Anthony Bloomer back in greyhound game

By Jordan Gerrans

Passionate dog man Anthony Bloomer raced greyhounds in the old Gabba days and he is loving being back in the game over the last year. 

Training out of Stafford Heights in Brisbane’s north, Bloomer has taken three chasers to the races since July of 2025 with Marsupilami the most successful. 

The brindle dog has won twice and placed on seven more occasions for the returning dog man. 

Bloomer was heavily involved in the sport through the 1980s and 90s as he raced dogs at tracks such as the Gabba, Beenleigh and Lawnton before shifting to Western Australia, where he also campaigned greyhounds. 

It was broodbitches Naughty But Nice and New Mexico Star who sparked the veterans return to the caper. 

He was watching the coverage of The Phoenix a few years back which put his mind on the course towards getting back in the industry and breeding a few litters. 

“I got interested again and bought a pup,” he recalls.

“Through the guy I bought the pup off, he invited me to go half shares in a broodbitch. 

"So, we bred the litter together and I decided which sire to use.

“That has led to two of the three racing dogs who I own now, they are out of that litter.”

Marsupilami is a son of New Mexico Star from a Tommy Shelby mating. 

In Bloomer’s earlier stint in the sport, he was heavily involved with the late respected veterinarian John Murray and his partner Beverley Behm.

In recent times, he has also worked closely with broodbitch Naughty But Nice alongside fellow Queensland breeder Jason Churchman.

There is plenty of differences between racing at the Gabba and the flash new The Q complex and the returning conditioner says it has been a steep knowledge curve over the last year.

“There's been new things to learn, finding someone to check your dogs and finding trial tracks, but that eventually got sorted out,” he said.

“I have had a lot of help from other trainers. When I was just returning to the sport, I was helping other trainers catching at Albion Park because I live very close to the track.

“Practically every meeting I was catching and I was waiting at the gate in case someone forgot.

“I got to know a lot of trainers and they've given me good tips and I helped them out too.

“It's been really good to get back into the community.

“I have had advice from Warren Nicholls and all sorts of trainers. When I had a problem, I could go to them and ask the question.

"Zoran Pavlovski, who is the partner of one of my owners, I couldn't have done it without his help, as well."

Now in his mid 60s, Bloomer has retired from the work force and is focusing his attention on his racing and breeding interests.

On the Q1 Lakeside track on Saturday evening, Bloomer’s Frescano put in an encouraging run to finish second in a heat of historic Eric Thomson Memorial series.

The time of 25.90 seconds over 457 metres was not fast enough to force Frescano’s way into the decider this week but regardless, the trainer was over the moon with the effort.

The son of Naughty But Nice had been on the sidelines with injury since early September of last year and Bloomer was chuffed with the performance.

“It was a real pleasure to watch Frescano run well on Saturday because he's had a lot of issues,” he said.

“The run on Saturday night looked better than it was, but he did show a lot and he fought on when he was challenged.

“I really liked that. They were coming at him and he could have chucked it in, but I think he found more when they came at him.

“He wasn't going to give up. He's got a tremendous attitude, this dog. He's a super keen chaser.”

Frescano heads to the heats of the Young Guns at Capalaba on Sunday while kennelmate Marsupilami is an emergency for a race at Q1 Lakeside on Friday.

As Marsupilami is unlikely to get a start on Friday, he will be set towards a Q Straight event on Monday instead.