WA raiders primed for Queensland Derby and Bogie Leigh Futurity heats

By Alex Nolan

They say patience is a virtue, and Western Australian trainer Shayne Williams has had his tested in spates ahead of Thursday’s rescheduled Queensland Derby and Bogie Leigh Futurity heats in Brisbane.

Unable to enter Queensland due to border restrictions, Williams has sent Derby hopefuls Unsee This and Tiger Town, plus Bogie Leigh Futurity aspirant Elite Weapon to the Tom Tzouvelis kennel.

All three trialled well at Albion Park on December 2, less than 48 hours after making the 3600km flight from Perth to Brisbane.

But it was Unsee This that caught the eye of trial watchers when he stopped the clock in 29.81 seconds at his first look at ‘The Creek’.

All was set for a bold showing in the Derby heats from box four, before the big wet set in.

Unsee This must now overcome the visitor’s draw (box eight) in the second heat of the Derby to qualify for next week’s $60,000 Final.

“Instead of crossing three greyhounds, he’ll now have to cross seven of them but there’s not much you can do about it,” Williams said.

“I wasn’t surprised he ran quick time first sight at Albion Park, but I didn’t think he could go that well in such a short space of time after arriving.

“He’s been pretty exciting over here (in WA) for the past three months.”

Williams said the Derby became a target for Unsee This when Tzouvelis recommended making the trip while the pair were in Darwin for the Prime Minister’s Cup Carnival.

He has since won a heat of the Group 3 Young Stars Classic at Cannington in 29.53 seconds before placing second in the final. 

“I’m good friends with Tom and he said to me he believed (Unsee This) was a group dog. He has a good eye for a dog, and we have nothing over here at the moment so we sent him over with one of my young workers,” Williams said, referring to his dedicated staffer Jayden Jacobsen.

The young aspiring trainer and veterinary student will be forced to spend Christmas in quarantine when she returns to Perth.

“I’m very grateful for the enormous sacrifice she has made,” Williams said.  

“We would be co-trainers if the rules over here permitted it.”

Williams is likely to take Unsee This back to WA before returning with a view to securing a start in next month’s Group 3 Golden Ticket and a potential free pass into the Group 1 Gold Bullion.

Tiger Town, who clocked 29.96 seconds in his 520m trial at Albion Park, is likely to be set for the Group 2 Golden Sands over 600m.

“He does have early speed out of the boxes but can’t seem to muster up. His late splits are generally strong,” he said.

Williams said Elite Weapon lacked maturity and hoped the trip to Queensland would serve her well.

She is likely to head home once her Futurity campaign comes to an end.

Williams made special mention of Tzouvelis and Jedda Cutlack for their hospitality.

“I have to say a big thanks to Tom and Jedda for hosting the greyhounds and Jayden, we couldn’t have done it without them,” he said.