Cheap Wine Faces Gruelling Golden Ticket Test

VETERAN Queensland dog man Kevin Macintosh has been battling the effects of Ross River Fever for the past eight months and cannot shake the dreaded disease, but he says Cheap Wine has been making life bearable.

Cheap Wine, of course, is the black daughter of Barcia Bale and Too Fonic Kevin bred and has taken to 11 wins and 20 placings for stakes of $56,000.

On Thursday night she goes into one of the four-dog Group 3 Golden Ticket (520m) heats at Albion Park.

She comes off a career best 29.71 Best 8 victory at Albion Park three runs back and Kevin is hoping for some race luck.

He comes up against group 1 star Tommy Shelby, drawn the rails, Hara's Clyde and Magical Bill.

Cheap Wine is drawn in the seven of the four runners.

“I was a bit disappointed to draw Tommy Shelby,” said Kevin.

“If he's not the best dog in the country at the  moment, he's probably number two. And, I'd have liked to have drawn over next to him so I could get a sit on him early.”

Cheap Wine comes into the Golden Ticket heat off a fourth in a Best 8 last Thursday night behind Magical Hope in 29.82.

“The stewards called me in after the race and wanted me to see the slow motion video,” said Kevin. “I was wondering what the heck they were on about.

“But, as soon as I saw the slow motion replay I could see what they meant.

“Right at the winning post she gets thrown against the rails and for about five metres or so she was sliding along the running rail.

“All four feet were off the ground. The stewards were amazed she did not fall.

“To run fourth was a huge effort.”

Kevin bred the bitch and kept three from the litter. He also has Flame Tree still in the kennel and says she has never been beaten by Cheap Wine.

“Flame Tree has always been the faster bitch but she has been plagued by pin muscle injuries and now a tore hip support,” said Kevin, 59, who has been in greyhound racing since he was 17.

“I remember going out to the Zammits' old trial track at Deception Bay with my dad to buy my first dog,” he said.

Of Cheap Wine he says the bitch is “jumping out of her skin”.

“I can't get her any better,” he said.

Plans for Cheap Wine include to go ahead to the Group 1 Gold Bullion at Albion Park after the Golden Ticket series, but Kevin is also looking at the Richmond Oaks in February.

“My old mate Clint Kratzmann came to me especially to say my bitch would be suited by Richmond,” said Kevin. “That looks a nice race for her down the track.

“In the meantime, Tommy Shelby … we're coming at you!”