Vista Weird chases Brisbane Cup berth

By Josh Spasaro

As Vista Weird showed in his Pink Diamond Champion Distance Final victory, he knows how to finish a race.

After winning the prestigious feature at Bendigo over 660 metres on June 12, the two-year-old red brindle dog steps down in journey at Q2 Parklands on Saturday night.

That is when he will contest the fourth Brisbane Cup heat over 520 metres for trainer Korie-Lee Heinrich, who is based at Anakie in regional Victoria. Heinrich trains alongside her partner Josh Formosa.

Handler for the team is Cooper Bradley.

The 18-year-old Bradley believes Vista Weird has the versatility to go back in trip to 520 metres from box eight on Saturday night and advance to the Group 1 Brisbane Cup Final.

“He’s a quick dog. He’s got every chance if he does the right things and puts himself in the right position,” Bradley said. 

Vista Weird won the Pink Diamond Champion Distance Final by two-and-a-half lengths from box seven, giving Bradley confidence he can again perform from the outside draw on Saturday night.

“If he does the right things and keeps clear, he’s a good dog who can do anything, really,” he said.

Vista Weird pushed star staying bitch Miss Envy all the way in the Rookie Rebel, finishing runner-up in the Group 1 feature over 600 metres at The Meadows on February 28.

It meant Heinrich was confident about the dog's chances going into the Pink Diamond Champion Distance series for Victorian-bred greyhounds.

“He’s quite a strong dog as well, which I think was why we stepped him up to 600 metres,” Bradley said.

“I don’t know if he’ll go further, but he’s definitely suited over that distance.”

Vista Weird is by Group 1 champion Hooked On Scotch.

Heinrich’s mother, Andrea Dailly, raced the dam of Vista Weird.

Gypsy Vista won seven races from 49 starts. Another standout progeny of hers is Vista Yttrium, currently with 13 wins from 65 starts.

“The dam looks like she’s produced quite a few good dogs,” Bradley said.

Vista Weird has 17 wins from 57 starts, with almost $207,000 in career prizemoney.

Formosa and Heinrich took over from one of greyhound racing’s most respected kennels, Tom and Andrea Dailly, when they retired in April.

They mentored the legendary Fernando Bale. Bradley said he was fortunate enough to be educated by the Dailly team.

That was after a chance trackside meeting with Formosa led to him joining the operation.

“It’s going really good. It’s been good to see Josh and Korie-Lee come through and take over,” the young team handler said.

“They do a fantastic job. They just brought me along. They put me under their wings and mentored me. 

"It’s been great and one of the best decisions I’ve made.”