He Played One’s big challenge from box four

By Josh Spasaro

Box rise over 498 metres at Townsville offers a unique challenge for greyhounds – they are greeted with a bend.

Some like it and some do not.

He Played One is a fan of it, according to his trainer Scott Atkinson.

And in another advantage for the two-year-old dog, he brings good form into the Grade 4/5 Joe Olsen Memorial Final over 498 metres on Tuesday night.

He Played One has won three from his past six starts over that distance at the North Queensland venue.

But nothing will come easy in the $4,880 feature, particularly after drawing box four.

“It’ll be a bit tough from where he’s drawn, I think. It was a pretty quick heat, but you never know,” Atkinson said.

He Played One has saluted on six occasions from 34 career starts.

Atkinson has said previously that one thing his Fernando Bale-Nicmac Paddywack chaser needed to improve was his starting ability.

He did that in two of his recent victories.

But Atkinson hopes this can be more of a consistent trait in future sprints.

“He does seem to jump a lot better in 498-metre races than he does over 380 metres. I think he likes the bend start a bit more,” he said.

“There’ll be a bit of speed around him as well. Steve Scott has Gus The Great in there and his dogs are always hard to beat in finals.

“Over 498 metres, yes (he’s improved at box rise). But have a look at his 380-metre races. He actually won his last 380-metre start, but he had box one. 

“He just got some good luck because the two and three left him a bit of space. But he missed it shockingly that day.”

He Played One finished a gutsy runner-up in his Joe Olsen Memorial Heat last Tuesday night.

The brindle dog jumped well and led from box one, before Hara’s Ghost finished stronger on the home straight after finding the inside from box eight, prevailing in 28.99 seconds for Hayley Wooler.

Atkinson’s chaser was three quarters of a length behind, registering a time of 29.03 seconds.

“I thought he actually had it on the bend when he got a bit of a break, but the eight dog who beat him sort of came from nowhere,” he said.

The Townsville trainer added He Played One would have to begin well to have any chance of triumphing in the Joe Olsen Memorial Final on Tuesday night.

“He’s not a super strong 500-metre dog which is probably his main issue, so he needs to be out in front,” he said.

“He probably won’t chase down a dog over that distance.”