Caption: Columbian King on his way to another win up the Capalaba straight (Photo: Just Greyhound Photos)

By TERRY WILSON

REIGNING ‘King of Capalaba’, Columbian King, remains a chance to get a crack at winning two Con Sciacca Capalaba Cups (366m) in the same year.

Pablo, as the champ is known at trainer Jamie Hosking’s kennels, is recovering from a back muscle injury he copped when running third behind Magical Trav in a Top 8 event at Capalaba last month.

It was an injury that threatened to scupper the chance of an historic Cup double – Magical Trav won the event in late March – before it was confirmed another Cup would be staged again later this year to get the event away from the wet season. The last three Cups had been plagued by wet weather and flooding.

But as speculation mounts about two Cups in one year for Columbian King, Hosking said it was only a 50-50 chance of getting his star to be fit for the heats.

Heats of the now officially confirmed Group 3 straight classic are scheduled for October 3 with the final, and its $25,000 first money, a week later on October 10.

“I’m not saying he’s finished and he could still be a chance of running in the Cup again,” said a hopeful Hosking.

“He is definitely not retired at this stage and I’d love it for him to be able to win two Cups in the one year if it is possible.”

Hosking explained that he dog’s latest issue is similar to the injury he copped early this year – but it recovered in time to be cherry ripe for the March Capalaba Cup.

Winner of a Capalaba Cup, a Capalaba Derby, a Capalaba Grand Prix and a Capelbourne Cup among its successes, Columbian King will be a strong chance in the Cup, provided it gets back to peak fitness.

Straight track ‘boss’, trainer Terry Priest, has an undeniable chance of Cup glory via Magical Trav, but he is one who believes if Columbian King is fully fit, it will be very hard to beat.

It is interesting to note that Columbian King’s best time up the straight has been 19.45 seconds, a time eclipsed by Magical Trav when it won the Queensland Straight Track Championship final in a sizzling 20.40s on August 8.

“He’s my number one contender (for the Cup) for sure,” said Priest, who at the time of Chase going to print, had a huge lead in the 2021 trainer of the year and Magical Trav had a lead in the greyhound of the year title race.

Magical Trav has an amazing record of not missing a place from 30 starts after being handed over by Bill and Cyndie Elson because of some wayward behaviour.

Magical Trav won an Albion Park Maiden in June last year but showed worrying signs on the circle and so headed to Priest at Park Ridge.

Stewards ruled that Magical Trav did not chase too keenly in its Maiden win.

Since then the dog has had 29 starts at Capalaba for 21 wins, four seconds and four thirds.

Clearly, the son of Fernando Bale and Cyndie’s Magic is showing much better race manners racing in a straight line.

“Bill (Elson) thought it was best to go to Capalaba with him,” said Priest. “I haven’t ruled out a return to Albion Park but it’ll be up to the owners.”

Meanwhile there is another Priest for rivals to contend with.

Josh Priest, 19 and the son of Terry, has been granted his full trainer’s licence and it will be interesting to see what happens in his racetrack battles with dad.

WHO IS THE BOSS?

THERE was a real battle of the office bosses going at Capalaba last month when club president John Catton and treasurer/raceday manager Erin Cameron matched skills out on the track.

Erin claimed first points when Cuffey won a Fourth Grade in 19.97s and later in the day her favourite My Girl Gracey ran third.

Catton followed Cuffey’s race with victory with Hidden Ripple, clocking 20.01s.

We asked Catton if he admitted defeat in the friendly administration rivalry, but he was quick to point out that he had a hand in another race that day.

“I own Timmy Martin, who is with Nicole Connell and it won,” said Catton.

Timmy Martin was originally with Ray Plimmer, who had an accident and handed over the reins of the dog to Connell.