Beckett hoping Play Dirty returns to his winning start

By Josh Spasaro

If Play Dirty can benefit from a little bit of early luck and jump well, Central Queensland trainer Dallas Beckett believes his speedster would take some beating in the first Rockhampton Grand Prix Heat over 510 metres on Wednesday night.

Over the same distance in the Rockhampton Cup Final on April 16, the three-year-old pinged the lids in fine fashion from box one, leading at the first turn.

But, a check saw him relinquishing that lead, before fighting hard to finish fourth.

“Normally he’s a good beginner. When he doesn’t, he comes out like a bombshell, like he did in the Cup," Beckett said. 

“Hopefully he does it again. Just need a bit of luck early.”

Play Dirty has drawn the coveted box one for Wednesday night, but Beckett, who is based at Gracemere, just a few kilometres out of Rockhampton, wanted seven or eight.

“If you watch in the Rocky Cup, he came out like a bombshell. But, he went straight out to the middle of the track,” Beckett said.

“So that’s his pattern, more or less. I’d prefer him drawn out wide.”

Since the Rockhampton Cup, Play Dirty has registered three runner-up finishes and a victory, all on his home track.

Last start, over 407 metres, he pushed last year’s Rockhampton Grand Prix Final-winner Edgewood, finishing three-quarters of a length off the pace.

“He’s in good form, but he hasn’t had a real good lead-up,” Beckett said.

“But, he’s feeling good. I wouldn’t say I’m overconfident, though. It’s a good field that he’s up against.”

Beckett said he was expecting his chaser and Edgewood to meet in this year’s instalment of the Rockhampton Grand Prix Final.

“I’d be surprised if they both don’t get there,” Beckett said.

“This week it’s all about finishing in the first four and going from there.”

Beckett said Play Dirty would relish racing at 510 metres for the first time since the Rockhampton Cup.

“He’s just been running the sprints. Now he’s back to the 510 metres, which suits him better,” Beckett said.

Play Dirty is by Fernando Bale dog Speed Star, who recorded 47 wins from 113 starts for trainer Andrea Dailly and owner Sonia Davis, picking up $105,325 in career earnings.

And, he is out of Sapphire Ruby, who saluted on seven occasions from 52 starts.

Beckett said Play Dirty's early pace was passed down to him by Speed Star.

"I owned Sapphire Ruby and I gave her back to Sonia and Craig Davis. They always wanted her back to breed with," Beckett said.

"She was a real good bitch. Speed Star seems to throw a bit of early speed into them and a bit of strength.

"Even though he was only a sprinter, quite a few of his progeny coming through are pretty strong."

Meanwhile, the 71-year-old Beckett revealed next year’s Rockhampton Cup would be his last before travelling around Australia.

“I’m going to do all of Australia first. And, then I’ll look at overseas,” he said.

“It’ll be in a mobile home. An RV would be the way to go.

“I’ve always loved them (greyhounds) and I’ve been involved with them for about 25 years now.”

Beckett has also loved being a part of the Rockhampton greyhound racing community.

“I’ve had four greyhounds of the year at Ipswich. I’ve had six up here. I’ve been really fortunate with good people,” he said.

“Most are pretty good people involved in it up here. For me, it’s not just the racing.

“You get different people coming in all the time and the majority of them are pretty good.”

Beckett said Play Dirty – with 24 wins from 46 starts and $86,525 in career prizemoney – was one of the best greyhounds he has trained.

“He’d be up in the top four that I’ve had,” Beckett said.

“Twelve Plus Two, he was an out-and-out champ. He’s probably the best I’ve ever had. Play Dirty would be right up there with him.”