‘Old Fashioned Training' Lands Casino Cup

JOHN Thomas sat down with wife Glenda and mapped out a plan to win Friday night's Group 3 Casino Cup (484m) with Take Two a plan based on “old fashioned training methods”.

And it worked!

Take Two (El Grand Senor-Chill Easy) led throughout and held off Group stars like Respectability and Louis Rumble to win the Cup final in 27.44 at the juicy odds of $16.

“I said to my wife Glenda that we had to be in front at all costs in the final,” said John. “With that in mind, I kept Take Two fresh all week, did a bit of old fashioned walking exercise.

“He pinged and led.

“Over the back I was starting to worry that he would be solid enough, especially when Respectability came out after him.

“But, in fact he was starting to pull away again on the line.”

Take Two is one of six dogs John and Glenda have in training at their 10-acre property at Lansdowne on the Mid-north Coast.

“I bought him for $5000 out of the paddock from Crystal Hensing,” said John.

“He'd had a couple of trainers, had won a race or two but his form had slipped.

“But, he had won in 19.05 around Bulli as a maiden first starter and I asked Crystal if I could buy him.

TAKE TWO CLAIMS THE CASINO CUP ?

John Thomas and Take Two have claimed the G3 Charcoal Inn Casino Cup, holding off Respectability and Louis Rumble in thrilling fashion to take home the $25,000 winners cheque.

Full Result: https://t.co/YpLqYCw2HO#thedogs pic.twitter.com/44Y8KJG1FE

— The Dogs (@Thedogs_com_au) November 25, 2022

“When I got him home I found he had a crack in a hock. I worked on it, put him back in the paddock and then put him back into work.”

And Take Two promptly won four in a row including a 29.85 Wentworth Park win before heading to Casino for the Cup series.

“People said I was mad taking a fifth grader up for the Cup,” said John.

“He trialled 27.50 there first look and then fought on well in the heat when second.

“That's when Glenda and I decided we would keep him fresh to get him to the front in the final.”

John and Glenda are back in the greyhound training game after 15 years away.

“I spent eight years running a charter boat off Broome,” said John. “But, it was getting too hot over there and I'm now 76 so it was time to give that away.

“Glenda and I bought this lovely property and put in a plan to get some dogs again.”

That's when his long-time mate Andy Lord came to his aid.

Andy contacted John and offered him Canya Wilder. He has now raced 18 times for 10 wins and five placings.

“That's the sort of guy Andy is,” said John.

“And he has sent up a pup who is showing plenty of ability as well.”

John has two youngsters he is aiming for the up-coming Maiden Classic, the series that has been a feature at Lismore for a decade or more but now switched to Casino.

“I've got a dog pup rising 17 months by my son Darryl's great sprinter La Grand Quality and he really is something special,” said John.

“He will head towards the big maiden at Casino and so will the pup Andy has sent me.”

Of Take Two's future, John will look around for more feature races for him.

“There are quite a few good sprints coming up,” said John.

“He can go on an win another one of those for sure.”