Phoenix Runner-Up's Pups Reach Major Milestone

QUEENSLANDERS Graham and Leanne Hall are taking tentative steps in the next few months for what they hope could be a long-term bid for The Phoenix.

And, fellow Queenslander Doug Gladman is doing exactly the same thing.

The Halls have just brought into their kennel block nine pups by Hooked On Scotch from The Phoenix runner-up Spotted Elk.

And Doug has five pups, just four months old by Aston Rupee, from his grand race bitch Tyanna Belle, which was a grand sixth in her bid for The Phoenix.

“They are just 12 months old,” said Graham Hall of his pups.

“We keep them in the kennels for a month learning the ropes before we start breaking them in.”

The Halls kept all nine of the litter.

“We like the style of them,” he said.

“There are quite a few different types among them. Obviously we are hoping for the best with them.”

Spotted Elk (Paw Licking-It Gets Better) won 17 races and $238,000 during her career on the track.

She chased home champion Wow's She Fast in the inaugural running of The Phoenix in 2021 at The Meadows.

Tyanna Belle (Cosmic Rumble-Shabeky) won 25 races and $184,000 during her long career and she too chased home Wow She's Fast in The Phoenix in 2022.

Racing Queensland has changed the qualification for their slot in The Phoenix.

This year's Queensland Flame will be a one-off invitation, best eight sprinters, worth $90,000 to be run on November 30 at Albion Park.

The Phoenix will be run at The Meadows on December 16.

Graham Hall is not convinced.

“I think the heats and final of the Queensland Flame was fairer,” he said.