By Alex Nolan
Owner and breeder Darren Leeson says Hall of Fame trainer Tony Zammit’s level-headedness and experience in big race situations make him the ideal conditioner to lead De Ferran into battle in Thursday’s Group 1 Gold Bullion Final at Albion Park.
Zammit will be chasing his first success in the Gold Bullion (formerly XXXX Trophy and Winter Carnival Cup) since 1985, when the race was contested at The Gabba, when De Ferran exits box five in the $375,000 feature.
The 28-month-old by Fabregas out of Leeson’s diminutive chaser Pennybacker made waves early in his racing career, including a run of nine-straight victories between April and September last year.
Leeson and UK-based co-owner Tony McGrath, who has been holidaying in Australia throughout the carnival, will be on course once more this week to cheer on their winner of 17 from 26.
The pair were in awe of their charge last week when he again overcame a sticky draw (box six) to score by 5.25 lengths in his heat, downing joint-Golden Ticket winner Throttle in 29.98 seconds.
And, although the pair do dare to dream with De Ferran heading towards the sternest test in his career to-date, it is Zammit that keeps their excitement in check.
The legendary trainer won 12 Brisbane trainer of the year titles between 1993 and 2006, and prepared four Queensland Greyhound of the Year recipients in Pewterfrost (1983), Cool Marvel (1990), Elusive Odie (1992) and Trojan Tears (1993).
“Tony is the right kind of trainer because, as owners, it’s easy to get carried away,” Leeson said.
“But, Tony doesn’t get carried away, he’s been there and done it all and he keeps you level-headed.
“Tony seems to think this dog has really turned a corner in the past few weeks, then sooner or later, a night like the heats happens when you get left alone early and he can do his thing.”
Sticky draws have been a common theme throughout the career of De Ferran to date.
In 26 starts he has drawn inside box four on just six occasions.
Despite this, De Ferran’s record from box five has been impressive with four wins and a minor placing from six attempts in the yellow.
“Of course, everybody wants box one in a Group final, we get that many bad box draws he’s due for one,” Leeson said.
“He doesn’t run 5.40 second first sections, he runs 5.53 seconds but you’ll have to run 5.40 seconds to cross him.
“He’s that kind of competitive dog that will charge up underneath you and try and hold you out.
“Whether it be a top sports star, as a sprinter or whatever, it’s the commitment to put in 120% effort that gives you the best chance of winning.
“And, with a dog like this, every time you put him in he gives that effort and gets his chance.”
Leeson has raced greyhounds with Zammit for more than 20 years, including the likes of M’Lady’s Fool, City Of Sydney, Frieda Las Vegas and Merchant Navy, among others.
But, even as far back as September, Leeson suspected De Ferran could be the best of the lot.
Despite going under in his Golden Ticket match-race with Shipwreck a fortnight ago, it was that night when Leeson’s suspicions were all but confirmed in his mind.
“Obviously, you start in the lower grade and hope like hell they keep progressing and make Free For All, then possibly above that level again,” he said.
“We’ve never lost faith in this dog and even though he was beaten by Shipwreck, I was in awe of his chasing effort. He was still up giving it to Shipwreck at the 600 metre boxes before he took over.
“Shipwreck ran down Zipping Kyrgios in a match race so we were realists too, but it was the fact we were still there competing was pleasing.”
De Ferran is $8 out to $10 with TAB to win the big one on Thursday.
Support has continued to flow for the Travis Elson-trained Hello Mike, who has been $3 into $2.80 since markets opened.
Boo Boo Billy ($7), Hara’s Herbie ($7) and Shipwreck ($6.50) have all drifted from their opening quotes of $5.50.
Jay Is Jay, from the Selena Zammit kennel, remains at $5 after opening that price last Thursday, with Times Three also holding solid at $8.
Surprise heat winner Come On Aussie is set to enter the race as the outsider at $34, despite drawing the coveted rails rug.