It’s a well-worn phrase in the greyhound caper and it’s one Mark Delbridge will live and breathe over the coming week as he embarks on a four-state sojourn which includes Sunday’s $25,000 Ladbrokes Broken Hill Cup.
“I’m on my way to Adelaide now [Thursday morning] for a South Australian bred race and we’ll come home Friday. I’ll race at The Meadows on Saturday, head to Broken Hill on Sunday, then we’re going to Grafton on Tuesday, before getting some dogs up to The Q [at Ipswich] late next week,” Delbridge said.
“I wouldn’t have minded going to the Chief Havoc Cup at Gunnedah as well but because we’re heading to Broken Hill, we couldn’t do both.”
The star Victorian trainer set to rug up Group 1 winner Paw Oswald and Lassard in Sunday’s $25,000 final on the red dirt of our most isolated racetrack.
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“It’s a good little track…it’s just out in the middle of nowhere. It’s eight-and-a-half hours from our place [in Balliang] to Broken Hill so we’ll leave Sunday morning at 5:15am and get there around 2:30pm… assuming theirs not too much wildlife on the road,” Delbridge added.
“There’s goats, emus, kangaroos, I’ve been told there’s wild pugs running around out there too. The locals always tell us “whatever you do, don’t drive home at night”, so we listen and stay over every time we go.”
“A few years ago, we were driving during the day and saw 21 dead kangaroos, five live ones, 10 emus and I reckon 800 goats just roaming around. Once you get to a place called Wentworth, it’s 303km of nothing but road and salt bush until you hit Broken Hill.”
The 49-year-old eager to take home the prized Broken Hill Cup at a circuit he’s had plenty of success at over the years.
“Every dog I’ve taken to Broken Hill since the Million Dollar Chase regional races have been happening has qualified for the semi-finals. The people out there are so nice, it’s always a great atmosphere for racing, and it’s not all about money but the Cup is worth $25,000” he added.
“I’m lucky I’ve got a good team who can do everything at home while I’m on the road. I’ve got 80 dogs in work so my son Myles, Shaun (who’s been with us for 14 years), Lori and Bec all do a great job.”
The former Melbourne Cup a lot keener on the chances of current race favourite, Paw Oswald ($1.70 with Ladbrokes), in the final despite his wide draw.
“We’ve copped the visitor’s draw (Oswald in Box 8 and Lassard in Box 5) but I still think Oswald can win. As long as he doesn’t get smashed around the first bend, there’s no reason why he can’t,” Delbridge said.
“He broke the track record last week but it’s a bit different being out in front compared to chasing the pack. The Dailly’s used to have Honey Zen (Box 2) so she’s got ability and early pace so I expect her to lead. I think Lassard is just kind of making up the numbers and he hasn’t quite been 100% since the heats.”
The Ladbrokes Broken Hill Cup, worth $25,000 to the winner, will be run in Race 7 on Sunday at Broken Hill.
