Here Wolfe back to happy hunting ground in the city

By Jordan Gerrans​

Premier North Queensland conditioner Bradley Belford is confident the out of sorts Here Wolfe will relish a return to Albion Park over the coming weeks.

Approaching three years and five months of age, Here Wolfe has not won in his last seven appearances at Townsville’s Showgrounds track.

He returns to Brisbane Greyhound Racing Club this Thursday in a best eight event over 520 metres.

Here Wolfe is a litter mate to champion Queensland dog Jay Is Jay and Golden Easter Egg semi-final runner All Natural. 

Here Wolfe will tackle a small field of chasers that regularly race in black-type company so Belford is not optimistic the son of Sennachie can return to winning ways this week.

But, the Gumlow-based trainer in Townsville believes that when he gets up to 600 metres, that is when he will put his best foot forward once again at Albion Park.

The fawn dog is a seven-time winner at ‘headquarters’ as well as 11 minor placings from 25 attempts when he previously was in the care of Selena Zammit before transferring to Jedda Cutlack’s kennel.

Here Wolfe is yet to race beyond 520 metres in his 46 career starts so far. 

“He is going all right but he needs a freshen up from Townsville and wants 600 metres,” Belford said.

“He loved Albion Park, that is his go as that is where he had done everything with him early days there.

“He is screaming to go a bit further. He is going to be a masters dog in the near future as well.”

Belford has sent Here Wolfe to the care of Tom Tzouvelis for his upcoming Brisbane racing campaign.

Belford trains alongside his wife Jackie and is having another strong campaign with the lead and collar, registering 41 winners so far.

He ticked past 40 for the year on Tuesday evening at Townsville when he prepared a winning double as Federal Remark and Sacramento got the cash.

The leading dog man in North Queensland put the polish on a career-best season in 2022, preparing 188 winners that smashed his previous high mark.

Belford is exploring options around relocating his kennel to South East Queensland so his dogs can race at different tracks such as Albion Park, Ipswich, Capalaba and eventually The Q.

The Q has been unveiled as the future home of Queensland greyhound racing.

Practical completion of construction is projected to conclude by late 2024, allowing for the scaled commencement of trialing on all tracks.

Albion Park and Ipswich racing activity is set to transition to The Q’s three racetracks early in 2025.

“We are hopeful of eventually moving down there in the coming months,” the top NQ trainer said.

“We are keen to have a change of scenery and try something else.

“It would be good for the dogs to go to different tracks instead of just Townsville every week.”