Crystal Days with bright times ahead for Burman team

By Josh Spasaro

Crystal Days will have her work cut out in the Mick Byrne Memorial Final at Q2 Parklands on Saturday night, but she looks set for a bright future.

The same can be said for her litter siblings, according to the experienced Mary Burman. 

Mary Burman trains her greyhounds alongside her husband Raymond.

By Equalizer and out of their broodbitch Champagne Jazzy, the Park Ridge kennel has already overseen wins for True Hornet, Spartan, Wedgetail and Big Boy Zulu.

The litter is just 18 months old.

Black and white bitch Crystal Days also showed plenty of promise on debut, finishing third in her Mick Byrne Memorial heat over 520 metres last Thursday night, crossing the line in 30.24 seconds.

“I think they’re going to be OK and I’ll have a bit of fun with them,” Mary Burman said.

“The one who started at Capalaba (Big Boy Zulu who won on Wednesday) is 40.1kg and he’s a really nice-looking dog.

“They’re stunning-looking dogs. I liked the way Equalizer performed when he was up here in Brisbane.”

Mary Burman was impressed with Crystal Days’ effort in her first career race start, hanging on for third, and finishing four-and-a-quarter lengths behind winner To Xibalba.

To Xibalba has drawn box three for Saturday’s Listed Final, which is worth $24,000.

Cutlack will also have Sobriquet and Scarcity starting in the race, with both recording wins in their young careers.

She's Mayhem and Blue Rocket Ship have respective three and two victories for Michelle Sultana and Darryl Thomas and they will jump from boxes four and seven.

Mary Burman has a high opinion of these two chasers in a quality juvenile field.

“It’s a very competitive Final. What Crystal Days has got going for her is box one,” she said.

“One thing is she’s a really good railer. I don’t know if she’s in the same class of dogs as the couple of dogs that Darryl Thomas has got.

“The other thing you’ve got to keep in mind is she’s still a maiden.

“The other dogs have a little more experience, as well. She looks to be up against it, but one thing I think in her favour is the one box.”

Mary Burman said she was excited about the collective futures of her Equalizer and Champagne Jazzy chasers.

“They’re only 18 months of age. So, I think once they learn what it’s all about, they can only improve,” she said.

“And, they have continued to improve.”

Champagne Jazzy was a consistent bitch, winning 23 of her 83 starts.

“She was a very good straight dog. She was Greyhound of the Year at Capalaba,” Mary Burman said.

Mary Burman added she was grateful to participate in the Mick Byrne Memorial Final with $16,000 going to the winner.

“It’s unbelievable and we’re very lucky to do what we do, she could potentially win her maiden and get $16,000,” she said.