Harrison Gill trying to harness brute force

By Jordan Gerrans

Self-taught rookie Harrison Gill produced four winners with the first greyhound he ever trained after the dog appeared on the verge of retirement earlier this year.

The Everton Hills-based conditioner has now taken on a new challenge in the form of speedy but problematic greyhound Brute Banner.

Brute Banner most certainly has a stack of ability – his career record is 17 victories from 28 attempts – but issues have followed the greyhound through his well-travelled career.

After a successful trial at Capalaba last Sunday in front of the stewards, Gill has decided to throw his kennel newcomer into the deep end of a Cup heat this Sunday on the grass.

The talented son of Blue Moon Rising started as the public elect in the feature Grafton Thunderbolt Final in the middle of June but played no part in the concluding stages as he speared to the outside while on the rails.

Gill – who also owns the dog – has been working tirelessly at the Lawnton training complex with Brute Banner, just trying a few different things to ensure he can race safely and straight in the Sunshine State.

“We got him pretty cheap for what he can do on his day because some of the issues he has had over time,” the emerging trainer said.

“We are trying to get the issues out of him by giving him a relaxed sort of lifestyle in a smaller kennel. We are hoping for the best really.

“He is a full-on dog around the house but I have got a pup he gets along pretty well with.

“I was told by a trainer who had him previously that if I could find a dog that he gets along with then that would help him play with them. We are just trying a few different things with him.”

Brute Banner qualified for the $75,000-to-the-winner Thunderbolt Final with a scorching 19.90 second heat victory over 350 metres.

Following the dramas of the Final, the black and white dog headed to Western Australia for three starts before shifting to Gill’s kennel in Brisbane.

It is a sizeable challenge for the young dog man to take on in the infancy of his training tenure.

But, he does have confidence a quiet, easy-going lifestyle at his small kennel may pay dividends, like it did for his first dog.

Black Abbott raced across several southern states in Australia before being purchased to head north to Queensland.

After one fruitless run at Capalaba, the black dog appeared on the verge of retirement after being beaten by more than 20 lengths.

He did not race between August of last year and May of 2024.

With the first dog he had ever prepared, Gill not only got him back to the track, but he prepared him to four victories as well as competed under the spotlight of metropolitan racing on a Thursday evening.

Black Abbott finished seventh in a race for masters dogs on Brisbane Cup evening at Albion Park in early July, not long after Gill had his maiden starter in a race in the middle of May.

“He was on the verge of retirement following an issue with a back muscle, we kept him going as a pet,” Gill said of Black Abbott.

“We thought after a couple of months we would give him another go and he ended up winning a few races.

“It was awesome to get those winners and he made a Final for the masters grade on Brisbane Cup night.

“It was a massive thrill to be there on Brisbane Cup night with a starter in my first year.

“Some guys wait years to get to a night like that and some people never get there.

“We are really lucky to have a good dog like him and that it all worked out well to get him going again.”

In preparing his small team, Gill is aided by his partner as well as a close friend who has taken out a kennel attendant's licence to help him out on race day.

He aims to soak up as much knowledge and tricks of the trade as possible when he heads to the races or speaks to other trainers at the Lawnton facility, including those within the famous Cauchi racing family.

It is big project to set up a racing kennel from scratch but Gill is enjoying the challenge.  

“I have always loved dogs and having dogs around – I was always keen on the punt, as well,” he said.

“I just wanted to have a go at training, just the whole thrill of it and the love of the dogs.

“I am self-taught for the most part as a trainer and have watched a lot of YouTube videos about it from the Britton kennel.

“I speak to as many trainers as possible at Lawnton, they have all been really helpful.

“I am still learning really but I have had plenty of advice from different people.”

Brute Banner went 19.72 seconds up the Capalaba straight last Sunday in his stewards' trial and the kennel are keen for him to remain on the grass going forward following Sunday’s Cup heat.

He has experience at both Richmond and Healesville straight tracks. 

“In the two times he has been to Capalaba he has gone straight,” Gill said.

“He went quick as well. We were a bit surprised as down at Richmond, he seemed desperate to cross.

“He seems to like to be on the outside of dogs compared to being inside of them.

“We took a punt on the dog and we are not sure how he is going to go. Hopefully we can get the best out of him.”

Brute Banner will commence from the two in the third heat on Sunday, aiming to book a slot in the $75,000-to-the-winner Cup finale.

The Capalaba Cup will be raced at Group 2 level this year with the $112,500 Final to be held on October 6th following the heats on Sunday.