dogs to go to other trainers. 

While Slater is a relative beginner in the training ranks, he has been around the code for much of his life.

His father John enjoyed success as an owner alongside his brothers in the 1970s with Floodbird, a dog they raced to victory at the Gabba.

Slater grew up with winning pictures of Floodbird and other chasers on his walls as a kid.

He eventually got the spark to enter the sport himself a few years ago and purchased the pup that would become Quicker Sophie.

When the black bitch did not break in fast and Slater was battling to find a trainer to take her on, he eventually took out his own training ticket. 

“I love it,” he said of training.

“If I hadn't got a trainer for her, I never would have been doing this.

“But, when I started training her, it was great. 

"I would go to the track, talk to other trainers and everyone's helpful in that way.

“I couldn't really see myself not having a dog for the next few years. I often handle, catch and box dogs for other trainers, as well.”

Robert Ayres is a dog man that Slater has leaned on for advice in recent years.

Following Sunday’s Final, Slater has his eyes on returning to circle racing with Move It Georgia.

The Young Gunnettes series, which will be run at Group 3 level on the Q1 Lakeside surface, through May is their main aim.

He believes she has the talent; it is just about the bitch learning to race in a field compared to down the straight.

“If she gets a clear run, she's got the motor to win races around the circle,” he said.

“So, it's just about her field sense around the circle and not running into everyone else in the race.”