Elsa's The Q Love Affair Continues In Lakeside Cup

JOHN Thompson declared during last week to a good mate that Barefoot Elsa could win a heat of Saturday night's Lakeside Cup (457m) at Q1 and run 25.40.

"He laughed at me," said Thompson. "But he rang me straight after Saturday night's race with congratulations."

That's because Barefoot Elsa (West On Augie-Blanco Caliente) had scorched to a 25.29 victory in her heat of the Cup, beating boom youngster Blue Blend by a length at the juicy odds of $11. The track record is 25.16.

"We've had a good bet on her," said Thompson. "We got $16 because we knew she absolutely loves The Q and would be so hard to beat."

He based that on her win the previous week in 25.70.

"She got belted in the back straight, turned sideways, and then copped another check later on, but still won and ran 25.70," he said.

But, Thompson also had another reason why he was so confident of Barefoot Elsa.

"She is the only dog we have got that we can trial with Barefoot Zulu," he said. "She holds her own with him for the first 400 metres, but after that he runs away."

Barefoot Zulu, of course, is Thompson's star galloper which has run track records at Ipswich and Grafton.

He is amazed at the improvement in the bitch.

"When we broke in the entire litter, they were poor," he said. "But, when we started racing them, we were astounded with the improvement.

"They became race dogs overnight. But what amazes us is the way this bitch has taken to The Q.

"She'd won a Novice at Ipswich in 30.50, but her first trial at The Q she went 19.69 and we knew then she was just so suited to the place."

Of the rich Cup final next Saturday night, Thommo hopes she draws the three again.

"She goes dead straight out of those boxes," he said. "I wouldn't want her to draw very wide. Blue Blend is the dog to beat again because it is a pretty good dog."

But Thompson is excited by the potential of Barefoot Elsa.

"She turned two only on May 5 so what does the future hold for her," he declared. "I think she will run further as she gets older."

Of his superstar Barefoot Zulu, the dog cracked a fibula but had his first gallop back from that injury on Sunday morning.

He has not started since finishing fourth in the G3 Perth Cup Consolation on March 15.

Of The Q, Thompson is in awe of the facility.

"Q1 is the fairest racetrack I have ever seen," he said. "And, Q2 will be fantastic, once everything is up and running, it will be amazing."