Hamilton's holiday pays dividends for Prado

By Alex Nolan

Five weeks after an operation to remove a lung tumour, Col Hamilton could barely lift himself out of bed due to excruciating post-surgery pain.  

Surgeons warned him there was some risk the pain might stay for the rest of his life, which was a scary proposition for the Forest Lake greyhound trainer.

“Then it was like someone waved a magic wand over me and I turned around really quickly, I went from absolute agony to good again,” Hamilton said.

You could say burgeoning trainer Tim Prado possesses a similar magic wand when it comes to Hamilton’s consistent chaser Street Smart.

The Wavell Heights conditioner scored his first Thursday city win on March 28, when Hamilton left Street Smart in his care prior to undergoing surgery.

That was Street Smart’s first win in more than four months and having been in Prado’s care for less than 48 hours, some cheeky trainers told Hamilton: “It doesn’t take long to improve one of your dogs.”  

“I certainly haven’t done anything special,” Prado said.

“Col put in the hard yards with Street Smart and I feel so fortunate to play a small role in their success.”

Last week, with Hamilton fully recovered and enjoying a holiday at the aptly named Hamilton Island, he sent Street Smart for another stint at Prado’s kennel.

Prado took the son of Cosmic Rumble to Albion Park for a heat of the Brisbane Greyhound Racing Club's 50^th Anniversary Trophy feeling hopeful, but by no means confident, of upsetting $1.45 favourite Extra Malt.

For the second time in two months – after Street Smart at the huge odds of $41 took advantage of his inside draw to hold out Extra Malt – Prado left the Thursday night city meeting as a surprise winner.

But, most importantly, it means Prado will box his first runner in a Group race when they return to contest Thursday’s $50,000 show piece on an historic night at The Creek.  

“Tim did a good job the first time, so why wouldn’t I send him back?” Hamilton said.

“He is good with every detail and makes sure everything is right.

“I think Street Smart has always been pretty consistent and he’s only put in a couple of bad runs, but there has been improvement and I don’t know whether that’s age or what it is.”  

Street Smart faces, arguably, his toughest test to date on Thursday when he exits box four in the Final.

This time, Extra Malt has the benefit of a run under her belt and is drawn to his inside in box three for Graham and Leanne Hall.

Recent Rockhampton Cup winner Dulceria is drawn to his outside in box five for Matt Heilbronn, while Albion Park box one specialist Power Moves has come up with his preferred draw for Serena Lawrence.

The now Shane Ellis-trained Impact will start from the outside draw.

“I’m really looking forward to it,” Prado said.  

“He will need luck to run a sneaky race, but it can happen.

“The field is close to ‘as good as it gets’ up here and we’re happy to be involved.”