Bernardo Beast has taken the coursing season by storm and finished it with a Waterloo Cup win at Longwood on Sunday for trainer Andrew Paraskevas and owner James Hamilton.
His career to date on circle tracks has been patchy which led to a planned attack on the coursing scene which has proven to be a masterstroke by all involved.
“He’s undefeated after 12 courses, I’m proud of the boy,” said Hamilton.
Bernardo Beast, or ‘Barney’ as he’s known, was bred by James Van De Maat, reared by Lachlan Scott and initially trained by Danny Gibbons. His efforts on the trial track were freakish and gave indications that he could potentially be group class.
“Danny and Bec were so patient with him but we mutually agreed that he needed a change of environment, so I sent him to Steve White. He trialled 24.30 at Sale (435m), which dogs don’t do at his age and being his first look there.”
Not long after he raced at Traralgon where he won, but his will to win wasn’t totally convincing in the home straight.
“Steve recommended I send him to New Zealand. I started organising that, but in the meantime John Barbara was keen to give him a go. He marred at Geelong after making up about 10 lengths in a good field.”
The New Zealand plans fell through and the next step was unclear.
“I decided to call Andrew (Paraskevas) and suggested we try coursing to get his mind on the job. Then he set up a six week plan to target the Waterloo Cup.”
They pulled the trigger and quickly found out that it was a positive move.
“His first trial at Lang Lang was .04 off the record. He started coursing and won against handy dogs by good margins. He won the Longwood Cup and has now picked up the Waterloo Cup which is an enormous thrill.”
A potential target for Bernardo Beast is this Sunday’s Sportsbet Healesville Cup heats but the team has decided not to pursue it.
“He recently trialled well at Healesville, we were going to nominate him but I’ve decided not to. He’ll fly to Richmond (NSW) on Wednesday and be trained by Darren Sultana – he had great success with Shall Not and Mr. America racing at Richmond straight and Capalaba.”
Not only a fast dog enters Sultana’s kennel but one with a personality to match.
“All of the trainers that he’s been with love him. He’s the best natured dog.”
It was the 151st edition of the Waterloo Cup, Australia’s oldest greyhound event. Bernardo Beast defeated Go Go Jeff trained Billy Cowcher.
In the other two main events: Waterloo Plate was won by Whodat Duchess trained by Lachlan Scott, defeating Greysynd Sammy trained by Mick Chilcott. Waterloo Purse was won by Ready To Sting trained by Taylor Thornton, defeating Sydney Show trained by Ron Rogers.
Click here to watch yesterday’s Waterloo Cup courtesy of NCA Victoria
