The Hellmuths’ believe they have hit the jackpot with their greyhound Bear’s Gold who is among 49 greyhounds on Sunday who will contest the heats of the richest straight track race in Victoria, the 2016 Healesville Cup.
Bear’s Gold broke his undefeated run of five wins last week at Healesville in the Straight Track Challenge which was won by the Robert Britton trained Landmark. His undefeated streak began in July at Warnambool, continuing to Warragul then to Healesville – making him unbeaten at both Warrnambool and Warragul.
WATCH: Bear’s Gold win at Warragul from box six.
“It is hard to pick one of them but I do think his win at Warragul was pretty impressive because he was so quick early (6.36sec),” trainer Keith Helmuth explained.
Bear’s Gold will jump from box four in the opening heat of the Healesville Cup and will find himself up against the “Queen of the Straight” It’s All Talk, who is trained by father daughter duo Martin and Angela Galea.
“I think it is going to be tough against It’s All Talk. I do think she will beat him out but I am hoping he will have plenty of room after they jump to run her down. He is a bit weak in the last 20 or 30 metres so we don’t know what will happen.”
The winners of each of the seven heats, plus the fastest second place will make up the eight dog final, all vying for the 2016 Group Two $67,000 Healesville Cup title.
Once the 2016 Healesville Cup is run and won, Keith will head to Shepparton to contest another country cup. Bear’s Gold has a fantastic record at Sheppaton, recording four wins and a second from six starts.
“Bear’s Gold is only a short course greyhound so we like to chase the Vic breeders races so they can have a couple consecutive starts at a track.”
With country cup’s on the Hellmuth’s minds, next years Horsham Cup will provide an emotional attachment after their former champion Peter Rock claimed victory in 2013 (pictured below).
