Coach Ben Hannant is brimming with confidence following the selection of a star-studded Queensland squad for this year’s TAB Origin Greyhound Series.
A State of Origin specialist in his playing days, Hannant is back for revenge in his second campaign as Queensland coach, having dropped the 2021 series to New South Wales 2-1 in a dramatic night of racing.
Just a week after the $525,000 Sky Racing Brisbane Cup, the Origin Greyhound Series returns to Albion Park on July 14 with two $75,000 Group 3 races – the Origin Sprint and Origin Distance – along with the Listed Origin Match Race.
In 2022, the popular Origin Greyhound Series makes the move to a new position on the calendar, acting as the finale for the Carnival’s closing night, coinciding with the NRL’s State of Origin decider in Brisbane on July 13.
The card also features the Regional Origin Challenge and Queensland Emerging Origin Stars, with both run over the 520-metre journey.
In total, nine greyhounds will represent Queensland and NSW next month, with each state naming their preliminary squads of 25 earlier today.
In Hannant’s first year in charge, it was tied at one apiece after the opening two events – with Orchestrate scoring in the sprint for the locals – before star dog Jungle Deuce claimed the Origin Match Race in a thrilling finish ahead of Queensland Greyhound of the Year finalist Extra Malt to seal the series.
During a decorated playing career, Hannant notched up 245 NRL games and won 12 caps for the Maroons – along with six for Australia – as one of the most imposing forwards in the game.
Unbeaten in the Origin cauldron across five series’ from 2008 to 2012, Hannant is keen to transfer that winning touch to the greyhound code and claim the 2022 series over his fierce rival, NSW’s coach Terry Hill.
“We have seen in the NRL that Queensland won the first game of the series – and will go on to claim the title – and that is what I plan to do with the TAB Origin Greyhound Series,” Hannant said.
“Form goes out the window when you represent Queensland.
“It’s whoever wants it most, it’s about heart, and it’s bred into us in Queensland.”
The Maroons squad will be headlined by last year’s Origin sprint hero Orchestrate – from the Tony Brett kennel – who returned from a spell in stunning form earlier this month with a strong victory at Albion Park.
In the staying ranks, the Ned Snow-trained Oh Oh Range will bring his outstanding form from the recent The Ladbrokes 715 series – where he finished fourth - to the Origin arena.
For a fourth straight year, charismatic dog lover Terry Hill will lead NSW into battle, having won the series on multiple occasions already.
Having won two Group 1 events across his last six starts, the NSW squad will against be bolstered by champion chaser Jungle Deuce.
The popular Jungle Deuce always brings an array of fans when he runs in the Sunshine State and his inclusion will no doubt bring the patrons to the track to see him perform once again.
The son of Barcia Bale put on a show in wet conditions in February at Albion Park to add the 2022 Group 1 Gold Bullion trophy to his resume, just weeks after collecting the Paws of Thunder and Golden Sands.
Also coming out of The Ladbrokes 715 series Final, NSW stayer Sound Of Silence is a strong inclusion for the Blues squad.
The Frank Hurst-trained dog finished second in the lucrative The Ladbrokes 715 Final, five lengths ahead of Queensland stayer Oh Oh Range.
Click here for more information on the 2022 TAB Origin Greyhound Series.
Dogs from outside the squads are able to be drafted into the final teams if their form is warranted over the coming weeks.
