The ‘Brett Factor’ and home track give Queensland a Nationals edge

By Pat McLeod

The Tony Brett factor and a strong home track bias give Queensland a weighty advantage as the majority of the pieces are now in place for the August 30 National Championships at The Q.

Brett dominated proceedings on the Q Straight and then the Q2 Parklands circuits through Thursday as the Queensland entrants in the National straight track, sprint and distance proceedings were decided.

Firstly, Brett’s Darcy Dakota stormed to victory by three-and-three-quarter lengths in 18.74 seconds ahead of Jayson Valentine’s Tawari Buster and Greg Stella’s Adjourned on the straight.

Then his speed sensation Cumbria Jack edged out Tom Tzouvelis’ Daysea’s Rory by half a length to claim the state sprint crown in 29.39 seconds, with Super Scrub (trained by Travis Elson) third.

Both of Brett’s dogs came into Thursday’s events on the back of track record runs the previous week.

And, rounding out the Queensland assault was a rousing, back-to-form performance by the state’s top distance chaser, Red Dirt Road, who claimed the 710 metre crown over kennelmate Light Of Mine and Goldstar Ginny (Riley Evans) in 41.51 seconds. 

“To have two through to the National Finals, well, that is massive,” Brett said on Thursday night.

“I don't think I've ever I've done that before. And, to have two strong chances with both dogs in good form and doing the things right, I'm just rapt.

“Cumbria Jack is the sort of dog that he's a chance in every race that he goes in. He is probably one of the hardest chasing dogs I have ever put a collar and lead on.

“He is just unbelievable and never gives in. The last dog that I had like this was probably Glen Gallon. You can never count yourself out of the race with this dog.

“He was sitting wide around the turn and you're hoping that he doesn't get knocked. But, he just seems to come out in a good position and from there you hope the runs come and he just keeps coming.”

Brett said Darcy Dakota’s love of The Q was a major factor leading into the Nationals Final.

“He has had four wins and a second since he's been up here so he has been going very well,” he said.

“Darcy Dakota loves it up here.”

Tawari Buster (Jayson Valentine) has also earnt a place in the straight track National Final with his second placing. 

Brett has had plenty of experience in the Nationals. 

He has won seven state sprint titles and won the last National sprint to be held in Queensland, with Jury in 2017.

Tim Britton’s kennel may have dominated Thursday night’s state distance decider, however Red Dirt Road’s win was the result he needed.

“We had four dogs in and he (Red Dirt Road) was the dog that I needed to get through,” Britton said.

“This is special because he is such a special dog. He is so honest. Week-in, week-out he is always in the top bracket.

“He has been an absolute marvel and has come back from seven months off injured. Since then, he has not really put a foot wrong. In all his runs in that time there's only probably three that you would put a line through.

“He will run his race (in the National Final). If he gets beaten by a better dog on the night, then he gets beaten by better dog.

“But, he knows this place. He is honest and he is strong. He doesn't run a bad race very often.

“If he can jump second or third every week then I will put money that he will be right there at the finish every week, if not in front.”