Elson On Verge Of Emotional Bullion Triumph

BUDDING young star of the training ranks Travis Elson has declared Gold Bullion favourite Hello Mike in perfect order ahead of his group 1 assignment at Albion Park on Thursday night.

And if successful in the $250,000-to-the-winner decider it will prove an emotional victory for an Elson family steeped in greyhound racing history with Travis's parents Bill and Cyndie set to be trackside for the grand occasion.

"Dad hasn't been in the best of health and we don't know just how many more race meetings he'll attend," Travis said.

FIELDS AND FORM ALBION PARK THURSDAY NIGHT

"So if we happened to win it with the whole family there it would make it that much more special. I took over the training of Hello Mike from my parents back in September and when I did Dad said that I'd win a really good race with him.

"Hopefully he's right and we get the luck we need in the Gold Bullion."

Winner at nine of his 24 starts, Hello Mike, a son of the great Fernando Bale, roared into Gold Bullion with a slick 29.73 heat win over Shipwreck.

But it was back in December the gifted galloper demonstrated his true ability on the clock, posting a remarkable 29.49 for the Albion Park 520 metre journey.

G1 @GarrardsHnH Gold Bullion Heat 2 520m

1st: Hello Mike (1) – 29.73
2nd: Shipwreck (2)
3rd: Declan Monelli (4)#QLDisRacing@RaceQLD @tabcomaumedia @SkyRacingAU @GerardDaffy @Bunny_Brasch @SEN_track @MMcInallyPhotos pic.twitter.com/5qiFZaghmn

— Brisbane Greyhounds (@BrisGreys) January 26, 2023

"He's a special dog, no doubt about that," Travis said. "He grows a leg when drawn near the rails so box two is in his favour for the final.

"The week has been great so what we need now is for him to run up to his best and if he does I've got the dog to win it.

"The really good dogs can run fast splits at the start, middle and finish and he can do that."

Travis, who forged a successful kickboxing career before taking up the collar and lead from his Sunshine Coast base, was fortunate to have a front-row seat during the remarkable racing career of Queensland pin-up girl Cyndie's Magic.

Trained by Bill and Cynthia Elson, Cyndie's Magic wowed racing fans during her 152 start career, winning on 45 occasions with stake earnings of $425,074.

The one thing eluding her career however was a group 1 triumph.

"As great a champion as she was, her racing style of dropping out and rattling home cost her a few big ones along the way," Travis added.

"Thankfully with Hello Mike he has that good early speed. He's the best dog I've had for sure and the best is yet ahead."

The Gold Bullion is race eight on a champagne card of greyhound racing which includes the $100,000-to-the-winner Gold Cup for the stayers along with a raft of other feature events.