Winter carnival heats up with seven sizzling Flying Amy Classic heats

By Pat McLeod

Premier Queensland greyhound race caller and prominent Brisbane form analyst John ‘Bunny’ Brasch says the ‘best ever’ heats line-up for the Group 2 Flying Amy Classic at Albion Park on Thursday night is a fitting tribute to the feature’s namesake.

“Flying Amy was a very special greyhound and to see seven heats dripping with talent in her honour is extremely fitting,” Brasch said.

Brasch will be calling the action for the heats and the following week’s Final. 

“This race dates back to the Gabba days of racing, first held as the Queensland Puppy Classic in 1985. It was renamed the Flying Amy Classic in 1999 in honour of a champion who was twice selected as Queensland Greyhound of the Year (1994 and 1995)," he said. 

“In 2023 this age restricted race is worth a whopping $225,000 with $150,000 to the winner and has attracted some of the best young chasers from right across Australia.

“Over the years some of the greats have won this race - Jungle Deuce (2021), Feral Franky (2019), He Knows Uno (2011), just to name a few.

“The quality is definitely here this year and a sensational way for the Winter Carnival to build momentum towards our first ever Queensland, million-dollar race, the Group 1 Brisbane Cup on July 7.

“It will be interesting to see which of these young stars, from Queensland and interstate, will still be part of the carnival equation then.”

Thursday night’s racing at Albion Park is top shelf, from races one through to 12.

The program starts with a Brisbane Cup Prelude, an innovation designed as part of the lead-up for the Brisbane Cup. First place prize money for each Prelude is $16,000.

The first Prelude will be conducted at Wednesday’s Albion Park meeting and has attracted a field that includes local stars Cash Master, Jay Is Jay, Shipwreck and Black Magic Rose.

On Thursday night, races two to eight are the Flying Amy Classic heats, followed by four heats of the Group 3 Garrard’s Carnival Chase over 600 metres.

Every Flying Amy heat includes boom youngsters, such as emerging South Australian superstar Victa Damian (trained by Lisa Rasmussen) in heat two, who already has the Group 1 National Derby Final at Wentworth Park and the Group 3 Howard Ashton Final at Angle Park to his name.

Greyhound racing debutantes, mother and daughter team, Arlene Roy and Vanessa Heather, continue their incredible journey in the sport when Professor Snitch returns to Albion Park in heat five of the Flying Amy Classic.

Arlene and Vanessa made headlines earlier this year when their first foray into greyhounds – litter mates Professor Snitch and Professor Sirius - both had sparkling starts to their race careers at Ipswich and Albion Park.

Both began their careers with two wins and a placing from three starts, with both winning on debut at Ipswich. Professor Snitch gained attention with a 12.5 length debut victory over 431 metres, when she lowered the maiden class record at Ipswich to 24.67 seconds.

Professor Snitch then won on debut at Albion Park on February 16 before both dogs were sent south to Victorian trainer Steve White.

Professor Snitch returns to Albion Park for the Flying Amy Classic series with a further three wins, from three starts, down south.

“Of course mum and I will be there on Thursday night,” Vanessa said. 

“We went down to her last start when she won at Warragul.

“It will be lovely to watch her on home turf. We are so excited, so much nervous energy. It is unbelievable.

“The quality of the Flying Amy heats is unreal. Obviously, we are beginners, so we have no idea what to expect, but listening to what people are talking about, the most hotly contested Flying Amy heats ever, it is just unreal.

“It is also fantastic to be part of this atmosphere.

“Obviously we would like to see her win on Thursday night, but as far as expectations – it would be great if she came out of the box early. She has had some issues coming out of the box late.

“We just want to see her improve there hopefully, run a really good race and come out the other end unscathed. And, just for her to do her best.”

Both women have a long history in breeding and showing golden retrievers and Dobermans.

That progressed to greyhound ownership and their association is set to get even deeper into the industry.

“We are currently rearing four young greyhounds that are about eight months old,” Vanessa said. 

“I am also in the process of getting my trainer’s licence, so yes, we are definitely pursing things further as far as greyhounds go.

“We are still so rapt. This is the best thing that we have ever done. We love the industry. We love these two race dogs. It just has been awesome.”