By Jordan Gerrans
There is a few different versions of exciting Queensland greyhound De Ferran’s personality.
There is the De Ferran who barely gets out of bed in his kennel.
He also can be “the boss and intimidating” of his kennel mates when they are occupying somewhere he wants to lay down.
But, most of all, when De Ferran departs the Yatala-based property of champion dog man Tony Zammit, he has his game face on.
De Ferran – or Yoda as he is referred to by those who look after him – is considered one of the most promising young dogs in the Sunshine State.
Hall of Fame trainer Zammit has plans of picking up Racing Queensland’s slot in next month’s The Phoenix – the richest race for greyhounds – worth $1 million to the winner with young Yoda.
Firstly, he needs to claim the Listed Queensland Flame with his up-and-coming chaser at Albion Park on Thursday evening.
He was a stylish heat winner in 29.83 seconds last week and has drawn the five slot for Thursday’s Final, which is worth $60,000.
The respected Zammit has won numerous Group races and premierships across his tenure in the industry, but even the veteran conditioner admits to being enthralled by the carrot of landing in The Phoenix.
“This will be the biggest race I ever gone to if we were to make the Phoenix,” Zammit said.
“I have been to big staying races in Sydney as well as feature races for our sprinters over the years.
“Certainly, to see this prize money in greyhound racing, I never expected anything like this in our lifetime.
“You see prize money like this in horse racing but rarely in greyhounds.
“It is amazing to see the returns coming back to greyhound racing and participants after the great turn over numbers we have seen from wagering.”
De Ferran has stamped himself as a star on the rising since the earliest days of his career, winning 14 from 19, to go along with four other minor placings.
As Zammit explains, there is a few different types of “Yoda” that he views.
“In the kennel he is a very, very relaxed dog,” Zammit said.
“He gets a little bit funny with strangers – he is a bit funny in his personality like that – but once he gets to know you, he is great.
“I think he knows he is good, when he is out in the yard with other dogs, he will stand over them when they are in his bed until they move.
“He is the boss in that way, they usually move to another spot when he stands over them.
“He tries to intimidate them but he has plenty of competition in the kennel that want to be like him.”
De Ferran was given the nickname “Yoda” by one of Zammit‘s grandchildren, who also adore the kennel star.
“He is very good with my grand kids, they come into the kennel and play with him and they know what he is like,” the trainer said.
“He is relaxed with them and he is relaxed with them.”
Still only early in his journey as a race dog, De Ferran has adapted beautifully to the routine that comes with it all.