The Remarkable Nationals Journey Of Tsar Bell

ADAM Smithson describes him as “one of the strangest dogs I've ever had”.

Youthful WA trainer Smithson is talking about Tsar Bell and by the time the dog lines up for Saturday night's final of the Group 1 National Distance (720m) at Wentworth Park, he will have gone about his job “the long way”.

The son of Out Of Range and Ringading Sister will represent WA after impressively winning the state final on August 11 over Soda Saville in 42.16 for Smithson and owner Eileen Thomas.

It was his 13th win in 52 starts and only since he has headed over to Smithson for a much-needed staying career has he been to the fore.

“He's quiet, happy, but he's just a strange dog,” said Smithson. “There is just something about him. He certainly is not a people dog.”

Tsar Bell started his race career way back in January 2021 in sprints in Victoria eventually winning four races there.

Congratulations to TSAR BELL for trainer Adam Smithson pic.twitter.com/rgpBAQFNnx

— Greyhounds WA (@greyhounds_wa) August 11, 2022

Owned in Tassie by Eileen Thomas, he headed to that state in December 2021, and embarked on a distance race career. He won three races, all over 580m at Devonport, but it was obvious he needed more consistency in finding longer races.

“I had trained a bitch called Lakeview Lilly 12 months before for Eileen and she really went great here,” said Adam. “But, she got crook and we had to retire her.

“Because of the success with her, I was asked to train Tsar Bell. He came over to WA in April.”

Tsar Bell took a little while to settle in.

“He was getting distance races once a month and that was not what he needed,” said Adam.

“Once up to 715m at Cannington and racing regularly, Tsar Bell started to improve dramatically.

So much so that he has now won his past five and six of 11 since joining Smithson's kennel.

“He is a very different dog to the one who arrived here back in April,” said Adam.

Part of that could be down to Adam's partner Chontae who has made the dog her own special project.

Adam flew Tsar Bell to John and Minnie Finn who sent the dog box to box at Wentworth Park on Tuesday in preparation for the National Distance final.

While Adam will be back in WA, there was no keeping Chontae at home when “her boy” Tsar Bell is running in a Group 1 in Sydney.

“Minnie said the dog went very well in the trial and has pulled up well,” said Adam.

“Who knows what he will do on Saturday night.

“Let's hope he can begin well and get in behind Super Estrella and get a great cart into the race.”

When Eileen Thomas sent Tsar Belle to WA it was with the advice that he would “run a kilometre” such is his strength.

“He can stay all day,” said Adam.

That certainly is in his bloodlines. It is the same family as champion Sweet It Is who just happened to win the National Distance final … TWICE.