Garrards Winter Cup Review

Garrards Winter Cup Review

Iso Octane’s Winter Cup

1 July 2011
Written by David Brasch

West Australian bred, Sydney owned, now Brisbane trained Iso Octane ($2.10) led throughout to win the Group 1 Winter Cup (520m) at Albion Park on Thursday night.

The son of Pure Octane-Tiny Milly scored by three and a half lengths over He Knows Uno ($3.00) with a length to Cold Fusion ($10.40) in third.

Iso Octane is raced by mates Tyrone Whittington and Greg Sprod and trained by Tony Brett who was winning his first Winter Cup. He had finished second with champion Bogie Leigh to Trewly Special.

Iso Octane reversed the result of last year’s Group 1 Brisbane Cup when He Knows Uno downed Octane Show who also was owned by Whittington and Sprod and trained by Brett.

Iso Octane has been a revelation since joining the Brett kennel two months ago. His form in Victoria was disappointing even though he was still trialling brilliantly for top trainer Darren McDonald.

“Darren was a bit concerned that he might not be suited by Albion Park,” said Brett after the victory. Iso Octane had raced twice at Albion Park as a young dog but was beaten.

Brett gave the dog two weeks to settle in to his Grandchester kennels and then took him to Albion Park for a trial. “I was going to race him in something weak at Ipswich, but decided to give him a trial at Albion Park,” he said. “He went 5.69 first section and trialled 30.21. It was enough to bring him straight to Albion Park.”

Iso Octane has continued to race brilliantly and is unbeaten in seven runs on the track since Brett took him over.

“I’ve purposely changed his training ever so slightly, but just enough for him,” said Tony.

Iso Octane took his record to 56 starts for 23 wins and 13 placings.

He was bought from WA as a young dog on the advice of McDonald. He holds the Sandown track record.

Brett gave full credit to his family and kennel friends for the success. “The name says T Brett as the trainer, but it’s a team effort and it’s a big team,” he said.

Iso Octane will have a week off and Brett will decide what his plans are. “We’ve been asked to put in a nomination for the Mega Stars at Dapto,” he said. “We’ll see what comes of that, but the Nationals are his target.”

Iso Octane’s home state is yet to be clarified.

Brett was amazed at the dog’s run of success. “I’ve never had a dog win seven in a row, let alone seven top grade races at Albion Park and end it with a Group 1 victory,” he said.

Both He Knows Uno and Cold Fusion were hard luck stories out of the race. Both found early trouble but ran on gamely to get the placings.
After the placed runners the field finished in the following order 4^th Citi Hawk ($9.50), 5^th Swift Warrior ($31.10), 6^th Call Me Harry ($28.20), 7^th Mercy Rule ($39.60) and Just Coincidence ($11.60).

Iso Octane is Black dog whelped December ’07 he is by Pure Octane from Tiny Milly (Knockabout Wok x Tiny Suzie). He is raced by Tyrone Whittington and Greg Sprod and trained by Tony Brett at Granchester in Queensland. Iso Octane’s current record stands at 56 starts for 23 wins and 13 placings and prizemoney earnings of $139,303

Thanks for content used in above release David Brasch Queensland Greyhound Magazine

The Winter Carnival Cup has taken on many different forms over the years and has been conducted also at different times during those years. It was first staged at the Gabba in 1978 and sponsored by famous Queensland brewing company Castlemaine XXXX and known as their Trophy, it was run over the testing 558 metre sprint course. It remained the Castlemaine XXXX Trophy right up until 1992 apart from one year in 1987 when it was called the Christmas Trophy. When racing moved to Albion Park in 1993 the race was called the Christmas Stocking for one year and it continued its Group 1 status that the race had gained in 1991 and maintains currently. The feature dropped back to Group 2 in 1997 and 1998, but returned to Group 1 in 1999. Like many other feature races around Australia in the 90’s in was sponsored by the Pet food company Eukanuba from 1994 to 1997 and its subsequent company Nutrience in 1998 and 1999. It the year 2000 the club developed the now successful Winter Carnival at the suggestion of race caller John Brasch and the race became that Carnivals major Group 1 feature the Winter Carnival Cup.  It has been won by some champion sprinters over the years and the following is but a few of those stars. Call Me Roscoe 81, Glanzend 82, Acacia Park 84, Dancing Gamble 87, Golden Fox 88, Highly Blessed 90, Iceni Princess 92, Toban Leah 94, Flying Amy 95, Roanokee 96, Wine Glass 97, Winged Runner 99, Mint Mojo 2001, Elite State 2003, 2004 Trewly Special,  2008 Made To Size and 2009 Trew Millions. Listed below is the full honour roll.

                     At the Gabba 1978 – 1992

                         At Albion Park 1993- Present

For more information please contact: Neil Brown GCA Publicity Officer Tel: 03 97691234 Mob: 0423 129 950 nbrown@agra.com.au

David Simonette GCA Executive Officer simonette7862@gmail.com