‘The King’ lights The Flame

By Pat McLeod

Sprint royalty Jay Is Jay has not only lit The Flame to the Queensland Golden Greys Summer Racing Carnival in spectacular fashion, but sent a clear message ahead of the $1.65 million The Phoenix: ‘The King is coming’.

In his home-coming to Albion Park on Thursday night after a 15-week absence, the Selena and Mick Zammit-trained wonder-dog dominated the state’s best sprinters, winning the Queensland Flame Final over 520 metres by four-and-a-half lengths in an impressive 29.52 seconds. 

That win gives the fawn flyer direct entry in The Phoenix, at The Meadows on December 16, as slot holder, Racing Queensland’s, nominee.

“That is sensational. It is amazing,” Mick Zammit said after Thursday night’s win.

“We ran second in The Flame last year when he was a pup and tonight he dominated. He has grown into a really good race dog, a great race dog with a great constitution.

“He is also super-fast. Not many dogs can run the time that he does around here (Albion Park) consistently. And, they were very good dogs in that race tonight.”

They were good dogs. 

Second was recent Group 1 Ipswich Gold Cup runner-up Get Carter (trained by Grant Franklin) and third was Greg Stella’s consistent Group campaigner Magistrate, who led Jay Is Jay out of the first corner.

Ipswich Gold Cup winner Bear’s Bullet (Travis Elson) was fourth.

Jay Is Jay last raced at 'The Creek' on August 17.

Since then the Zammits had taken the dog south for big-ticket races in Sydney and Melbourne.

The dog returned with a victory in the Million Dollar Chase and a second in the Group 1 Topgun.

An agenda item during those away campaigns was also to attract interest from The Phoenix slot holders.

However, no offers came forward.

So, Jay Is Jay ‘bought’ his own ticket.

‘Group 1’ Mick may have already tasted plenty of big race success, but even he was taken aback by Thursday night’s performance and the path ahead.

“It is unbelievable to be in a second million dollar race,” Mick said.

“It is so exciting, we are in The Phoenix and if he gets the breaks he's right in that race.

“I am not saying he is the fastest dog around, but I don't think there are many that are quicker than him. So, it all comes down to the luck in running and how he begins. He is just a fantastic animal with what he can do. We are blessed. I know I say that all the time, but we are.”

Mick said Jay Is Jay proved what a quality dog he is by performing at his peak despite a far-from-perfect preparation.

“He flew back from Melbourne on Sunday, which was the first time he has been on a plane,” Mick said.

“But, he pulled up so well we just started to work him as normal. He is a race dog.”

Earlier in the night Selena and Mick Zammit’s other major summer carnival threat, Icy Eyes, cruised back into formidable form with a commanding 710 metre victory in a personal best time of 41.70 seconds.

The talented stayer has been campaigning in Melbourne for the past four weeks, but returned on Thursday night in superb touch, scoring ahead of Spot On Polly (Greg Brennan), with She's Precocious (David Andrews) third.

“We did not expect her to go 41.70 seconds tonight because of the preparation - flying back on Sunday, jet lag, the excitement of coming home, all of that,” Selena said. 

“We would not have been surprised if she had run 42 seconds, so that time has surprised us.

“She certainly exceeded what we expected her to do. We are just as excited about what Icy Eyes will achieve at the summer carnival as we are with Jay Is Jay.”

Making the night even better was a smart win by their Another Chance in a 520 metre event in 29.85 seconds. 

Tony Apap’s summer took on an even more attractive glow when his Very Handy proved to be just that in a carnival innovation, The Spark Final over 520 metres.

The young flyer jumped well from box seven and led through to the winning post in 30.04 seconds over Seven Sinners (Col Graham), with Top Gun (Darren Russell), third.

“He is jumping a lot better and that is good to see because that had been his downfall earlier in his career,” a very pleased Apap said. 

“He's come out the best he's ever come out. This dog is very strong to the line and that is one of his biggest assets. He's really starting to put it together. He has come a long way.

“The time (30.04 seconds) doesn't worry me. I know that he can break 30 seconds. 

“I would like to see him draw the inside because he has never drawn the one or the two and I would like to see what he can do from the inside.”

Prolific winners, the Mary and Ray Burman kennel, also have their eyes on major carnival features, especially after Blue Hornet’s sensational win on Thursday night in a 600 metre race in a smart 34.77 seconds. 

“That was a nice win and of course an inside draw helps every time,” Mary said.

Blue Hornet recorded a two-and-a-half-length win over Springtime Rose (Sean Galloway) with Cash It In (Tim Britton) third.

“I guess now we are looking at the Group 1 600 metre race later in this carnival (The Golden Sands with the Final on January 4)," Mary said. 

“I think the 600 metres is his (Blue Hornet’s) best distance. So that's where we will be headed, via the QGOLD (heats) next week.”