Cyndie’s Cyndie win ensures another magical Elson chapter

By Pat McLeod

Cyndie’s Cyndie not only proved herself over 600 metres at Albion Park on Thursday night, but also ensured another chapter in a magical greyhound story.

“This win was not only fantastic, but the perfect medicine for mum and dad,” kennel spokesman, and trainer, Warren Elson said.

The young bitch had just conquered a fifth grade heat and her first trip over 600 metres. 

“Mum and dad both love this one’s mother (Cyndie’s Magic) and they can see something special about to happen again," Warren said. 

“They have both been through a lot health-wise and this little girl is helping them smile again.”

‘Mum and dad’ are Queensland greyhound training and breeding juggernauts, Cyndie and Bill Elson.

Over the past decade the pair have turned their Churchable property, west of Brisbane, into a greyhound racing goldmine on the back of an astute breeding program.

One of their major success stories was Cyndie’s Magic – 152 starts for 45 wins, 67 placings and $425,074 in prize money.

Cyndie Elson is well on the mend from recent back surgery and Bill is facing an on-going battle with dementia.

However, the kennel’s latest star, Cyndie’s Cyndie, has been a revelation for them.

The young Dyna Double One and Cyndie's Magic chaser had already begun carving out an impressive 520 metre career at Albion Park, unbeaten in her last five starts over that distance at ‘The Creek’.

However, her kennel believed that wasn’t her best distance.

“Mum and I have been waiting to put this dog over the 600 metres, but we were waiting for the right race and not throw her in the deep end too quickly,” Warren Elson said.

“She found the right distance, right box. She was fantastic.

“She got a little bit tired late, but for her first go, that was pretty good and she will only get stronger.

“I am extremely happy. You could not ask for anything more for her first 600 metres. I believe there is a really good race win over 600 metres in this dog. I'm sure we will find that during this upcoming winter carnival in Brisbane.”

Cyndie’s Cyndie jumped to the front and continued to extend her lead until the closing stages, winning by a length and a half over experienced middle-distance racer, Sanisha (trained by Tom Tzouvelis) and veteran 700 metre campaigner Fast Milkman (Tim Britton) in 34.77 seconds. 

Recently anointed Queensland Greyhound Racing Hall Of Famer, Tony Apap, was given the perfect birthday gift on Thursday night with Very Handy notching a personal best over the Albion Park 520 metre trip. 

The talented sprinter scored a decisive win, powering to the line to overtake Travis Elson’s Super Scrub (second) with She Is Fire (Mark Moroney) third, in 29.81 seconds. 

“I turned 66 today and they tell me that is the Devil’s number,” Apap said with a smile.

“The dog (Very Handy) certainly jumped a lot better. He used his one box and so you can't ask for more than that.

“When Travis’ dog (Super Scrub) was leading I thought my dog was in a bit of trouble, but he kept coming.”

Apap said a Rockhampton Cup campaign was definitely a consideration.

Heats for the Rockhampton Cup are on April 19 before the Final on April 26.

“It (the Rockhampton Cup) is something we will have to think about,” Apap said.

“I quite enjoyed competing for the Bundaberg Cup recently. We won a bit of prize money (fourth) and I think the travel and going somewhere different can be very good for a dog.

“Most pleasing was seeing that the dog is continuing to improve.”

Brisbane trainer Tom Tzouvelis, who is experiencing a purple patch with his busy kennel, has ear-marked The 715 at The Gardens as the next major goal for his arsenal of distance dogs.

The heats for that event are on April 26 before the Final on May 3.

That is on the back of another double on Thursday night at Albion Park.

Tzouvelis’ Scintillate (first) and Amendola quinellaed a free for all race over 710 metres (winning time 42.31 seconds) before I’m Old School successfully stepped back up to 600 metres, winning in 35.09 seconds.

"All of the stayers that we have will be going to The Gardens for The 715, if they're going alright,” Tzouvelis said after Scintillate’s victory.

“I'm not saying that they are all necessarily good enough for that, but how often do you see a race for half a million dollars for stayers.

“So, we are throwing our hat in the ring and will go there and try.

“Scintillate was a little bit underdone, so I was a little bit surprised at how well she finished. It was a massive run.”

Trainer Shane Ellis has taken another small step in unravelling what he believes could be a sizeable pool of talent in regally bred sisters Gold Sequani and Celtic Goddess (Fernando Bale and Sequana).

On Thursday night Gold Sequani finished strongly to out-gun Cheers For Bella (Tony Apap) and Royal Voltage (John Watts) in 30.23 seconds in a novice race over 520 metres.

The bitch now has two wins and four placings from seven starts, but has just been with Ellis for her past three outings.

“The owner (Russell Farrell) offered me both litter sisters originally, but I only had room for one, Celtic Goddess,” the Burpengary  trainer explained.

“But, I was recently able to take Gold Sequani as well and am rapt because I believe both could have ability.

“I know that Celtic Goddess certainly has ability, but she is out injured at the moment after just four starts for three wins and a second.

“We will just have to see how this one progresses. She didn’t start as well as she can, but finished well.”