Showman Jack retains Rising Stars hopes after first Albion Park run

By Jordan Gerrans

John Smart still has the upcoming Group 3 Rising Stars series in his sights despite a lacklustre first look at Albion Park for his up-and-coming dog Showman Jack on Thursday evening.

The Camden South-based kennel were keen to give their promising youngster a look at the Brisbane circuit before returning in the coming weeks for the series for greyhounds that are less than 30 months of age.

The white brindle dog did not have much go his way on Thursday from box two as he was checked a couple of times and was buffeted back to near the tail of the field.

He eventually finished almost a dozen lengths behind the winner - Robert Ayres’ Lucky Lance.

Experienced trainer Smart has not given up hope of returning to the Sunshine State to try and claim the $37,500 on offer in the Group 3 Rising Stars Final.

“We have a fortnight to think about it and see how he pulls up,” Smart said.

“We will have a think about it all.

“He has been a good dog for us so far, he can gallop – do not worry about that.

“He is a good dog.

“We were keen to take him up there against his age group and stay away from Wentworth Park.”

The emerging dog had put together a strong record at Wentworth Park before heading to Queensland, winning six of 13, running a best time of 29.51 seconds in one of those victories.

The Smart kennel have enjoyed travelling north over the years, with Showman Jack’s dam Lovelace running in the money on three occasions from six attempts over the staying journey during her racing days.

Lovelace qualified for a Gold Cup Final back in 2016.

“She is still at home now,” Smart said.

“She was a very good dog.”

The Smarts previously lived in the Sunshine State for a year, running a pub at Ipswich during the time.

Another likely Rising Stars series contender - Tony Zammit’s De Ferran – pushed his sparkling record to 11 victories from 13 starts on Thursday night, stopping the clock in 29.85 seconds.

With John working full-time on the council in Sydney as well as having five in his kennel, his wife took Showman Jack to Brisbane for the run this week.

He expects if they were to return in the coming weeks, she would leave a day earlier and give the promising youngster a little more time to settle into his conditions.

“He never really got a look at the track on Thursday night as I think the drive took the edge of him at the start,” Smart said.

“He is still only a young dog.”

Smart believes Showman Jack – who he owns as well as training - will be better for the run if he is to return.

“That was the aim to give him a look at the track instead of trialling,” Smart said.

“Maybe we should have trialled.

“But, we gave him a look at the track and he can come back in two weeks for the heats.”

Also at Albion Park on Thursday night, the Zammit kennel trained a winning double as Deemed A Liar also got the cash early in the program. 

Deemed A Liar is unbeaten in two career starts.