Powerhouse kennels combine to dominate Rockhampton QGOLD Final

By Pat McLeod

The dominant Tzouvelis and Boody kennels have combined to cast their shadow over Wednesday’s $15,400 QGOLD Final at Rockhampton.

Ken Boody, the premier trainer at the Central Queensland club for the past two years, has five runners in the Final.

Three of those have been sent north into his care from the metropolitan Tom Tzouvelis kennel.

The Brisbane-based trainer is having a sensational run, his winning form continuing on Sunday when his distance chaser Scintillate won the inaugural running of The Clarence over 660 metres at Grafton.

Tzouvelis’ trio in Wednesday’s Final are his home-bred, Maurice Minor and Del Rey litter-brothers – Mr. Takeover, Lightning Buzz and Tagovailoa.

Boody’s other pair in the QGOLD feature are Who’s Billy, from powerhouse metropolitan kennel, Churchable’s Cyndie Elson, and his own youngster, Tijuana Twinkle.

Rounding off the Boody saturation of this race is aunt and uncle, Amber and Mick Boody, having two runners in the Final – the very well-credentialled More Peaches and promising youngster Whiskey Tango.

In fact, the only non-Boody starter in the Final is Juanita Thompson’s City Way.

“I’ve had five in a race before, but never a Final,” Ken Boody offered.

“It will be a very interesting race. Of mine, Tagovailoa has the times and he is very strong through the line.

“However, Mr. Takeover drawing the one will certainly give him (Tagovailoa in box seven) something to chase and when you are back in traffic you only need that one check to put you out of winning calculations.

“So, Mr. Takeover and Who's Billy (box two) will both be in front and whether Tagovailoa will get the run at them, it just depends on what happens in running.”

Outside of his five, Boody said the obvious danger was 2023 Townsville Cup winner More Peaches (box six).

“I am hopeful that my two on the rail will be able to hold her out,” Ken Boody said.

Ken Boody said the strong flavour of metropolitan dogs in the Final was an indication of a wider trend.

He said there was an increased flow of city chasers heading to the regions and vice versa.

“There is certainly more traffic going both ways these days, from the city to regional tracks and also in the other direction,” he said.

“There are grades on offer in the country and with the prize money available you would be mad not to send dogs to regional centres.

“There is no doubt the level of racing at the country clubs has risen in recent years and you can see that with a number of country dogs racing with success on the metropolitan tracks.

“However, it is no longer the case where metropolitan dogs are sent north for easy pickings. They have to be good dogs to win at the country centres as well. There are some very good dogs up here.”

Ken Boody said more young dogs were being sent north in Queensland as part of their schooling.

“I have seen a number of the city kennels sending their young dogs up here, ones that need a confidence boost and a trip to the country has done them the world of good," he said. 

“They pick up some confidence and it is not just through success in racing. The change in environment seems to be good for them and they mature quickly.

“These dogs return to metropolitan racing better all-round race dogs.”

After dominating the trainers’ premiership in Rockhampton in recent years, Boody knows he has plenty of competition to retain that crown in 2024.

After almost two months of racing so far this year he sits in third place on 182 points, behind current leader Juanita Thompson (256 points) and Christine Pollard (230 points).

Although early days in the premiership race, Boody welcomes the competition, which he says is great for the sport.

“Christine has a good litter coming through at the moment. I think there are about 10 of them and they all are pretty handy dogs,” he said.

“The Thompsons are also breeding and putting in the hard work and getting the rewards for that.”

Boody also applauds the Racing Queensland QGOLD concept, which offers races with increased prize money for Queensland-bred dogs.

“QGOLD is a great idea,” he said.

“It certainly plays a role when you consider breeding and also buying greyhounds.

“If I am looking around for a couple of pups I won't look at anything that is bred outside of Queensland.”