Bear’s Bullet has ability to win Queensland Futurity from box 4
It has been a long time since Travis Elson had a chaser with the natural ability of Bear's Bullet ahead of the Queensland Futurity Final at Albion Park on Thursday night.
But she is only 22 months, so the experienced Yandina trainer is not carried away about her prospects for the Group 2 feature over 520m and worth $75,000.
He knows regardless of what happens this week, she's got a bright future.
Bear's Bullet will start the second favourite behind Hara's Pandora ($3.40) at $3.60 in a field that also contains Daniel Gibbons' young gun, Kelsey Bale ($4) from box eight.
Drawing box four has also kept Elson grounded about his developing bitch's hopes, with just seven career starts under her belt for four wins.
“It all just comes down to the start now. She's got the four box, so she can't do anything wrong,” he told Australian Racing Greyhound.
“I hope not (box four doesn't cause any issues).
“The one (Balmy Nights for John McCarthy) is going to be my danger, I think. It was causing trouble and looks like it's got the speed to go hammer and tong to that first corner.
“It does drift off a little bit around that first corner. It did in its heat – it drifted off a little bit.”
Bear's Bullet edged out Kelsey Bale at the post in the first Futurity heat last Thursday night, crossing the line in 30.01 seconds.
Kelsey Bale already has 15 wins from 48 starts to her name, with the Victorian star already earning over $175,000 in prizemoney, making the triumph of Bear's Bullet a very good one.
“She (Bear's Bullet) has always shown that she's got ability. She's only 21 months old – she's only a baby,” Elson said.
“She's ran under that 30 mark a couple of times now, and 30-dead.
“So for her to show me that at her age, I'm pretty excited about her prospects.
“It's been a long time since I've had a dog at that age who can break that 30-second mark at that age.”
Being able to run such respectable times for a bitch so young is because Bear's Bullet was born with a few natural talents.
And these talents are what make her such an exciting prospect for 2023.
“She's been a natural allrounder. From when she got broken in, she's always been professional about what she does,” Elson said.
Despite her $4 odds from the outer box, Elson said Laurels Classic Final winner Kelsey Bale would be the one to beat on Thursday night.
But he has noted if there is one blemish to the blinding speed she possesses, it's how she can sometimes start her races slowly.
“The dog to beat has got to be the eight dog, for sure,” the Sunshine Coast trainer said.
“I've watched some of her past few replays and she has been a bit tardy away. From the eight box if she stays out wide and there's trouble, she'll be the strongest bitch in the race.
“And probably the most experienced – she's won about $180,000 in prizemoney.
“She's had nearly 50 starts.”
Albion Park 2023 Group 2 Queensland Futurity Heat 1 Race Replay
First: #2 Bears Bullet – 30.01