Monelli Trio Set For Giant Perth Cup Test

ON debut last September, Simon Told Helen turned heads when a rampant winner at Warrnambool over 450 metres in fast time.

At 19 and-a-bit months, his star shone bright and, now at start 19, he is the one to beat in Saturday night's Group 1 Perth Cup Final at Cannington.

The son of Barcia Bale dazzled in his first run at Perth's premier track, registering 29.74 – the equal fastest of six cup heats and the best time of the night.

Already successful at group 1 level in the Silver Chief at The Meadows in January, Simon Told Helen has been installed as an odds on favourite in Saturday night's $150,000 to-the-winner event.

The black dog has the seven alley and, given his high speed, is proven adept from wide boxes but this essay is by no means easy.

Experienced local Kiss Me Linda, a finalist in last year's Perth Cup, sits on the second line of betting while Dave Hobby readies a three-pronged ‘Monelli' assault.

The vastly experienced Hobby has recently closed his lucrative boarding kennel business at Nambeelup, just 10 minutes east of Mandurah, and has 70 in work with a racing team of 35 across two properties which cover just on 10 acres.

Hobby bred and reared siblings Werewolf Monelli (Fernando Bale – Sahannah Monelli) and Mermaid Monelli, while Zack Monelli is a daughter of Mike and Michelle Quinsee's 2017 Ultra Sense winner Penny Monelli.

Before winning her Cup heat in 29.85, Mermaid Monelli secured the Great Western at Mandurah over 405m in a cracking 22.35. Her Cup heat offering was a display of high speed and she withheld Zack Monelli's late surge to score by a half length.

Werewolf Monelli was collared in the latter stages by Simon Told Helen in 29.74 and it's the sibling's high speed – and that of rails runner Buster The Brute – which complicates the prospect of the star Victorian securing further Group 1 glory.

Hobby snared the 2018 Perth Cup with Trouper Monelli – his first Group 1 success for himself the Quinsees.

"Zack is a really smart young dog and Dave whelped the litter, reared and broke  the litter in for us," Mike Quinsee said.

"Most of my dogs are reared by dear friends Martin and Fiona Hallinan at Clergate but this litter [Penny Monelli] stayed with Dave.

"The Hallinans reared Trouper Monelli's litter and they won 148 races and all-but $800,000 in stakes.

“Five or so were feature race winners, with Waterloo Monelli winning 26 times yet, by means of his Perth Cup success Trouper won more money [$302.785]."

Over the past four months, the Quinsee breeding stocks have seen an upsurge with Frida, Petria, Leisel, Mumma, Penny and Petunia – Monelli-all – whelping litters.

"All six litters are heading to Clergate," Quinsee added.

"The massive plus for us here in WA is the WestCha$e bonuses offered by Racing And Wagering WA which is $12,500 each for the breeder and owner of Saturday's Group 1's.

"Not only do feature races attract bonuses, week-to-race racing is also lucrative with RAWWA's 2019 return to owners and breeders being $520,500.

"People suggest we should race our dogs moreover in Victoria or NSW but the bonuses are just fantastic and that's why our dogs stay at home."

While Penny Monelli's litter was home bred and reared, the six litters will grow up at Clergate and will then be broken in by Scott Manning at Eaglehawk in Victoria before heading back to Perth.

"Scott does a great job … we know exactly what to expect from every pup and the dogs arrive back here in fantastic order," Quinsee continued.

"Dave is like family to us and our relationship had been just fantastic and we are blessed that he has our dogs.

"The recipe for success is not tough – do your best and then hope for the best."

And the final word goes to Dave Hobby, a man of dry wit and steely dedication.

"My dogs are drawn ‘upside down' and it will come down to getting the start right and room to move … but isn't that greyhound racing?” Hobby mused.

"Zack is the pick of my three ability-wise, Mermaid has the high speed but will Simon Told Helen get all the breaks? … he's well drawn."

Following the Perth Cup, Hobby is considering a trip to Wentworth Park for the Golden Easter Egg series.

Should ‘Team Monelli' arrive east, they won't be sightseeing!