National Sprint Final in range for Extreme Tension

By Josh Spasaro

Like his Rockhampton Cup-winning half-brother Shipwreck, Extreme Tension is blessed with a relaxed demeanour.

That will come in handy when he lines up from box five in the Queensland National Sprint Final over 520 metres at Q2 Parklands on Thursday night.

The winner of the race and the Queensland National Distance Final over 710 metres will contest the National Sprint and National Distance Championship Finals – both at Group 1 level – at Sandown Park in Melbourne on August 29.

Extreme Tension is by Out Of Range and out of Go Lou Go. 

The two-time Group 1-winning sire produced Shipwreck to Aussie Diamond.

Snow trained Shipwreck to glory in the 2023 Rockhampton Cup and Go Lou Go won 13 races for him.

The litter out of Aussie Diamond was a good one for the Purga conditioner, with Pocket Money, Come On Aussie and Oh Oh Range also winning over $100,000 in career prizemoney.

Extreme Tension has been the standout from a 10-dog litter out of Go Lou Go.

Snow has been delighted with the attitudes of his Out Of Range chasers.

“We’ve stuck with him because all the dogs have really good temperaments, which means a lot,” Snow said.

“They’re easy to handle and they all make good pets in the end, which is good.”

Snow has also been happy with his Out Of Range and Go Lou Go litter.

Extreme Tension’s full siblings Electric Man and Mischievous Lou have been consistent chasers in recent times. 

“It’s been a good litter, hasn’t it?” the veteran 80-year-old conditioner said.

“Mischievous Lou has been retired and the owners are probably going to breed with her. 

"But, we’re still going to go on with Electric Man. He was just injured. Go Lou Go should be a good broodbitch.”

Extreme Tension has been a consistent winner for Snow at Queensland greyhound racing’s headquarters.

“He’s been a good dog. He’s got a very good temperament and he’s a good dog on the bunny,” he said. 

“He’s got early pace to get on the bunny. He’ll probably tell me when he’s ready to retire.”

Extreme Tension’s last victory was five starts back at Q2 Parklands on June 25.

But, he finished a competitive third in his Queensland National Sprint heat last week, behind Wildash Jane and Winsome Jet for respective trainers Linda Ashford and Michelle Sultana.

Snow believes he has him back in the right frame of mind for Thursday night’s Final, which is worth $24,000.

“He’s drawn the five. He should be an each-way chance, definitely,” Snow said.

“He’s been off a bit, but I think I’ve got him right again. So, he’ll be very competitive, put it that way.”