Jay Is Jay nails another classic Maroon comeback

By Pat McLeod

The King of Queensland greyhound racing, Jay Is Jay, and his never-say-die lieutenant, Magistrate, combined to write another classic Maroon comeback story, securing the Origin Greyhound Series 2-1 at Albion Park on Thursday night.

The two Queensland sprinters may have been the heroes of a large and boisterous crowd at ‘The Creek’, but ironically it was the words of New South Wales greyhound squad coach, rugby league great and greyhound fanatic Terry Hill, that best encapsulated the night and the snowballing success of this race concept.

“What a night. What a night of racing and what a night of incredible prize money,” the defeated Blues coach said.

Jay Is Jay (trained by Selena Zammit) stormed to a convincing win over Simply Limelight (Peter Rodgers) in the match race decider, the third of three Origin races, which boasted $360,000 in prize money.

“This concept is fantastic and just gets better and better. Well done Queensland greyhound racing. You are the leader of the pack," Hill said. 

Queensland have now snuck ahead 3-2 in the five Origin Greyhound Series held since the inaugural event in 2018.

Queensland’s ‘kennel coach’, Ben Hannant, who represented the Maroons 12 times in the rugby league Origin arena, ensured the rivalry would remain in the greyhound version.

“This is our second win in a row,” Hannant said.

“We have been through a rugby league era where the Maroons won eight in a row. So that is our aim.”

The animated crowd was dulled after the opening event, the Group 3 Origin Greyhound Series Distance Final over 710 metres, when emerging NSW distance star Palawa King surged home over the top of Queenslanders Blue Hornet (Raymond Burman) and Sorority (Jedda Cutlack).

“I feel just fabulous,” Maree Smith, who trains Palawa King with husband Jack, said. 

“All the stress is off me now. I have done my bit and now it is up to the others to do their bit.”

However, that would not be how the script would unfold.

In the second race, the Group 3 Origin Greyhound Series Sprint Final over 520 metres, Queenslanders Magistrate (Greg Stella) and Tomahawk Hayze (Sandra Hunt) led from the boxes through to the shadows of the post.

In a scramble to the line Tomahawk Hayze struck trouble as another Maroon, Hello Mike, charged late.

However it was Magistrate who stayed tough, winning by one and three-quarters of a length to Hello Mike with the Blues’ Wyndra All Class (Daniel Gatt) third.

“That was a clutch race, very important, but all credit to the dog,” Stella said. 

“He is not known to come from behind. He might not be the fastest dog, but he is a very hard trier. He puts in 100 per cent and that got the job done tonight.

“The time (29.96 seconds) wasn't brilliant, but he has come from behind and I don't think he has ever won a 500 metre race off the speed.

“He has toughened up.”

With the series at one-all the stage had been perfectly set for the Origin Greyhound Series Match Race over 520 metres.

The decider: Queensland’s Albion Park track record holder Jay Is Jay versus NSW’s Group 1 Golden Easter Egg victor Simply Limelight.

But, no sooner had the lids pinged then the race was ‘over’.

Jay Is Jay jumped in front and kept extending his lead, winning by three-and-a-quarter lengths in a sizzling 29.50 seconds. 

“It felt fantastic to win that,” Selena Zammit, who trains the dog with husband Mick, said. 

“I am a passionate Queensland supporter and when it comes to State Of Origin we go all out.

“To win this series in this fashion, a decider, this is just amazing.”

Beside her for the race was her mum, and Jay Is Jay’s owner, Lillian Jones.

“There was so much pressure because so many people believed this race was a foregone conclusion with our dog the certain winner,” Lillian said. 

“I was so stressed waiting for the race to start I felt sick and I thought I would pass out. But, I really wanted him to win for Queensland.”

Brisbane Greyhound Racing Club CEO Luke Gatehouse said Thursday’s night of racing was the best Greyhound Origin Series to date.

“The series just gets better each year,” Gatehouse said.

“Great crowd, great atmosphere and the prize money, $100,000 to the winner of both the distance and sprint and $50,000 to the match race winner, well that creates plenty of interest as well.”

The opening Origin salvo of the night went the way of the Blues with Bob Cooke’s Gypsy Joker taking out the $18,500 TAB Regional Origin Challenge Final over 520 metres.

“That was a surprise,” Cooke said. 

“She has never been able to get away to a decent start in any of her four runs here.

“I have a high opinion of her because of the way she performs back home (Casino and Grafton).

“So, it was great to see her get away well tonight and hold on and of course for the Blues to score first.”

Gypsy Joker just edged out a fast-finishing Queenslander Van Helsing (Mark Saal) with NSW’s Jimary Willow (Malcolm Ross) third.

Earlier in the night, Jemma Daley’s Hara’s Herbie returned to the track with a commanding performance in a Brisbane Cup Prelude, leaving a class field in his wake.

Having his first start since February 16, Hara’s Herbie kicked away to win by eight-and-a-quarter lengths in 29.67 seconds. Second was Rolling Empire (David Fitzgerald) with Kai Bale (Correy Grenfell) third.

There were also eye-catching 520 metres wins by Kelsey Bale (Daniel Gibbons) in 29.66 seconds and Panama Pepper (Tony Brett) in 29.64 seconds.

The night rounded off with Flying Amy Classic winner Dundee Rebel, who is in the care of local trainer Rusty Dillon during the winter carnival, taking out race 11 on the card over 520 metres.

Then his litter brother Dundee Smokey, also in the care of Dillon, took out the final race of a sensational night of racing.