‘Bunny’ Brasch tipping classic Origin showdown

By Pat McLeod

Celebrated race caller and form analyst John ‘Bunny’ Brasch is predicting Thursday night’s Match Race at The Q to be the ‘ultimate decider’ of the hugely popular Origin Greyhound Series.

“I believe it will be one-all when Jungle Johnny (box one), for New South Wales, and Blue Blend (box three), for the Maroons, clash in the match race,” Brasch said.

“I am tipping Queensland’s front-running stayer Autumn Storm (trained by Tom Tzouvelis) will get the home state off to a winning start in the Origin Distance, but the Blues will hit back with their Group-winning sensation Good Odds Cobber (Dave Irwin) in the Origin Sprint.

“And, then this is where it comes down to the magic of Origin. Who will lift in the decider on the night?”

Beginning in 2018, and with the series tally at three-all, the Origin Greyhound Series has again attracted two star-studded line-ups who will contest three lucrative races on the Q2 Parklands circuit.

Adding to the aura on the night will be the presence of celebrity team ‘coaches’, and former Origin rugby league champions, Ben Hannant (Queensland) and Benny Elias (New South Wales).

Brasch says that while each Origin race on Thursday has the hallmark of a classic, the Match Race, has the potential to include a couple of extra, captivating ingredients.

“First of all, I am suggesting that this third race will decide the outcome of the evening, but more than that, it also could deliver its own slice of Queensland Origin folklore," Brasch said. 

“The obvious script, and the bookies’ odds, go the way of Jungle Johnny (Mark Gatt) to win the Match Race and clinch the series for NSW, if it comes down to the third race.

“And, why not. This is a dog that has the runs on the board against big-name opposition to be a future superstar.

“Jungle Johnny is a flying machine that has a come-home run that is incredible. Of course it is not that Blue Blend isn’t a quality dog. He is. He is also the current track record holder at 29.29 seconds. 

“But, Jungle Johnny has a lot more big-race experience and success.

“So, Jeff Crawford’s Blue Blend is the underdog, his back to the wall."

It’s the classic Queensland Origin story, Brasch says.

“Then, throw in the Maroons’ ‘never-say-die’ attitude, because there is a game plan based on that that delivers Queensland a win," Brasch said. 

“If Blue Blend can win the start from box three, which is a definite chance, and then find the rail and stay there, that is how I believe he can win.

“Yes, Jungle Johnny will be storming home, but if Blue Blend can dig deep and hold tough, especially late in ‘the game’, well then, another epic Origin chapter will be written.

“It is a big ask and favouritism justifiably sits with Jungle Johnny, but now it is down to the home track advantage and a bit of Queensland magic.”

In the night’s opening Origin race, the 710 metre event, Brasch says Autumn Storm will have the platform to press home her credentials as the country’s new, leading distance performer, against a group of quality chasers.

“Autumn Storm has grabbed the distance spotlight with her win in The 715 at The Gardens and then came to The Q and won the Dashing Corsair over 642 metres,” he said.

“But, there are a couple of stayers in this NSW squad who come with massive wraps. The most talk is around Syd Swain’s Zig Zag Man.

“This is his first go over the 710 metres, but the prediction is already that he is on the road to becoming a staying star.

“And, NSW’s Lady Wilson (Sam Sultana) recently placed second to Raider’s Guide in the Sandown Cup Final.

“Queensland also has the very impressive Red Dirt Road (Tim Britton).

“However, there are few things in greyhound racing as exciting as a quality front-running stayer. That is what Autumn Storm is and I tip she will add another victory to her CV on Thursday night.”

While Brasch says the in-form Daysea’s Rory ‘will give the Maroons a big show’ on Thursday night in the Origin Sprint, he can’t ‘unsee’ the performances of the Blues’ trump card, Good Odds Cobber.

“He (Good Odds Cobber) is just such a consistent performer at the top level,” he said.

“He is the reigning Group 1 Gold Bullion champion and his winning performance in a Brisbane Cup Prelude on Flying Amy night at The Q on Saturday shows he loves The Q as much as he loved Albion Park.

“NSW also have Sooty Keeping, who won Saturday’s Flying Amy. So this will be a great race, as well.”