Beast Royale looms large in Grand Prix Final

By Josh Spasaro

Beast Royale finished last in his Queensland Cup heat, but Tasmanian trainer Cameron Betts took plenty of encouragement out of the run.

The experienced three-year-old dog then won at $19 odds over 642 metres last Thursday night, crossing the line in 36.26 seconds.

It is why the Beast Unleashed and Entwined chaser looms as a top contender in the Ipswich Grand Prix Final over the same distance at Q1 Lakeside this Saturday night.

“He was probably a run or two underdone for 710 metres in his Queensland Cup heat, which was his only downfall leading in,” Betts said.

“But, I thought his run was full of merit. He made some ground and just as he went to go through the gap, he got a bit of a check which halted his run.

“I couldn’t fault his effort in the run. It was just a bit of bad luck when he tried to go for the gap.”

Betts, who has been staying with his parents on the Gold Coast over the past two months, was thrilled with Beast Royale’s last-start effort, edging out She’s Peakin’ at the post.

He also saluted over 550 metres on June 27 and has the benefit of jumping from box one this weekend.

“He’s been in a bit of form, so his last couple of starts have been promising,” the 40-year-old conditioner said.

“He had a couple of niggling injuries as I came up from Tasmania that he finally got on top of.

“I think box one is going to suit him. He’s not the best of beginners, so if he can position up on the rail I rate him a good chance.”

Beast Royale has had eight starts at both Q1 Lakeside and Q2 Parklands for two wins this preparation.

“He is familiar with the track – he actually came up and had a stint up here last year in the summer series,” Betts said. 

“He made the Nationals Final. He stayed here under Tommy Tzouvelis, so he certainly knows the track. I’ve got no doubt that he’s starting to hit some nice form.”

Greyhounds by Beast Unleashed are renowned for their chase, but Beast Royale is a rarity, being a competitive stayer.

“I don’t see too many of them run over distance. When he pins his ears back, he’s got a lot of good chase,” Betts said.

With The Q facility offering plenty of long-distance racing options, Beast Royale is set to stay back in Queensland and Betts will return to Tasmania after this weekend. 

The young trainer added he would be delighted with his brindle dog’s northern winter campaign if he could triumph in the $18,940 Ipswich Grand Prix Final at Q1 Lakeside this Saturday night.

“Absolutely, I will be. He came up here with a couple of niggling injuries that we worked around the clock to get right,” he said.

Beast Royale has 17 career wins from 66 starts for almost $111,000 in prizemoney.

A victory this weekend would rank highly for Betts.

“If he was able to win on Saturday night, I’d be over the moon. The dog is three-and-a-half now, he’s Masters grade,” he said.

“So, he’s still competing at a high level when he gets it right."