Life on the road suits Shipwreck just fine

By Alex Nolan

If Shipwreck knew what awaited him should he win Thursday’s Listed Queensland Flame Final at Albion Park, the Ned Snow-trained dog might just be unstoppable.

The winner of the $60,000 feature over 520 metres at Albion Park wins a ticket into the world’s richest slot race for greyhounds, the $1.65 million The Phoenix at The Meadows in December.

That sort of prize money is the stuff owners and trainers dream of.

But, for Shipwreck, the carrot dangling in front of him is somewhat more simplistic.

Dave Eisel, Shipwreck’s regular handler explains.

“He settles in well and enjoys life at the motel,” Eisel said after last Thursday’s heat.

“He thought he was right at home down south and wasn’t so pleased about coming back home and going back into the kennel.”

Eisel is referring to Shipwreck’s recent trip to Victoria, where he won on debut at The Meadows and placed second in a Melbourne Cup prelude before running seventh in his heat as $3.30 chance. 

It was the second time Shipwreck had headed south and acquitted himself well, after winning on debut at Wentworth Park in July in a blistering 29.32 seconds.

“He travels beautifully because he’s been going back and forth down there, but he’s been unlucky,” Eisel said.

“He can handle all the travelling and doesn’t need much work, he’s fit and going really well."

Eisel was pleased to see Shipwreck post a fast time in Thursday’s heat, after making a late dive to nail Springtime Jet by the narrowest of margins.

The Group 3 Vince Curry Memorial winner and Origin Greyhound Series match race victor from earlier this year has drawn box seven in the Final.

Eisel admits he would prefer Shipwreck to draw an even box due to his manners out of the odds.  

TAB traders agree, somewhat, posting Shipwreck as the $4 third-elect in its early market for the Queensland Flame Final.

Fellow heat winner De Ferran, for legendary trainer Tony Zammit, was posted as the $2.80 favourite.

Springtime Jet, who looked to pinch the race from Shipwreck in their heat, is the $3.50 second elect.

Hara’s Herbie was able to bypass the heats thanks to winning the Ipswich Cup but after drawing box five has been marked $12 with TAB.

The only mover as of Tuesday was the Selena Zammit-trained Jay Is Jay, who is $9.50 in from $12.

Shipwreck helped Snow become just the third trainer to taste double success in the rich Vince Curry Memorial Maiden series at Ipswich earlier this year, following his success with Whoops A Daisy back in 2003.

Shipwreck would go on to become a local hero when he claimed the Origin Match Race for Queensland in a stirring battle over 520 metres at Albion Park with outstanding chaser Zipping Kyrgios.

Shipwreck is from the talented Out Of Range and Aussie Diamond litter that has produced eight individual winners for more than $430,000 in prize money.

Shipwreck’s listed owner and trainer Snow’s daughter Tanya, who is often credited with carrying out the bulk of the work behind the scenes, told Racing Queensland: “This would have to be one of our best litters ever, they are going so well.”

“To have so many that have proven themselves out of one litter is just amazing,” Tanya said.

The litter includes multiple Group 1 and rich ‘The 715’ finalist, Oh Oh Range, along with recent The Meadows winner, Pocket Money, and Ipswich Cup finalist Come On Aussie.