Brett Makes Training Return With August Bob

STEVE Fitch looked at the driving schedule he was facing from Nowra Hill to Brisbane, a 12-hour marathon, and decided that was “insanity”.

So Steve got on the phone and called premier trainer, Queenslander Tony Brett, and asked if he would take on the Albion Park Winter Carnival training of his star galloper August Bob.

Brett, who has not had a starter since Just A Sort raced at Albion Park in November last year, jumped at the chance.

FIELDS AND FORM ALBION PARK THURSDAY NIGHT

Tony and his wife Fleur have grabbed the opportunity to undertake much anticipated overseas holidays.

On Thursday night, Brett produces August Bob (My Redeemer-Gramercy Park) in a heat of the Young Guns (520m) and he takes on a slick field headed by recent G2 Ipswich Auction runner-up Duffman.

“I was keen to give him his chance in all those good races during the Winter Carnival,” said Steve Fitch.

“But, when I looked at the schedule of driving from Nowra to Albion Park and then home again, week after week, it was insanity,” he said.

“I left Tony a message on his mobile phone and he rang me back and said he was happy to take him on.”

August Bob, winner at 14 of his 29 starts and a Group 1 National Derby finalist, arrived in Queensland last Wednesday.

Brett gave him a box-to-box at Albion Park on Sunday and the dog pleased him greatly, especially the 5.55 first section.

“Tony believes he will improve with a run or two on Albion Park, but he has settled in great and we really like the draw for him,” said Steve.

“From what I have read about Tony's training methods, he is very similar to me, a walk in the morning, straight work and free galloping.”

August Bob won his heat of the recent G1 Golden Easter Egg series at Wentworth Park in 29.35, the night eventual Egg winner Mackenna became the second fastest ever at the track winning in 29.20.

Fitch has looked over the Young Guns fields.

“It is not an easy series, but you would expect that and there are some very good young dogs in the heats,” he said.

Depending on his Young Guns performances, plans are for August Bob to go on to the Flying Amy Classic and then the Brisbane Cup in the next two months.