Local hopes for Traralgon Cup
Tanjil South greyhound trainer Kate Gorman is “on cloud nine” having prepared two of the four heat winners of the Group 2 Traralgon Cup on Friday night.
This Saturday night’s final over 525m carries $67,000 in prize money, with Gorman’s pair Ice Cold Kaedyn and Monster Fish chasing the $47,000 winner’s cheque.
“I’ve never had a finalist in a group race, so to have two greyhounds make the Traralgon Cup is unbelievable,” Kate Gorman said.
“I’ve had a million text messages from people, which is really nice, but I haven’t had a chance to reply to any of them yet.
“I’ve been training greyhounds for the past 10 years, and my husband Matthew and I have been training full-time together for the past two years.
“To have two Traralgon Cup finalists has given us a huge buzz.”
Local stars Pantera Nera (2016) and Jesaulenko (2017) have won the past two Traralgon Cups, while five of the eight runners in the 2018 final are trained in the Gippsland region.
Gorman’s pair aside, the other Gippsland contenders are Mi Blue Day, trained by Brian Alford (Yarram), Tuggeragh, who is prepared by Steven White (Buln Buln East) and Tito Mojito, trained by Michael Giles (Tanjil South).
“Michael Giles is Matthew’s uncle, so three of the finalists are trained in the family,” Gorman said.
“I would love it if one of the local dogs wins again, whether it’s one of ours or one of the other Gippsland greyhounds.”
Gorman said both her finalists are a genuine chance to win.
“I think Monster Fish will win a big race one day, and Ice Cool Kaedyn is underrated (he won his heat at huge odds of $21.50).”
“I took them to Tasmania for the Devonport Cup earlier this month and while I was pretty disheartened that they both ran unplaced in their heats, they seem to have come back to Victoria a lot more mature.
“Maybe it was the travelling, I’m not sure, but I just think they are now ready to live up to their early potential.”
Ice Cool Kaedyn, a winner of eight races from 29 starts, has drawn the coveted box one in the Traralgon Cup, while Monster Fish, who has won nine from 23, will line up from box seven.
Entry into Saturday night’s Traralgon Cup is free, with two huge waterslides and a host of free entertainment for the whole family, including Turbo’s Trackside Corner for children.
The Traralgon Cup is the third leg of the Gippsland Series following the Sale Cup and Warragul Cup.
The series will conculde with the Cranbourne Cup on February 10.