Born To Race with new lease on life

Josh Spasaro

Born To Race has not won in his past nine starts, but veteran trainer Paul Cauchi has been impressed with his efforts.

The three-year-old blue brindle dog, now with 100 races to his name, will line up from box one in the third Publicans Cup heat over 520 metres at Q2 Parklands on Thursday night.

His past two starts have resulted in a third at Capalaba and a second over the same distance at Q2 Parklands.

“He’s been OK. He just can’t run on strong over 500 metres. He’s got to get on with the leaders, otherwise he can’t handle the field very good,” Cauchi said.

“They’re very hard races. There are dogs who come back in the lower grades and make it hard to compete.”

Born To Race crossed the line in 19.94 seconds at Capalaba on Sunday and 30.74 seconds in his runner-up finish at Q2 Parklands on August 27.

Just two starts back, he finished second to Backcreek Butch, who won the QGOLD Emerging Sprinters Final on May 9.

“It was a good run on Sunday. And, last week he ran second, but he was beaten by about 15 lengths,” Cauchi said.

“But, if they get to the front they always have a chance, don’t they?

“He’s not very strong in the run home. But, sometimes you get away with it. He’s good enough.”

By Tommy Shelby and out of Cauchi’s now-retired broodbitch Regal Jade, Born To Race brought up his 100th race milestone with his third-place finish at Capalaba on Sunday.

The 90-year-old Cauchi said his chaser had been blessed with a largely injury-free career.

“He had a bit of an injured wrist, but he got over it and he’s OK now,” he said.

“He hasn’t had any other injuries. He’s been good.”

The experienced conditioner added Regal Jade also had a solid career both as a chaser and dam after saluting 12 times from 82 starts.

“She’s got a few young progeny like Brother Sam and Uncle Joe. They go all right – they’re not two years old yet,” he said.

“If they can run 500 metres, they’ll be all right. Her and her sister, Regal Emerald, are here. They’ve been here ever since we got them.

“One had only two litters and the other had three. They’ve been OK. We had some fun with them.

“They’re very good pets. They do nothing wrong.”

Cauchi also revealed he was set to retire My Redeemer and Tahlia’s Way blue dog Hocking, who has registered 13 wins from 69 starts.

“He’s a good dog and he’ll make a good pet. The owners want to keep him as a pet,” he said.