Does Group 1 Glory Await Nicholls In Qld Cup?

CROWD pleasing stayer Days Of Thunder will be striving to deliver Churchable trainer Warren Nicholls his maiden group 1 triumph at his first time of trying in Thursday night's Queensland Cup (710m).

Boasting an almost all-white exterior, Days Of Thunder, renowned for her stimulating last-to-first racing pattern, roared into Queensland Cup contention with a slashing 41.67 heat victory last Thursday.

"She's my first group 1 runner so it's a big week – very exciting," Nicholls said.

"The run last week took a bit out of her but she's bouncing around now and ready to go for Thursday. I couldn't be happier with her and to be honest I'm surprised she's the odds ($12) she is."

2022 @tabcomau Queensland Cup Heat 4 710m

1st: Days Of Thunder (7) – 41.67
2nd: Gypsy Wyong (1)
3rd: Street Cry (8)#QLDisRacing@RaceQLD @tabcomau @SkyRacingAU @GerardDaffy @Bunny_Brasch @SEN_track @MMcInallyPhotos pic.twitter.com/4hI9b29dnr

— Brisbane Greyhounds (@BrisGreys) June 30, 2022

It was well before her racetrack debut that Nicholls knew he had a potential stayer on his hands.

"In her early trials there'd be nothing there time wise early and not much there late over the shorter distances either," Nicholls said.

"But she wouldn't blow a candle out afterwards. The further she went the better she got. In some of her 700 metre wins her run home times are quicker than what the 500 metre dogs run. It's quite incredible."

For all her ability, Days Of Thunder – by champion sire Fernando Bale out of group winning stayer Melissa's Pride – has her quirks.

"She thinks for the first lap and is fearless for the second lap," Nicholls explained.

"Early on she got chopped out in a few races at Ipswich and it got her thinking a bit. So you'll see now she'll do what she needs to get through the first corner and then works into the race.

"That's the key to her chances on Thursday, not getting touched early. If she can be left alone then they'll know she's in the race."

With $150,000 winner's cheque up for grabs, Nicholls understands there's plenty on the line in the rich finale.

"I'm just thrilled for her owner Clint Gill – he's on cloud nine," Nicholls said.

"He's been searching for a dog like this for years and picked her out at just 14 weeks of age.

"Being a Queenslander it would be great if she could take it out and do it for the locals. She's ready to run a big race, we just need that luck early and she can figure."