'The Jet' finally flies back into winner’s circle

By Pat McLeod

There was an undeniable spring in Sean Galloway’s step when he jogged away from the centre circle after the running of the Pink Ribbon Trophy at Albion Park on Thursday night.

‘The Jet’ was back and the weight of relief lifted from Galloway’s shoulders was obvious.

In winning the $15,700 feature against a small, but quality field, Springtime Jet had finally shown that he was at least somewhere near the path that was heading towards Group race glory several months ago.

Owners, and long-time trainer-breeders, Jean and Ian Hose handed the training lead to Galloway early this year when 'The Jet' was in sensational form.

The Fernando Bale and Spring Time Girl chaser had won two from two for Galloway and was one of Queensland’s glittering hopes heading towards the rich 2023 Queensland Winter Greyhound Racing Carnival. 

Then disaster struck.

In the opening heat of the Rockhampton Cup series on April 21 Springtime Jet jumped as favourite, but his race was over before the first corner when he was involved in a fall.

Thankfully, there were no serious physical injuries. 

In a frustrating run since, Galloway has searched to again unlock the dog’s potential.

He had 13 starts without gracing the winner’s circle.

Then, on Thursday night 'The Jet' delivered.

“There was a lot of stress relieved tonight,” Galloway said.

“He just hasn't won, not since before the winter carnival. Tonight’s run didn't surprise me at all. It has just been one of those things.

“I'm hopeful that he will be back better than ever.

“The timing is perfect leading into some good races that are coming up. We will just see how he pulls up and we will take it from there.”

The initial big race target for Springtime Jet is expected to be the $150,000-to-the-winner Ipswich Cup, with the Final on November 2.

Thursday night’s win came in 29.94 seconds, by two-and-a-half lengths over Tomahawk Hayze (trained by Sandra Hunt) with Hara’s Herbie (Jemma Daley) third.

The Pink Ribbon Trophy is part of Racing Queensland’s week of raising funds and awareness for the National Breast Cancer Foundation.

As part of Thursday night’s greyhound meeting at Albion Park, Racing Queensland, Sky Racing and the Brisbane Greyhound Racing Club each donated $1,000 for every winner out of box eight.

Across the 11-race card, three runners from ‘the pink’ saluted – race three Hidden Agenda (Tony Short), race six Here Wolfe (Jedda Cutlack) and race 11 Hoover (Cecil Druery).

Hidden Agenda’s tight win in a classy 600 metre free for all race was a welcome return to the top step of the podium.

The Group performer powered to the line to edge out dog-of-the-moment Adulate in 34.94 seconds, with Ray Burman’s Blue Hornet third.

“He certainly came home very well,” trainer of Hidden Agenda Tony Short said. 

“I have eased him off over the past few weeks just to freshen him up a little bit.

“So that certainly worked. He is very close to his best again and I'll be stepping him back up to 710 metres. I thought the run was exceptional.”

Hidden Agenda has amassed just short of $185,000 in 61 starts, from 22 wins and 23 placings.

Another long-term South East Queensland trainer, Renald Attard, was just as chuffed with his veteran performer Blazing Smoke, when he staged the finish of the night, blitzing home to win a fourth grade 520 metre event in 30.44 seconds. 

“He is pretty strong - a 600 metre dog,” Attard said after Blazing Smoke had scorched past Deemed A Liar (Tony Zammit) and Hello Bill (Cyndie Elson).

“He is just such a consistent dog and his prize money is getting up there ($84,715 from 89 starts).

“He is a special dog to us, a good dog, who just hasn't had much luck with the draw across his career. He grows a leg when he gets an inside draw. I will probably go back up to 600 metres now and he is also getting to the masters stage.

“No part of that run surprised me. When I saw him running third I was confident that he would run over them. He is a super strong. We thought he could win and we certainly backed him.”

Tony Zammit’s rising distance star Valpolicella continued her glory road run with an impressive 41.77 second personal best to win a free for all race over 710 metres by six lengths over Select Moment (Gary Mackay) and Titanium Gunn (Jeff Crawford).

“That was an enormous personal best,” Zammit said. 

“The good thing about that race was that when she was behind she seemed to use her head a bit in the field.

“That is a very good asset for a stayer because you can't always lead and at least in the 700 metre races they do have time to wind up.

“I am still hoping to give her a race start at Wentworth Park in the lead-up to the Sydney Cup (heats on October 6).”