Tzouvelis gets preview of rising talent on awards eve

By Pat McLeod

Headline trainer Tom Tzouvelis will go into Friday night’s Queensland Greyhound Of The Year Awards with the perfect indicator of who his next kennel hero will be.

The South Brisbane-based conditioner has two contenders – Daysea’s Rory and Autumn Storm - in the running for the state’s major annual accolade.

On Thursday night on the Q2 Parklands circuit he will showcase two of his ‘next generation’ of potential stars – Zipping Urban and Zipping Lipa - in the Group 3 Rising Stars Final over 520 metres.

“I hope Urban has got the ability to be one day be up there performing like Rory has throughout his career,” Tzouvelis said.

Zipping Urban was the fastest qualifier for the race and has won 11 of 20 starts to date.

“These are the sort of races that tell us if we are ready for the next step or not," Tzouvelis said.

“Urban can definitely run the times. He is 26 months old and a big lump of a dog, nearly 36kg.

“You would think that his best racing will be when he is about two-and-a-half.

“He may not be faster then, but he will have learnt how to race.

“Fingers crossed he can take that next step to Group level.

“We are hoping that this is the case because if we have a dog that is good enough, we certainly like to take them to whatever race they are eligible and good enough for. 

"The early signs are good.”

While rapt in Zipping Urban’s blooming talent, Tzouvelis is slightly in awe of the dogs surrounding him on Thursday night.

“It was a quality lineup for the heats last week and it has brought together a very nice field for the Final on Thursday night,” Tzouvelis said.

“There is not one dog in that race that you wouldn't want to take home.

“Quite a few of these young dogs I have no doubt will mature and feature in the upcoming Queensland winter carnival.

“And, this is not the last time these dogs will meet in a Group Final.

“It is not often that you look at a field of young dogs and see the times that these group of young dogs are displaying.

“There are some serious dogs in this race.

“So, it is not a race that you can be over-confident with - but I do like our draw.”

Tzouvelis explained why each of the runners from other kennels had winning claims.

“Sironen Tiger (box one) won the Vince Curry, is a very good dog and has a very good draw," he said. 

“Neame (box two) is pretty underrated. People probably don't realise how good this dog is. It is the leader of the race.

“She’s All Fire (box five), another very good dog and a definite winning chance.

“Malawi Rebel (box six) is a young dog on the way up.

“The run of Malicious (box seven) in the heats was super. Coming from behind, that was an incredible run - as good as any run on the night.

“And, Terra Bella (box eight) looks like a very promising race dog as well.”

Tzouvelis said his best hope in the race was based around Zipping Urban staying as close to Neame as possible early in the race.

“We have to try to hold on to his (Neame’s) coattails early,’ he said.

“We are a bit stronger than what he is and so we have to be up there early, sitting outside.

“Coming home, we know what Urban is capable of.”