Jackson excited by the Nationals challenge facing Mr. Springtime

By Pat McLeod

Sharyn Jackson understands the mountain Mr. Springtime must climb to be part of the 2023 Nationals at The Meadows, but is excited by the challenge.

“Yes, I understand that we are an outside chance (of getting to The Meadows). Just look at the speed in his heat,” she said. 

Jackson is based at Chambers Flat, south of Brisbane.

Mr. Springtime is entered for Thursday night’s Queensland Nationals Sprint heats over 520 metres. 

“In box one you have Bear’s Bullet and in box five Panama Pepper. Yes, this will be fast," she said. 

Despite her high opinion of the quality dogs around Mr. Springtime (box three), Jackson is enthusiastic about Thursday night’s assignment, one of two Queensland Nationals sprint heats.

“An exciting thing in greyhound racing is to be part of these big events. Yes, we are having a crack," she said. 

“Mr. Springtime is running very well at the moment. He always tries his hardest. The speed will certainly come from Bear’s Bullet and Panama Pepper.

“They are both very good dogs. But we have a good box. I am very happy with box three. So, it is exciting to be in these big events and anything can happen in greyhound racing.

“If our dog is to have any chance he must jump quickly. He is normally a good beginner.

“Hopefully he is in this race with a chance. In dog racing, you really can't predict what is going to happen. Again, it is just exciting to be part of these big events.”

The top four from each heat will go through to next week’s $24,000 Final. The State Distance Championship over 710 metres will also be held at that meeting with the winners of both Finals representing Queensland at the Nationals, at The Meadows, on Saturday night, August 26.

The Nationals straight track championships will also be conducted as part of the Nationals, at Healesville on the Saturday morning. 

The Queensland Nationals straight track representative will be decided via the state heats and Final, at Capalaba across the next two Sunday meetings there.

Jackson said that although Mr. Springtime was an outside hope of being part of the Nationals, the chance of contesting that event was a major attraction.

“There is no doubt that it would be amazing to represent your state at this event,” she said.

Across 39 starts for nine wins and 19 placings, Mr. Springtime has consistently met and performed well against the best.

At his most recent start, last Thursday night at Albion Park, the Fernando Bale - Spring Time Girl chaser ran a very tight second to dog-of-the-moment, Brimstone (trained by Selena Zammit).

“That was a very good run by our dog in that race,” Jackson said.

“Mr. Springtime is a big dog and doesn't rail as well as the smaller dogs, but he travels pretty well through a field. He can lose ground on corners, but he always tries. He always does his best.”

Thursday night’s two sprint heats are packed with quality.

Both Bear’s Bullet and Panama Pepper are proven big occasion racers.

And, the quality In the second heat (race eight) doesn’t thin. Creating most interest, out of box two, is track record holder Jay Is Jay.

Also, lurking with intent are Jedda Cutlack’s Tungsten Miss, box one and Sandra Hunt’s Tomahawk Hayze, box eight.