He’d been out of the game for about two decades when he bought three pups from a Queensland breeder with little knowledge of how they would fare.

Those pups — Short Street Racer, Real Brew and Chocolate Chaser — went on to win $70,000 in prizemoney. Brewer, 64, is yet to look back.

“I was out on the farm, I was mucking around and thought I’d have another go. I’m pretty happy I did,” he said.

“I’m retired now. I’ve got 150 acres (60ha) with some beef cattle but I’m working on the dogs now.”

Fast forward to tonight and Brewer, who has about five dogs in work, will be at Wannon Park for two finals as part of the Warrnambool Seaside Carnival.

Bekim Vapour will run in the $3050-to-win Victorian Breeders’ Series final over 450 metres, starting from box two.

Belena Prince is in action a race later, out of box four in the $7500-to-win Warrnambool Summer Cup over 450 metres.

Brewer is confident of solid runs from the pair. He said Bekim Vapour, an outsider at $12, had to start well.

“I started off with him. I took him up to Horsham for a maiden series. He won the heat, then he won a semi and got beat in the final,” he said.

“He wasn’t really jumping well — that’s cost him a few races. He did trial 22.09 (over 390 metres) in Warrnambool so he can run.

“If he decided to jump, he’d be right in it. I’ve done everything possible and it just hasn’t worked yet. Time will tell.”

Belena Prince, an $8 hope, was the more likely of the pair to be among the leaders. But he must contend with Brooke Ennis’ kennel star Deadly Vane.

The $1.70 hot favourite ran fourth in the group 2 Warrnambool Cup in April before injury condemned him to six months away from the track.

He returned by claiming a free-for-all at Wannon Park last month and backed up by chasing down Belena Prince to win a heat in 25.10 last Thursday.

“My bloke did everything right but just wasn’t strong enough,” Brewer said.

“He began brilliantly, probably the best he’s began in his life. He came out running, opened up a break of four or so lengths.

“Deadly Vane just wore him down in the straight, beat him by two-and-a-half lengths. He’s a pretty handy dog.

“My bloke is going all right. He’s just got to do everything like he did last week. If he jumps all right, you never know. You’ve got to have luck on your side.”

Brewer believed Bekim Vapour and Belena Prince could win in Melbourne. He also had high hopes for two other kennel stars, Miss Harmony and Whatta Brew.

The Barry Smith-bred pair have won $40,000 between them, although Whatta Brew is sidelined with a wrist injury sustained at The Meadows last month.

“I’ve probably got four out of the five here who are good enough to win in Melbourne but you’ve got to have luck,” Brewer said.

The Warrnambool Summer Cup and Victorian Breeders’ Series final are two of three finals at Wannon Park tonight.

The other is the $7500-to-win VBIS Maiden Series final over 450 metres. Jeff Britton’s Boxhead is the likely favourite after winning a semi-final in 25.19.