By Jordan Gerrans
Queensland coach Ben Hannant is banking on a positive flow-on effect from Tony Brett’s dual Group 1 triumph to give the Maroons the edge in the 2022 TAB Origin Greyhound Series on Thursday night.
It was a red-letter day for the Brett team last Thursday at Albion Park, with Orchestrate – who is already an Origin specialist - and kennel mate Just A Sort, the first two past the post in the Group 1 $525,000 Brisbane Cup.
The short-course runners will back up in the Origin Sprint over 520 metres as the Hannant-led team aim to take back the shield, after the visitors won it 2-1 last year.
The Brett kennel also prepared the winner of the Group 1 Queensland Cup last week with Collinda Patty.
The staying star will not be in maroon colours on Thursday night as she was only in Brett’s care for a short period of time and usually resides with the leading Jason Thompson kennel in Victoria.
Hannant – a Maroon’s legend in the rugby league – is back for his second year as Queensland coach and is optimistic Brett’s recent stunning run of form will rub off on the rest of the squad.
“I know NSW has some great dogs, but I am really impressed with the form of Tony Brett’s kennel,” Hannant said.
“Queenslander’s should be excited about these dogs; they did fantastic in the Brisbane Cup.
“He will have his dog’s ready to go, representing Queensland and I am excited to see how they go.”
New South Wales is $1.40 to win its third Origin Greyhound Shield for celebrity coach Terry Hill, with Queensland – led by Hannant – the $2.80 underdogs.
Long-time dog man Hill loves nothing more than beating Queenslander’s on their home soil and he believes he has a squad that can do it again this year.
“We are the defending champions and I think we have a great team of dogs this year,” Hill said.
“When you beat Queensland at something in Queensland, it means everything.
“They are hard to beat, always.”
While Hannant and his team did not lift the shield in 2021, he was buoyed by the performance.
The series was tied at one apiece after Barsandi won the distance for New South Wales and Orchestrate the sprint for Queensland.
Jungle Deuce and Extra Malt then squared off in an epic match race where the southerner was a touch too good.
“I love being involved with the dog’s and the concept of State of Origin, Queensland up against New South Wales,” Hannant said.
“It is just like the footy, we put up a really good fight last year and were brave, but we were unlucky in a few of the races.
“I am really excited to be involved for another year and I will say a few good things in the dog’s ears to hopefully get the win this year.
“I loved the experience of coming to the dogs, bringing all my children, they loved watching the races and the atmosphere.
“There is a job to be done on Thursday night.”
There was plenty of pre-series banter at the box draw on Monday at Albion Park and the Queensland leader says he will let his dog’s to the talking on when the lights shine brightest.
“Terry Hill was a bit smug last year and he is confident again this year as well,” Hannant said.
“We want to make sure Queensland gets the win.”
Asked for a prediction on how the series will pan out in 2022, Hill said he believes NSW will put the result to bed before the Match Race is even contested.
Betting on the series result, for which New South Wales (2-1) is the $2.10 favourite, can be found in the ‘Racing Extras’ section on the TAB app and website.