“Slowest Break In Ever” On Cusp Of Group Glory

WAY back late in 2021, early 2022, Peter Bellamy and the dozen members of the “After The Last” Syndicate went looking for a trainer for a Zambora Brockie x Tahlia's Way youngster they had purchased.

When Jason Lincoln spotted a Greyhound Data advertisement for the litter as pups, only two dogs were left, but they were at just the right price.

Bellamy and Luke Gatehouse from the Brisbane Club decided to “get a few together” to race them.

FIELDS AND FORM ALBION PARK THURSDAY NIGHT

“It started out as just a couple, but Luke went to lunch with some clients and as the lunch got longer, the list of syndicate members became longer as well,” said Pete.

By the time those two pups were bought, it had grown to a syndicate of 12 and included Seona Thompson, Michael Johnston, Jason Lincoln's wife Katherine, Jodie Pagan the business manager at the Brisbane Club, the club's racing manager Darren Barbour, Gerard Daffy, Phil Reid and Jim Byron, the latter two advertising gurus.

One of those pups was named Adulate and on Thursday night he runs in the Group 3 Carnival Chase (600m) eyeing a $60,000 pay day and coming off a “well supported” heat win last week for trainer Tony Zammit.

But it wasn't always smooth sailing.

G3 @GarrardsHnH Carnival Chase Heat 2 600m

1st: Adulate (5)
2nd: On The Off (4)
3rd: Mepunga Mustang ( 8 )#QLDisRacing@RaceQLD @tabcomau @SkyRacingAU @GerardDaffy @Bunny_Brasch @SEN_track @MMcInallyPhotos @GRV_News pic.twitter.com/kU85DTZro6

— Brisbane Greyhounds (@BrisGreys) June 1, 2023

“When we broke him in he was awful,” said Bellamy.

“I rang Darren Taylor in Rockhampton to see if he would give him a chance and when I told him his break in times, Darren said to win in Rocky you had to at least have some ability,” said Pete.

“He knocked him back.

“He was the slowest dog ever at break in.”

The group became desperate.

Bellamy relied on his old combination with Hall of Fame trainer Tony Zammit.

“We had to beg Tony to take this dog,” said Pete.

Luke Gatehouse describes those early trials by Adulate as “stargazing”.

“It was obvious he was taking in all the sights and sounds,” said Luke.

Bellamy, who has spent his life watching dogs perform, reckoned he spotted something in the dog and claimed he only needed to “switch on”.

“Tony had him for a while and I spoke to him one day about how he was going and he said he had run 25.00 for 431 at Ipswich,” said Pete.

“Tony had got him turned around.”

The rest is history.

Going into Thursday night's Carnival Chase, Adulate has started 46 times for 14 wins and 19 placings earning $87,000.

A far cry from “the slowest break in ever”.

Bellamy rates Hara's River and Palawi King the ones to beat in the final and would rather Adulate off a wide draw.

But Gatehouse says the one and three and not noted for their early pace and believes that gives Adulate the chance to lead early and thus put himself into the race.

Gatehouse says “suddenly the GAP dog is a Group contender”.

“He's been terrific,” says Bellamy. “And, I have had a nice win on him in a couple of races of late, especially in the heat last week.”

Proving that long lunches can actually achieve something great.