Elson enjoys two-pronged attack for Carnival Sprint

By Isaac Murphy

In the space of six weeks, Travis Elson has gone from not having a Thursday night runner to rugging up two genuine chances in this week’s Listed Carnival Sprint.

The trainer is confident that Hope’s King and Limited Edition can further put their names up in lights, with races like the State of Origin and Brisbane Cup firmly in their sights.

“Hope’s King’s has come up with another really nice draw (two) and the way he’s been beginning you’d be a brave man to say he won’t lead that field on Thursday,” Elson said.

“I’ve said it before but the secret with him being a front runner is having the track nice and quick and I certainly expect that to be the case for a Listed race like the Carnival Sprint.

“For him to be a chance he has to break them up early and a big part of that is going to be heading off Mitchell Street from box one who’ll want to run a similar type of race to us.”

The dog has been in the form of his life and despite a down week has made his way through to the black-type final.

“He’s been really full of himself at home since I got him back to the 500 about six weeks ago and that’s reflected in his results,” Elson said.

“He was just a little flat leading into the heats of this race last week, off the back of his 29.78 run, I think it took a bit out of him and he just wasn’t jumping out of his skin to race.

“He’s probably entitled to an off week given the run he’s been on, all the little signs I look for are back this week there’ll be no excuses come race time.”

Limited Edition’s recent results might not read as well as Hope’s King, but Elson thinks Thursday could be the night for her to break through.

“Limited Edition is going a hell of a lot better than her form reads, I’d go as far as saying she’s probably my best chance of winning the race tomorrow,” he said.

“She’s been shackled with tough boxes and just hasn’t been getting that touch of luck you need in these races, but the way she’s drawn (seven) with Kooringa Lucy in the six I can see her getting across and sitting just behind Hope’s King out of the straight.

“Her run homes have been right there with Extra Malt and Kooringa Lucy the last couple of times out, she just needs to avoid trouble early - she’s bursting to win a race.”

All of a sudden Elson Has Hope’s King running personal best times, and Limited Edition showing signs of a glowing future.

“I wouldn’t have even considered this three months ago, but after the carnival Limited Edition’s looking like she could even have a look at the 600 and turn out a bit like her mother (Cyndie’s Magic),” he said.

“Hope’s King is definitely the more consistent of the two due to his box manners but on her night, she has that x-factor that probably elevates her above his capabilities.

“I’m counting my blessings with both of them at the moment, I couldn’t find a competitive Thursday night dog there for a while and now I’ve got two in a Listed Final.”

Betting markets tell you the interstate dogs are in pole position to be winning upcoming races like the State of Origin Series and Brisbane Cup, but Elson insists the locals couldn’t be more ready.

“The standard of racing leading up to the Carnival has been exceptional, whether it’s been Limited Edition in a Winged Runner Trophy or Hope’s King in a Best 8, they’re Group class fields and that’s what we want them ready for,” he said.

“This week is another one of those Best 8 fields this time with the added incentive of being a Listed race with $17,000 to the winner.

“It’s going to help all the local dogs really compete with some of the more fancied interstate dogs that we’re expecting to see in the next few weeks.”