The NZ Stars That Came Before Postman Pat

BOOM sprinter Postman Pat will be looking to become the latest New Zealand greyhound to conquer Australian black type racing when he lines up in a Brisbane Cup Prelude at Albion Park on Thursday night.

The son of Hooked On Scotch arrived in Australia with a big reputation having won 10 of his 14 starts in the Shaky Isles. He quickly showed that reputation was justified by winning all five starts under the care of master trainer Jason Thompson, culminating in a blistering 29.12 victory at Sandown Park.

FIELDS AND FORM ALBION PARK THURSDAY NIGHT

Thompson has said that on ability he's right up with the many group class dogs that have called Awesome Lodge home over the years, and the bookmakers agree, posting him a $1.40 chance in the $23,000 event.

With the $1m Brisbane Cup on the horizon, he'll be aiming to join five New Zealand greyhounds that took on – and beat – the best in Australia at group 1 level.

1. Kwik Metal

Bought for $30 as a pup, Kwik Metal was raced by Dandenong panel beater Cap Abbott and won the 1974 Melbourne Cup. After a slow get away, the blue, brindle and white bitch powered down the back straight to claim the $10,000 winner's cheque by two lengths, defeating a high quality field that included the great Temlee.

2. Above All

Above All had two starts in New Zealand before arriving to Robert Britton's Lara kennels, winning over 295m at Christchurch before falling his next time out. He made his Australian debut three months later, winning in 29.33 at Sandown Park and signalling his quality that would become apparent over the next 18 months. He won twice at group 1 level – the Harrison-Dawson and Hobart Thousand – and made four other finals including the Melbourne Cup, two Temlees and another Hobart Thousand. In all, he won 15 of 33 races and $323,360 in prize money.

3. Clone Your Own

Clone Your Own was an accomplished short courser in New Zealand before crossing the Tasman, winning nine of 23 starts including eight of 15 over 297m at Christchurch. It didn't take long to make his mark around two bends in Australia, winning four of his first six starts in the care of Robert Britton culminating in a thrilling victory in the Harrison-Dawson. He made three group finals in Australia before returning home to New Zealand to finish his racing career and commence stud duties. His 101 start career netted 30 wins and $224,936 in prize money.

4. Thrilling Brat

The Karen Walsh trained stayer was unique in that he made several trips across the ditch. He won consecutive races over 650m before his first trip west, form that translated to a win over 720m at Wentworth Park. Three moths later and on his second Australian sojourn, he ran second to Miata in the Zoom Top before claiming the Super Stayers two weeks later. He'd also make an Association Cup and Sandown Cup final, finishing his career with 27 wins from 54 starts and $228,243 in prize money.

5. Raurimu

Unfortunately GRV records don't have her complete race record, but the brindle bitch's name will forever be remembered as the winner of the 1984 Sandown Cup.