Brydon’s MDC ‘over-achiever’ now has Ipswich Cup in his sights

By Pat McLeod

South East Queensland trainer Chris Brydon’s Villante returns to Albion Park racing on Thursday night after ‘over-achieving’ in his Million Dollar Chase campaign.

Selena Zammit’s Jay Is Jay deservedly stole all the MDC headlines with his win in the Wentworth Park Final, however Brydon’s dog certainly made an impression.

“I have a higher opinion of this dog now than before he left,” Brydon said of Villante.

“I didn't think he was capable of running 29.8 seconds at Wentworth Park.”

Villante started his MDC campaign with two thirds in qualifying races at Grafton.

Ironically, the second of those thirds was ahead of a fourth-placed Jay Is Jay, which forced the Zammit kennel to take their dog to Wentworth Park for another qualifying race.

According the Mick Zammit, Selena’s husband and also a premier trainer, the extra run that Jay Is Jay was forced to have at Wentworth Park most likely played a key role in the dog’s victory in the series.

Villante and Jay Is Jay met again, in the MDC Semi-Finals, with the Zammits’ dog winning through to the Final and Brydon’s chaser placing second and going through to the Consolation Final, where he ran sixth.

“I think he over-achieved,” was Brydon’s summation.

“I was certainly happy with the way he went over that whole series. (Sydney trainer) Jason Magri looked after the dog while he was in Sydney and he did a fantastic job with him and I could not be happier.

“His performances were a nice surprise and now that he is back, I will have a go at the Ipswich Cup with him.

“He is no superstar, but he has certainly earned himself the opportunity to have a go.”

Ipswich Cup heats are on October 26 before the Final on November 2. 

An outside box draw has given Brydon little confidence of success for Villante in Thursday night’s assignment over 520 metres at ‘The Creek’.

“On Thursday night I don't rate his chances highly because he is coming out of the eight box,” he said.

“He will want to get to the fence and will be up against it, but we are in there hoping.

“It is all about luck with him to the first corner. He hasn't got a lot of early speed and isn't brilliant out of the boxes.

“If he gets a little bit of luck, then he is quite strong.

“He can run home strongly, but it all comes down to luck at the first corner.”

Brydon is more buoyant about his second entry on Thursday night, Super Shanks out of box six in a fifth grade race over 520 metres.

“He is the fastest dog that we have got,” he said of the Keybow and Bogie Princess chaser.

“He is a poor dog out of the boxes, but once he gets out, he can really run.

“I have no doubt that he can be a 29.80 second dog at Albion Park if he was to land in front. I really like his chances on Thursday night. Boxes don't really matter to him because he is normally last out anyway. So, for him it also comes down to luck through that first corner.

“The vacant box underneath on Thursday night will be good for him and give him a little bit of extra room. If he does get some luck through that first corner I think he will be very hard to beat.”

On Wednesday at Albion Park Brydon will debut his straight track specialist, We’re On One, on ‘the circle’.

The Dyna Double One and Magic Mctiger dog has had a successful career at Capalaba, winning through to that track’s Cup meeting, finishing fifth behind Valhalla.

“I was a little bit disappointed with his Capalaba Cup campaign,” Brydon said of We’re On One.

“He had gone 19.57 seconds as a youngster at Capalaba.

“I thought he would continue to improve and come down to the 19.40 seconds that the real quick straight track dogs do. But, although he didn't come down to that mark, we were stoked to make the Capalaba Cup Final.

“He has shown me that he is quite strong on the straight and normally his last 50 metres is his best. So, I have no issue with him getting 500 metres.

“He trialled well at Albion Park last week. We will give him a chance over the 500 metres at Albion and see how it goes.”

The Brisbane Greyhound Racing Club has rolled out the welcome mat for everyone to come and toast Jay Is Jay’s Million Dollar Chase victory, at the club from 5.30pm on Thursday night.

‘The Creek’ is home for Jay Is Jay.

The Queensland wonder dog has raced there 24 of his 34 starts (for 14 wins and six placings) and holds that track’s 520 metre record at 29.35 seconds.