Blue Blend comes of age for carnival pinnacle

By Pat McLeod

Jeff Crawford says Blue Blend has ‘come of age’ for potentially the pair’s greatest moment in greyhound racing, Saturday night’s Group 1 Brisbane Cup Final at The Q.

The Buccan trainer in fact has two chances in the $650,000-to-the-winner showdown – Blue Blend and fellow home-bred kennelmate Star Turn.

However, like most form analysts, Crawford believes Blue Blend is the more likely of the two to take the honours against what is a brilliant field.

“Last week, in the heats he, Blue Blend, showed he belongs at this level,” he said.

“It was his coming of age. He did everything right.

“He wasn't great to begin and the leaders did come together which allowed him to tack on and then go around the outside. But, the way he took advantage of that and raced around them, without finding any trouble, it says a lot about his maturity as a race dog.

“Previously, he probably would have crossed down too early and got himself into trouble. But, he stayed wide and allowed himself to build speed, going through the bend and that set him up really well.

“He showed that he is not a one race type of dog. He is learning every time.

“Who knows what will happen on Saturday night. He might learn to stay near the rail and push up underneath them rather than getting off and I am hoping that will be the case. The bottom line is, Blue Blend is certainly not out of place in this class of dog.

“He has the pace. He is a fast animal. He just has to learn to cut it with the dogs that are already there. Last week's heat was a big step towards that.”

Blue Blend won that heat by five-and-a-quarter lengths in 29.53 seconds in a field that included Group racing heavyweights Smooth Plane (fourth) and Morton. 

The Hooked On Scotch and Kiss And Cut youngster deservedly punches a $2.90 betting ticket in the early markets, despite his comparative age and experience.

His lead-up form has been exceptional and includes his track record run of 29.16 seconds, winning the Origin Greyhound Series Match Race against Jungle Johnny on June 12.

However, Crawford is like most who run their eye down this talent-soaked field. They may nod in approval at ‘the one’, Blue Blend, but their gaze jolts to a stop when they reach ‘the three’, the intimidating Tim Zoo.

The Jason Thompson powerhouse owns the race favourite’s tag at $2.80.

“Realistically, I think if Tim Zoo leads early in this race, then the race is over,” Crawford says in a matter-of-fact manner.

“He is an amazing race dog that has run very fast times (29.21 and 29.22 seconds) at The Q two weeks in a row on tracks that weren't really quick.

“To beat him (if he leads) you would have to run a track record and to do that coming from behind would be a very big ask on any dog at the moment.

“I think Tim Zoo is more likely to be in front of me early, then vice versa.

“I don't know that Blue Blend he could run Tim Zoo down and if my dog led, I don't know if Tim Zoo could run him down.”

And, that final comment leaves the door ajar to the vagaries of greyhound racing.

Crawford outlines how he sees Saturday night’s blockbuster unfolding early.

“I think the two, Daysea’s Rory (trained by Tom Tzouvelis) and the three, Tim Zoo, hold the key to the race,” Crawford offers.

“They will quite likely be punching up and vying for the lead.

“The four (Star Turn) will probably run some cover for them because he is not a fence crasher.

“I am hoping that the one (Blue Blend) gets a nice sit behind them and gets his opportunities somewhere down the back.

“He just needs a good opportunity, then it is up to him.

“Blue Blend’s chance is to be underneath them with Tim Zoo not in the lead, then getting to the lead and not being run down.

“But, of course you can’t just focus on these dogs because you can't discount any of the other dogs.

“They are all fantastic race dogs. Some are absolute superstars. If there is any trouble up front Cumbria Jack is certainly the run-on dog.

“They are all deserving to be in this race. It is a damn hard race and we are very fortunate to have two dogs in this race.”

Crawford trains in partnership with wife Jane and the pair have already tasted Group 1 success – winning the 2020 Queensland Cup at Albion Park with Classy Ethics as owner and trainers and the 2018 Hobart Thousand with Leeroy Rogue, as owners.

“I feel like a winner already, having two through,” he said.

“I am not really nervous about Saturday night because I don't really have any high expectations.

“I am optimistic, but not confident, so therefore I am not nervous, but I am really excited and looking forward to the night.

“If Blue Blend was to win on Saturday night it would be the pinnacle of my career.

“We have been fortunate in nearly always having a fast dog in our kennel since we have been doing this professionally since about 2012.

“But, right now we are enjoying our best run with multiple dogs. We’re really enjoying what we are doing.”