Russell kennelmates in hunt for Queensland Straight Track Championship Final

By Jordan Gerrans

If Deck Fifty Two can avoid interference in the Queensland Straight Track Championship Final, trainer Darren Russell thinks he is every chance of upsetting red-hot favourite Impact.

The 2021 Listed Capalaba Cup champion, Impact, was the quickest qualifier from Sunday’s heats, stopping the clock at 19.53 seconds up the 366-metre grass straight at Capalaba.

Russell and Deck Fifty Two were not far behind in 19.62 seconds in the first of the three heats from Capalaba on Sunday, finishing over the top of Born To Run, who defeated Deck Fifty Two just a week earlier at the track.

Deck Fifty Two has drawn box three for the Final, with Impact in the pink, with Russell kennel mate Point To Point also booking a spot in the decider and will jump from four.

Queensland’s state qualifying final will be run this Sunday with two greyhounds from each state qualifying for the NSTC Final at Capalaba worth total prize money of $37,500 ($25,000 to the winner) the following Sunday. 

Innisplain-based trainer Russell is hoping for a top two finish in the Queensland Final to earn a shot at the best from around Australia.

“The draw is not too bad, I think Deck Fifty Two can cross the two (Davey Fawner) but I am a bit worried about the one in the red - Born To Run -  who he beat in the heats,” Russell, who has a strong record at Capalaba over the last few months, said.

“Impact is going to be hard to beat, we all know that, but the job is to run second at least.

“I am confident we can at least run second. Impact is well boxed.

“My one, Deck Fifty Two, just does not need to get into any interference; if he can avoid that, I think he can run one or two.”

Russell’s Point To Point finished three lengths behind Capalaba specialist Impact – unbeaten in nine races at the track - in the third heat of the day.

Deck Fifty Two, has developed a smart record at Capalaba, winning five and running in the top three on four other occasions from 11 efforts.

“He ran down the dog that beat him the week before , Born To Run, in quick time, so I was pretty confident going into Sunday,” Russell said.

“He was drawn on the wrong side but so was the other dog Born To Run and I thought he would need to do too much work to get across, which he did. My one ran him down on the line.”

From a Barcia Bale and Mitchie Madam litter, Deck Fifty Two began his racing career with Lawrence Meteyard at Shannon Brook, before quickly his way over to the Russell kennel.

“He has been a nice dog,” Russell said.

“I picked him up after his second or third start and he is quick. He has matured a fair bit and is much stronger now.”

Terrence Priest’s Magical Trav was the other heat winner, going past the winning post in 19.69 seconds.

In other state Finals, Victoria will be represented by Dream Wizard and Ha Ha Magoo after they ran inside the top two at Healesville on Sunday afternoon.

In NSW, Olsen Street and Fibrillation booked their tickets to Queensland at Richmond on Saturday afternoon, while South Australia will run their Final on Tuesday.