By Alex Nolan
Trainer Kevin Murnane and partner Jeannine are settling into new surroundings at Helidon in the Lockyer Valley and at the same time, have surrounded themselves with two exciting South Australian visitors just in time for the 2022 TAB Ipswich Cup series.
Million Dollar Chase place getter He’s On Fire and kennel mate He’s All Purpose have arrived in Queensland with the looming Golden Greys Summer Carnival in their sights.
Owned and trained by Tim Richards, both have campaigned in the Sunshine State for Murnane in the past.
He’s All Purpose contested the National Straight Track Championship at Capalaba in 2021 and He’s On Fire claimed the Lightning Final over 395 metres at Albion Park during the winter carnival.
He’s On Fire will miss the heats of the Ipswich Cup on Thursday due to a groin injury, which was identified back at home, but which Murnane is treating in time for the summer features, including a possible tilt at the Group 1 Gold Bullion in January and February.
He’s All Purpose trialled at Ipswich last Saturday, completing the 520 metres in a respectable 30.68 seconds, including a 5.31 second first section, ahead of Thursday’s series opening heat.
Murnane said his prior experience with He’s All Purpose has him confident there is still plenty of improvement to come in the coming weeks, should he qualify for the $150,000 Final.
“I picked him up on the Saturday afternoon, trialled on the Sunday, again on the Wednesday, and he raced in the national Final the following Sunday,” Murnane said.
“He improved five-tenths in a week.
"I remember saying to Tim ‘it’s a shame the program didn’t allow him three weeks here to trial without pressure.’
“I told Tim he would go on to bigger and better things back then, and he has.”
Since his first trip north, He’s All Purpose has raced a further 35 times for 17 wins and a narrow Group 2 runner-up finish in the Howard Ashton Final at Angle Park.
He now gets his chance to compete for Group 1 prize money, albeit at Group 2 level, when he exits box one in race three on Thursday.
The noted fast beginner in South Australia will be looking to hold out the likes of Rising Stars winner Hara’s Skye, Ipswich Derby winner Fearghal Monelli, Power Moves and She’s Sweet in the 520 metre heat, the first of six.
“We can’t pick the heats but, to me, it looks the toughest on paper,” Murnane said.
“The one box will help quite a bit and he should be able to hold them out.
“The two might go left a little bit, but if he jumps as good, or better than he did the other night, he can hold.”
Murnane has supreme confident in both greyhounds’ ability to race at a high level in the Sunshine State.
“I think Tim may have underrated these dogs and I kept saying ‘don’t, they’re better than you think’,” Murnane said.
“He’s On Fire will be set for the Group 1 over summer and we’ll see how He’s All Purpose goes too.
“The change of scenery might do He’s All Purpose the world of good up here and he can start reaching the full potential I believe he has. Not that he has done anything wrong at home, but I believe he can step up even more.
“Tim and I have been friends for quite a few years and we have great rapport. We bounce ideas off each other and have plenty of respect for each other.”
Murnane and Jeannine made the permanent move from South Australia to Queensland in 2020, taking up residence with Bill and Jan Warner.
The couples had met in South Australia some years earlier before the Warners sent their bitch Matriculate to be prepared by Murnane down south, where she would win 15 races.
They recently relocated to a leased property at Helidon and have been there for two weeks, with He’s All Purpose and He’s On Fire in tow.
“I’ve had them up here for three weeks and although they were used to the old kennels, we’ve had to settle them into new ones,” Murnane said.
Murnane gave special mention to the Ipswich Greyhound Racing Club and president Rob Essex for allowing He’s All Purpose to conduct a special trial on Saturday.
“Initially, it looked like we were going to have to trial on Tuesday at 4pm but Tim and myself weren’t happy about the fact it would be in warm weather, with just two days recovery and this dog is coming out of a climate where it has been 15 and 16 degrees,” Murnane said.
“A big thanks to Rob Essex and his staff for allowing us to trial after the last race.”
Essex is eagerly anticipating the six heats and $150,000 Final.
The Ipswich Greyhound Racing Club has a raft of entertainment planned for the evening, including face-painting and jumping castles for the little ones.
But, Essex said the main thing punters can expect at Ipswich over the next two weeks is good, old fashioned, country hospitality – with cold beer, hot food and even hotter racing.
“The staff in the kitchen have done a tremendous job gearing up for the event and we’ll also have a bookie on course for the night,” Essex said.
Essex said it was pleasing to see a crop of emerging stars lining up in this year’s Ipswich Cup, with some of the nation’s top liners currently battling out in Melbourne.
“We didn’t get as many interstate visitors as we would’ve liked, but with the Rising Stars last week and all those nice, young dogs that can run quick times, we’re in for a great series," he said.