Nationals curtain closes with spectacular Brett and Jack show

By Pat McLeod

Master trainer Tony Brett, Cumbria Jack and The Q ensured the 2025 Nationals’ closing act showcased greyhound racing as a sport with a spectacular future.

“It is special because it shows we have a whole new era of racing here now,” Brett said. 

The conditioner had guided Cumbria Jack to victory in the Group 1 National Sprint Final over 520 metres on the Q2 Parklands track on Saturday night.

“Standing behind the boxes and to hear that roar from the crowd, well, especially as a Queenslander, that was just amazing," he said.

“We used to have to go to Melbourne to race in front of a big crowd with a packed grandstand.

“It was an incredible thrill and so great to win this race on your home track. It really is a new era for greyhound racing.”

The three-race National Championships - across straight track, sprint and distance - are the on-track highlight of the annual Nationals gathering, which brings all sections of the industry together for several days of key meetings and social gatherings.

The industry’s spectacular new facility shone, with the three championship races staged at the one venue for the first time and all three tracks being showcased through the night.

And, as it should be, the racing was the highlight with the New South Wales-owned, but Queensland-raced Cumbria Jack the highlight.

The Stephen Fitch-owned, Fernando Bale and Cumbria Ninno chaser emerged from the early scrum as part of a three-way tussle with Jason Thompson’s Group 1 stars Tim Zoo and Flying Zulu.

However, Cumbria Jack announced his emergence as a true track star, moving up a gear in the back straight to take the lead from those two stars and racing to a two-and-a-quarter-lengths win over Tim Zoo with Flying Zulu third in 29.39 seconds. 

“I just love this dog. What a way to finish up before he goes home,” said an elated Brett. 

“The first surprise in that race was Flying Zulu jumping so well from the eight. I looked to the inside and there was a heap of trouble. I wasn't sure whether Cumbria Jack was going to get caught up in that.

“As soon as they were around the first bend, I was standing right beside Jason (Thompson) and he said, ‘We are running first three’ and I said, ‘This is going to be a race.’

“The three of them all are as strong as. When Cumbria Jack found the front, I knew he would be hard to run down.

“I kept an eye on Tim Zoo to see how he was travelling, but my bloke was just travelling so well and was running time.”

Cumbria Jack now returns home to Stephen Fitch’s kennels at Nowra, NSW, for a Million Dollar Chase campaign.

Since being sent to the care of Brett, Cumbria Jack had 10 starts, all at The Q, for eight wins and two seconds.

“I just love when an owner has faith in their dog and Steve rang me after just two starts and said ‘this dog will be a good dog’ and asked if I could take him,” Brett said.

“We have formed a really good friendship since and that's what I love about the greyhound world. We will be friends forever. It is very special to share nights like this.   

“The plan started off with the Flying Amy and it has been an honour and a privilege to look after the dog and I can't thank Steve enough for letting me keep him up here for this amount of time.

“As it has turned out he is going back home a Group 1-winner.”

Local trainer Greg Brennan shared similar sentiments regarding the relationship between ‘partner’ kennels after the Thomas Dailly-trained Ethanol Water proved her class in a box-rise-to-winning-post victory in the Group 1 National Distance Final over 710 metres.

“I know this dog very well now,” Brennan said.

Ethanol Water recorded a three-length win over Without A Trace (trained by Peter Presutto) and Isabella’s Blitz (Decota Curran) in 41.20 seconds. 

“She has had four trips to Brisbane and stayed with me," Brennan said.

“I know exactly what to do. She goes into the same kennel. Same feed. Same routine. There are no instructions from her kennel other than, ‘Just do your thing. Don't change anything’.

“She is just a beautiful, professional race dog. Such a credit to the Dailly greyhound farms and George, Tom and Andrea.

“We have been great friends for 30 years and I just love to help them and I get a great thrill out of it. My job is to care for their dogs as if they were my own.”

There was a two-state celebration when the Tasmanian-owned, Victorian-trained Mile A Minute claimed back-to-back victories in the Group 3 National Straight Track Championship Final over 350 metres on the Q Straight.

Trained by Brad Greenough and owned and bred by Rod Campbell, Mile A Minute, jumped well from the three box, surged to the lead and then powered to the line to win by two lengths from fellow Victorian Serial Sticker (Brendan Pursell) with favourite Darcy Dakota (Tony Brett) third, in 18.83 seconds. 

“I think him getting the start right was the thing that stood out for me,” Greenough said. 

“A lot of his races have been won or lost at the start. He nailed it and I could not be happier.

“This dog is 'Mr Consistency' and he has been the one that has held us up during a bit of a dry spell, so a fan favourite for us.”

Greenough said he and Mile A Minute had the perfect 10-day preparation leading into the straight track decider staying with his close friend, Casino trainer Tyson Barton.

He said the dog would now be aimed at another back-to-back feat, the Healesville Cup (heats on September 7 before the Final on September 14).

The $75,000-to-the-winner, Group 2 Capalaba Cup (heats on October 5 before the Final on October 12) was also a possibility.

“Tyson did mention the Capalaba Cup,” Greenough said. 

“It is always an option. $75,000 to the winner is not small money. It can't be ignored and will be part of the thought process.”