Queensland team full of confidence ahead of Straight Of Origin series Final

By Jordan Gerrans

With the TAB Origin Greyhound title already in Queensland’s hands, the Maroon team now believe they are well placed to add the 2022 Straight Of Origin series to their accolades.

In a memorable night of greyhound racing at Albion Park earlier this month, it was Ned Snow’s Shipwreck who prevailed in the Match Race of 2022 to hand Queensland the series title with a 2-1 margin.

The state against state concept has now turned to the straight track at Capalaba.

The heats of the series were run on Sunday afternoon – with Black Comanche in 19.61 seconds for Greg Stella posting the fastest time for the locals – ahead of Sunday’s Listed Final.

The first four past the post from the NSW heat on Sunday – Mr. America, Slingshot Hooks, Cash View and Country Double - will go into this week’s $15,000 Final for visitors. 

Queensland will be represented by speedster Black Comanche, champion trainer Tony Brett’s Milligan, Capalaba specialist Ninetymile King and former Capalaba Cup winner Impact, who finished second to Black Comanche in their heat.

The locals have dominated the Straight Of Origin series in recent campaigns and Bianca Whitford – who prepares Ninetymile King – believes the Queensland team have what it takes to keep the ball rolling this year.

“I think it is a red hot field with some fantastic straight dogs and it will be a good quality race,” Whitford said.

“I think Queensland should have the edge and hopefully one of the locals can get the victory.”

The Coominya-based Whitford walked away with the Brisbane Trainers Strike Rate Award for her consistent campaign at the most recent Greyhound of the Year awards.

Ninetymile King is a seven-time winner down the grass track at Capalaba and while he thrives at the venue, the kennel had bigger plans for him in the middle stages of the year.

They had hoped he would be a Group race contender during the recently completed winter carnival but a couple of setbacks ruled the fast-finisher out of figuring at the highest level in Queensland.

He did make it back for a Brisbane Cup heat – where he ran an encouraging fourth around the turning track – before reverting his attention to his beloved straight.

“We thought we would then keep him fresh with the Straight of Origin in mind,” Whitford said.

“The prize money for the Final is pretty good for a race like this at Capalaba.”

Starting at the healthy quote of $12, Ninetymile King did not look like a winning chance nearing the closing stages of the 366-metre dash but finished like a rocket to edge out a trio of chasers in a diving finish.

Whitford described her emotions post-race as “over the moon” with the performance, noting her star dog is not suited to the sprint trip.

While Ninetymile King boasts an impressive record of seven victories and half a dozen minor placings from 13 starts at Capalaba, Whitford thinks it could be even better if there was a longer option at the track.

As he did on Sunday, the son of My Bro Fabio only winds up late over the sprint trip, after getting away slowly, as he won over more than 700 metres at Albion Park earlier in his career. 

“He loves Capalaba, his record up there is great, not ever being unplaced at the track,” she said.

“It is super – we trial him there most times between runs when he is racing up over the middle distances.

“He has been up there a lot; he just loves the place.

“If the track was 50 metres longer, he would dominate as he only starts warming up just before the post.”

Of her own kennel, Whitford says she is working up a nice new litter with the breeding of My Superstar and Fernando Bale, who she is keen to see at the track in the near future.

Ninetymile King is also a son of My Superstar.

NSW heat winner Mr. America stopped the clock at 19.76 seconds and his trainer Darren Sultana thinks he can go faster come Sunday's Final. 

“He improved from the 20.06 seconds he trialled at his first look at Capalaba and the 19.76 was a good run,” Sultana told the Greyhound Recorder.

“He came out running off the rails and hopefully he can draw near the fence in the Final.

“But, in the trial he did follow the drag lure up the centre.

“He’s got a big motor this dog and all business when he gets onto the track.”

The Straight Of Origin series has been dominated by the locals in recent years with Precious Sal, Oliver Keeping for the Zammit kennel and Coco Benz claiming the Final.