Local grabs the centre spotlight as the invaders strike Winter Carnival gold

By Pat McLeod

The southern invaders may have struck Brisbane Winter Carnival gold, but it was a local’s beaming smile that truly lit up Albion Park on Thursday night.

As the state’s richest ever greyhound festival stepped up a gear, the night’s three features – the $225,000 Group 2 Flying Amy Classic (won by Dundee Rebel), the $90,000 Group 3 Carnival Chase (Zipping Orlando) and the $45,000 Group 3 Dashing Corsair (Play Nice) – all went to visiting chasers.

However, as the shock subsided after Dundee Rebel ($21) had upstaged some of the nation’s best young sprinters, the spotlight was squarely on the broad smile of his stand-in trainer, Rusty Dillon, from Postmans Ridge, at the foot of the Toowoomba Range.

Dillon was ecstatic with the result, but immediately shifted the focus back to Pakenham-based owner-trainer Geoffrey Scott-Smith.

“I am over the moon. It is great to win this race - an absolute privilege,” he said.

“But, I am really happy for the bloke (Scott-Smith) in Melbourne that has put all the effort into this dog.

“Geoffrey is a great man with a dog. He has brought the dog up absolutely perfectly and I could not be any prouder than to train for him.

“When he dropped the dog off, he said, ‘I will leave this dog up with you for four or five weeks and see what you can do with him. And, I will go back home and just watch.’

“Well tonight he will be sitting on his couch watching. This is for you Geoffrey.”

As the bunny rolled for Thursday night’s main feature all eyes were on the stars from the big-name kennels – Victa Damian (South Australia’s Tony Rasmussen) and Alpha Zulu and Umberto (Victoria’s Jason Thompson).

Umberto did jump well, as did the only local in the race, Greg Stella’s Magistrate.

That pair jostled for the lead through to the back straight with Dundee Rebel also joining in.

The threats from the other fancied runners did not materialize as Dundee Rebel finished stronger in 30.10 seconds, three-quarters of a length ahead of Umberto with Magistrate holding his ground a further two and a quarter lengths back in third.

“We knew that the two dogs that he (Scott-Smith) brought up (litter brothers), Dundee Rebel and Dundee Smokey, are both quality dogs,” Dillon said.

“Dundee Smokey is a little bit quicker, but this bloke is stronger.

“So, he (Dundee Rebel) was suited for the 500 metres. We thought they both had good chances and I am just proud for the owner.

“What do I think of the dog? Well after that run, that was a very good run.

“He was entitled to be five or six to one, certainly not the price that he started ($21).

“He showed just how strong he can be.

“I actually lost him in the run and didn't know where he was. But, when he came around the turn second I thought ‘we have got half a chance here. We are in this’.”

With other lucrative races, including the carnival crescendo, the $1 million Group 1 Brisbane Cup, just ahead, Dillon has no doubts the Dundee dogs will be with him a little longer.

“We will continue to put them around here and campaign through,” he said.

“I am almost certain they will stay here now (for the remainder of the carnival).

“It has been a bloody good night and it is about to get better.”

The powerful Britton clan, from Victoria, may not have featured in Thursday night’s main event, but certainly made their presence felt taking out four of the under-cards, including the 710 metre Dashing Corsair with Tim Britton’s Play Nice.

The superb Fernando Bale - Tears Siam dog showed a true stayer’s heart when he surged to the line to hold out John Dart’s Wendy Rocks by a length, with She’s In Clover (Garry Gilbert) third.

Play Nice travelled mid-field before beginning his run as he passed the finish post the first time.

However, race leader She’s In Clover held her position until half way up the final stretch before Play Nice pounced and was able to keep ahead of the fast-finishing Wendy Rocks.

“I would not call him the best stayer, but the one thing he can do is run the 700 metres out,” kennel maestro Rob Britton said. 

“He lobbed a little closer than he normally does and his stamina got him through.

“I was hoping that he would get up to third or fourth early, but when he lobbed second I thought, ‘we are a pretty good chance here’.”

Britton said his team was enjoying the Brisbane Winter Carnival.

“We would like to stay here for the rest of the carnival and just take the races one at a time,” he said.

“We will go home when we have had enough, but at the moment we are really enjoying it.”

Another stellar kennel, John and Minnie Finn, from Western Sydney’s Cranebrook, were also enjoying the mild Brisbane winter, with Zipping Orlando victorious in the 600 metre Carnival Chase.

The Zipping Garth - Zipping Dharma dog broke plenty of local hearts when he just grabbed the Tony Zammit-trained Adulate, whose ownership squad includes Brisbane club staff, in the shadows of the post. Tim Britton’s Wheel And Go was a further two lengths away in third.

Adulate had given his followers plenty to cheer about, pinging the lids and leading throughout before fighting hard to the line. However, Zipping Orlando was just too strong.

Minnie Finn was rapt, but not surprised with the finish from Zipping Orlando, who came into box four from first reserve with the scratching of Darryl McGrath’s Daysea’s Rowdy.

“I was happy when he drew that box and got the call up to have a run,” she said.

“The finish didn't surprise me. He had the run here last week and certainly benefited from that. I just hope he can keep going over the next couple of weeks when the big money is on.

“He went alright, considering all the travelling that he has been doing. He has been on the road for the last six weeks, but that hasn't worried him yet.

“The track here is a lot softer than Sydney, so you have to be pretty strong. I was very happy that he was in a 600 metre race and not a 700 metre.”