Brown backs Aeration to keep improving

By Josh Spasaro 

Aeration produced the slowest winning time in the four Merv Page Cup heats at Capalaba last Sunday, but trainer Angela Brown believes his powerful finishing burst makes him a genuine contender in this Sunday's Final.

He has also got the physical frame and mindset to go on and become a consistent chaser, according to trainer Brown.

Brown, based at Taigum in Brisbane’s northern suburbs, was happy with her two-year-old blue dog’s win last start, triumphing in 19.87 seconds ahead of Sunday’s Final.

It was just his third start after a 200-day break and his 12th overall, taking his record to four wins.

“I was really pleased with the run. You can’t ask for any more than that – first start at the track and coming up with a win,” she said.

“I was really pleased with the way he came home. If only he could get his head right with getting his start right.

“He had the slowest winning time on Sunday. Having said that, a lot of other dogs had a stronger tailwind than his race.

“But, it is what it is. He bombed the start in his last race at Q1 Lakeside big time.

“But, he’s been finishing on really well. I was exceptionally pleased with his run on Sunday because he’d only had one trial at Capalaba when he was with Selena and Mick Zammit.”

The Zammit kennel, which prepared former champion Jay Is Jay, had Aeration for just two starts while Brown recovered from a broken hip that required a replacement.

Aeration was also carrying a slight injury, so Brown gave him an extended break period.

It has been a mixed bag for the Sennachie and Agame chaser since he resumed racing, with two third placings at Q1 Lakeside before last Sunday’s Merv Page Cup heat victory.

“His first race back, he only just missed winning that race. But, then the second start back, he totally blew the start,” Brown said.

“He started favourite both times.”

Despite his box manners, Aeration has the physical build, mentality and finishing ability to be a contender in Sunday’s race up the Capalaba straight.

“He’s just a ball of muscle and a big gentle giant. He’s a lovely dog,” Brown said of her young chaser.

“He’s just so gentle. But, when he gets to the track, he’s a different dog. He goes to the other dogs ‘here I am’.”

Aeration is the only active chaser from dam Agame’s litter of three to Sennachie.

But, Brown has been pleased with her former broodbitch’s performance as a dam, who is now her pet.

“We only had three puppies by Sennachie. We had another one who went to a pet home. She never started,” she said.

“We’re waiting to see if the other one will start. She’s had a bit of a foot problem.

“It’s been more circumstances than anything else why Aeration was out for so long. That’s just racing. The litter by Flying Fired Up, we had seven and we kept all seven.”

Icy Eyes was the pick of that litter, winning 16 from 33 starts, and $139,260 in prizemoney.

“They were good dogs. We had Brimstone, Icy Eyes, Away Game, who only had 10 starts for six wins,” Brown said.

“Mahuika, as well. She had a litter of pups to Jay Is Jay. We’ve got a Jay Is Jay pup out of Mahuika rearing down at Willow Park near Grafton and we’ve also got a Tommy Shelby out of Away Game down at Willow Park.

“At the moment, we’ve got seven pups down there being reared.”

Agame was the only bitch in her litter by Buckle Up Wes and out of Bishop’s Lass. That was how she got her name.

Brown and her partner Peter McBlane believe Agame’s progeny Aeration can also bring his 'A-game' in Sunday’s Merv Page Cup Final for ‘Team Taigum’ at Capalaba.

“The first litter we had, Agame’s father was Buckle Up Wes, a Tasmanian dog. We had the first litter on the mainland by Buckle Up Wes,” she said.

“It was Buckle Up Wes and Bishop’s Lass, we got seven pups. We sold two and kept five. We had five very nice pups.

“Agame was the only bitch. She was never going anywhere and she actually got her name because she was the only girl in the litter.

“And, she had to be on her 'A-game' to keep up with everyone else.”

Aeration has the same competitive nature.

“It doesn’t matter what’s going on around him. But, when he gets out, he goes ‘okay, I know what I’m here for’,” Brown said.

"He's just got to get his head on the start now. There are a lot of good dogs in that Final, but one thing I'm pleased about is he goes straight. He doesn't seem to go left or right."