Golden Bear blazes to Eric Thomson Memorial victory at Albion Park
Golden Bear saved the best run of his short career for the 2024 Listed Eric Thomson Memorial final on Thursday night (April 25, 2024) at Albion Park.
Having had only five race starts, all at Albion Park, Golden Bear led throughout to win the Listed race over 520 metres, breaking the 30 second barrier for the first time.
The son of Zambora Brockie and Golden Joy stamped himself as one of Queensland's most promising youngsters, winning the $16,000 to-the-winner final in a best of night 29.85.
At just his third run over 520 metres, the run was a three-length improvement over the Adam Mcintosh-trained dog's heat win in 30.06 (best).
Punters and greyhound bookmakers assessed the race perfectly, sending Golden Bear out as the +170 race favourite.
Despite running wide through the first corner, Golden Beach was able to set up a five length lead over Cheers For Bella and Hoshino down the back straight, before going on to beat Hoshino by 5.25 lengths, with Cheers For Bella finishing third a further 1.5 lengths away.
2024 Listed Eric Thomson Memorial – Golden Bear (29.85) T: Adam Mcintosh
Trainer Adam Mcintosh was thrilled with the win, saying, “That is my first sub-30 second win at Albion Park.”
“The grandmother (Cincinnati Juice) went 30.02 seconds, but for this dog to run that time in a race like this is very special.
“I'm really rapt with that run.
“Sensational,” he said.
The 37kg red fawn dog has now had five starts for four wins, with his only unplaced run coming on debut away from Albion Park at Ipswich.
Bred by Mcintosh, Golden Bear won his first black type race, taking out the Eric Thomson Memorial, and has now earned $27,185 in prizemoney from his five starts.
Golden Bear is owned by the ‘Triple Bypass Syndicate' which includes Mcintosh, and brothers Michael and Scott Gould.
Mcintosh plans to back up Golden Bear in Sunday's Capalaba Young Guns Heats, where the dog has trialled several times but is yet to race.
“He needs to have a run, so I'll take advantage of this opportunity ” Mcintosh said.
“He has trialed a couple of times at Capalaba before, but has never raced there.”
Whelped in June 2022, Golden Bear is yet to turn two years of age and is eligible for all the age-restricted feature races coming up.
“All the age-restricted races are coming up now, and we may as well have a go at them if the dog is fit and well.
“But he is progressing, and there could be something coming up that suits him.
“I just think this dog will get better and better with experience,” Mcintosh stated.
2024 Listed Eric Thomson Memorial
2024 Eric Thomson Memorial Results Albion Park 520m Listed $16,000 to-the-winner Thursday, April 25, 2024 29.85
|
|
| 1st |
2 Golden Bear
T: Adam Mcintosh 29.85 – $16,000 +170
|
| 2nd |
7 Hoshino
T: Selena Zammit 30.21 5.25 lengths $4,000 +450
|
| 3rd |
6 Cheers For Bella
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| 4th |
3 Fearless Freak
T: Tom Tzouvelis 30.57 10.25 lengths $1,000 +600
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| 5th |
8 Coffee Blast
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| 6th |
1 Ava's Bluey
T: Gary Streatfield 30.61 10.75 lengths +750
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| 7th |
5 Shifty Breeze
T: Kevin Mcintosh 31.24 19.75 lengths +2500
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