Cobblepot primed for Capalaba Young Guns Final
Cobblepot is the model of consistency, and trainer Stephen Rolph admits he is unlike most other dogs he has worked with.
“I probably work him harder than I would normally work a dog,” he said.
“He doesn't like being kept quiet.”
The Zambora Brockie x Shilo progeny has been unplaced only three times in his last 15 starts which have included four victories.
He won his Capalaba Young Guns heat on the weekend, stamping his ticket for the final over 366m this Sunday.
From box five he ran straight unhindered, winning by half a length with a fast-finishing Valhalla running second.
Rolph was happy with the draw for the final.
“I wanted the one or eight,” he said, adding that his chaser has a packed schedule coming up.
“He pulled up beautifully and he will also be running Thursday night in the Young Guns heats too at Albion Park.
“He has a busy six or seven weeks ahead of him.
“But he likes to be kept busy, so the racing won't bother him.”
2023 Capalaba Young Guns Heat 1 – Cobblepot (1st)
Rolph said that his chaser would relish the next few weeks and his path from here would depend on performances.
“After the Young Guns, we have a couple of options. The QGold series of races at Albion Park, which are over 520m for dogs that are under 30 months of age and bred in Queensland,” he said.
“He will be one of the oldest in the series, so we might as well have a crack.
“Grafton have their Cannonball over 350m on in mid-June, so that will be his main aim.
“Then there are the Emerging Origin races at Albion as a backup plan to Grafton.”
The field taking on Cobblepot features some quality dogs including Earth Shaker, who finished second in his heat – six lengths behind Phantom Jasper – from box five.
In the final he will jump from box four, a position he has won from at the track and distance.
Trainer Mick Johnston said that a win in the final would mean a lot to his small kennel.
“The dog has pulled up very well after the heat,” he said.
“The final is a very strong race so our bloke will need to begin well and put himself into the race early.
“He loves the track and on his day, he can be very competitive.
“He was uncharacteristically slow away in the heat so we're hoping that poor start is behind him now, and he brings his A-game for the final.”
2023 Capalaba Young Guns Final field – Sunday, May 7
- Cobblepot – Stephen Rolph
- Our Opals – Greg Brennan
- Regal Scotch – Jason Schmidt
- Earth Shaker – Mick Johnston
- Phantom Jasper – Tyson Barton
- I'm Peakin' – Jedda Cutlack
- Coonamble Kid – Chris Brydon
- Valhalla – Jedda Cutlack
- King Kainane – Robert Delaney
- Canya Shelley – Andrew Bobak