Travis Elson's chaser is no scrub

By Josh Spasaro

There are certainly more exciting times ahead for 2024 Brisbane Dam of the Year Nan’s Magic.

Her consistent three-year-old dog Super Scrub is a big chance from box eight in the Lakeside Cup Final on Thursday night.

And, there are other potential stars set to make their debuts for Yandina Creek trainer Travis Elson’s impressive broodbitch.

Nan’s Magic last raced on May 18 of 2020 and she picked up an admirable 21 wins from 73 starts.

“She’s been absolutely super for us as a broodbitch. She won the Greyhound Brood Bitch of the Year last year in Brisbane,” Elson said.

“It’s exciting times ahead. The second litter is just about to start racing.”

As for Super Scrub, he has not let down his dam, with 26 victories from 79 starts going into the $150,010 feature over 457 metres.

Last year’s Brisbane Young Guns Final-winner by Fernando Bale has more than $190,000 in career prizemoney to his name so far, as well as an exemplary attitude.

“He’s probably the kennel favourite. We love him as a pet. He’s an absolute marvel, that bloke,” Elson said.

“He’d do anything you’d ask him to do. He’s an awesome dog.”

Super Scrub has won his past two starts, including his Lakeside Cup heat by a comfortable four lengths.

Jumping from box six, his time of 25.08 seconds was the equal-second fastest, alongside Fire Me Up for Grafton conditioner Mark Moroney.

Blue Blend recorded the fastest heat time of 24.96 seconds for Jeff Crawford.

Elson – who also has Pop’s Maestro engaged on Thursday night – said again starting from out wide in box eight would suit Super Scrub well.

“He’s probably drawn the better of the two. He likes the eight, so that’ll suit him out there,” he said.

Super Scrub began well and opened up an early three-length lead last week, before comfortably adding another length on runner-up Rupee’s Revenge (who drew box three for the Final) on the home straight.

Elson was impressed with the performance.

“He’s blessed with blistering sections. That’s been his trait from when he was a pup,” he said.

The Sunshine Coast conditioner also believes kennelmate Pop’s Maestro can be competitive from box five in the Lakeside Cup Final.

After turning two on September 13, his future appears a bright one, with 11 wins from 19 starts.

The developing juvenile chaser finished runner-up in his heat, two lengths behind Validate for Jeff Crawford, crossing the line in 25.29 seconds.

“He (Pop’s Maestro) has got to jump and cross the four inside runners. If he does that, he’ll be a chance,” Elson said.

“He’s a good chance of crossing those dogs inside him.”

Elson said Pop’s Maestro was courageous to hang on for second last week, edging out third placegetter Canya Romance for Andy Mulrine.

“It was a good run. He copped a few checks. But, it was a good run,” he said.

“He could have quite easily won that race. Because he’s such a big dog, it (one-turn racing) does help him.”

By Aston Rupee, Pop’s Maestro is also out of an Elson broodbitch, Limited Edition.

She, too, was a more-than-handy track performer, registering 19 victories from 69 starts for $115,685 in prizemoney.

Pop’s Maestro inherited a never-say-die mindset.

“His chase (is his best asset). He won’t give up. As his record shows, he’s pretty honest. That’s probably his best trait – he’s so honest,” Elson said.

“I think there’s a lot more ahead of him.”

And, like Nan’s Magic, there are exciting times ahead for Limited Edition.

“That’s the first litter. His (Pop’s Maestro) sister, Summer’s Edition, has won a couple of races, so she’s done well,” Elson said.

“We’ve got two more. They’re only two years old. There’s another first starter in Friday and another one in Tuesday. There was only four in that litter to race.”

Elson said winning a Lakeside Cup would mean a lot to him.

“It would be awesome. You dream of winning these good races. We were lucky enough to win the race when it was the Ipswich Cup over at Ipswich with Bear’s Bullet,” he said.

“So to win it with one of those two, it’d be a big thrill.”

Elson currently oversees nine race dogs, but said more were on the way out of Nan’s Magic and Limited Edition.

“We’ve only got a small team of race dogs at the moment – nine,” he said.

“But, we’ve got 12 pups about to kick off out of Nan’s Magic and Limited Edition.”