Rasmussen makes triumphant return with three-pronged attack on Flying Amy

By Pat McLeod

South Australian master trainer Tony Rasmussen made a triumphant return to Albion Park on Thursday night storming through to next week’s Final of the Group 2 Flying Amy Classic over 520 metres with a three-pronged attack.

He was making his first appearance back at the ‘The Creek’ since what he describes as a ‘terrible’ campaign in June, 2018, with Honcho Monelli and Nations.

Rasmussen qualified three of four heat runners, with his brilliant youngster Victa Damian capturing the Brisbane Winter Carnival spotlight.

The already well-credentialled chaser, with a prize money tally of almost $230,000, survived a bumper-car ride throughout his heat to not only emerge in front, but went on to dominate.

“That was an incredible run,” Rasmussen said immediately after that heat.

“He should never have won that race after he got checked on that first corner. He was that far back. I still cannot believe he won the race.

“But, he has used his brains and sheer talent has won that race for him.

“He is a champion. A real good dog.

“I rate that run as one of his best because he came from the back of the field and showed real guts.”

Rasmussen also qualified Damian’s litter mates Victa Marli and Victa Alby.

“I am ecstatic with that result tonight, three in the Final,” he said.

“It is a big effort to come all the way up here and do this. A few people laughed at me when I said that I was coming up here for the carnival.

“But, at the end of the day, if you don't try you don't know, do you.

“I trialed on Monday and it has paid off.

“Coming up here is not all about the money for us. It is more about the prestige of winning these races now that we have the dogs that we think can do it.

“I have always said that if I have a dog that can be competitive in these big races, then I will go. I will travel anywhere.”

The seven Flying Amy Classic heats showcased arguably the best line-up of young talent ever seen at "The Creek".

Included in that are Victorian maestro Jason Thompson’s two starters in the Final - Alpha Zulu and Umberto.

Thompson again has entrusted his valuable chasers to the care of premier Queensland trainer Tony Brett during the Brisbane Winter Carnival. Brett has a high opinion of both.

“His acceleration is incredible," Brett said about Alpha Zulu. 

"From behind it looked like he jumped all right, but he did hit the dogs beside him and I thought he would be in trouble. But, he is a big, strong dog and he knew what he wanted to do.”

He was also rapt with Umberto’s heat win.

“He knew where he wanted to go. He has good speed and did well to hang on. I am rapt with that run,” Brett said.

“He has good habits for a young dog. Behind the boxes he was the one that I wanted to be on. He was feeling enormous.”

The only ‘local’ to win through the heats stage of the Flying Amy was Greg Stella’s Magistrate.

“Box draws are a big advantage and he certainly took advantage,” Stella said.

“He wasn't the best dog in the race, but he has run a personal best.

Greg Stella’s Magistrate ran 29.82 seconds, which was the fastest heat time.

“I was first reserve in the Flying Amy Final last year with Black Comanche and that was the best I had done in this race. So, this year we have gone one better and we are actually in the Final," he said. 

Sydney trainer Minnie Finn was rapt with her kennel’s Zipping Remus’s heat win run, which cemented a Finals berth.

“I was very happy with that considering it was his first trip away and first time on the track,” Finn said.

“He's only a young dog and learning all the time.”

Local trainers fared a little better in the Thursday night’s four heats of the $60,000-to-the-winner Garrard’s Carnival Chase over 600 metres with wins to Adulate (trained by Tony Zammit) and Keen (Brent Kline).

Wheel And Go (Tim Britton) clocked the fastest heat time (34.70 seconds). The Final heat was won by the Forbes-based Palawa King (Raymond Smith).