'The King' is back but facing fierce ‘friendly fire’ in The Flame

By Pat McLeod

Queensland’s sprint king, Jay Is Jay, may be back on his favourite track on Thursday night at Albion Park, but he faces a daunting barrage of ‘friendly fire’ to progress through to his second $1 million race.

The Selena and Mick Zammit-trained speedster last raced at Queensland greyhound headquarters on August 17.

Since then, his already considerable profile has burgeoned, with the high points being winning the Million Dollar Chase at Wentworth Park and placing second in the Group 1 Topgun at The Meadows.

The Albion Park 520 metre track record holder (29.35 seconds) campaigned in Grafton, Sydney and Melbourne across seven races for four wins and a second.

On Thursday night he returns to ‘The Creek’ to contest The Flame, the glowing opening to the 2023 Queensland Golden Greys Summer Racing Carnival. 

The winner of the Group 3 Flame not only pockets $60,000, but also progresses through as Racing Queensland’s representative in The Phoenix at The Meadows on December 16, which is worth $1 million for victory.

However, Mick Zammit says Thursday night’s homecoming, in a feature for Queensland-based greyhounds, is far from a run race.

“We are under no illusions. Jay Is Jay will have to be on his game to win this race,” Mick said.

“It is true that he is coming back to a track that he really likes, but we must remember that the last time he met Bear’s Bullet here (in the Queensland Final of the National Sprint), Bear’s Bullet won.

“In fact, Bear’s Bullet is probably going better now. Our dog is in pretty good form, but regardless of what sort of form he is in, it is a very strong field. You also have the likes of Magistrate and Get Carter.

“Both Bear’s Bullet and Magistrate, on their night, have got the ability to lead any field, which they have done.”

With 36 race starts for 18 wins and nine placings and a staggering $1,316,250 in prize money, Mick says Jay Is Jay is now at his peak.

“I think Jay Is Jay has developed into a better race dog (during his absence from Albion Park),” Mick said.

“He can handle himself very well in a race. He got himself into a good position the other night (in a heat of the Melbourne Cup at Sandown, finishing seventh), but unfortunately that turned out to be a bad spot.

“But, that is just one of those things that happens. When luck goes your way you count your blessings. We have all had the pitfalls. There is a reason for confidence (on Thursday night). From where he is (box two), he is a good race dog. We know that he has proven that.

“But, when you are racing good dogs, and if you don't get the luck on the night or the other dogs fare better on the night, then that is just what happens.”

Mick described the chance to contest another $1 million race as ‘incredible’.

“To win this race and to go through to The Phoenix would be fantastic,” Mick said.

“One of the dogs from Thursday night will be racing for a million dollars in a couple of weeks’ time. That is just unbelievable.”

Magistrate’s trainer, Greg Stella, said that while he is rapt to be contesting The Flame, the focus was justifiably on box one (Bear’s Bullet) and box two (Jay Is Jay).

“Boxes one and two are not only two top quality dogs, but they also have got the gun draws and the scores on the board,” Stella said.

“On paper they are the ones to beat. They will be tough to cross. Bear’s Bullet is a faultless beginner as a rule, so I don't think they will find each other in the run.

“If Jay Is Jay gets his chance to take off, there is no quicker dog than him, especially around Albion Park.”

While he hasn’t the big race wins that Jay Is Jay and Bear’s Bullet boast, Magistrate’s track record is impressive.

In a year of racing he has had 46 starts (23 wins and 17 placings) for $334,650 in prize money.

He has been prominent in major race campaigns and to date has two Group 3 titles to his name.

“Magistrate has exceeded our expectations,” Stella said.

“He is competitive at the top level against the best dogs, but there are faster dogs than him. But, if you keep making the Finals then his turn might come for a big race win.

“He's a good dog, but he's vulnerable in the last section. It comes down to how the track is running, and obviously he has to lead. Coming out of box six is no luxury.               

“Magistrate has good speed to the first corner. His first two sections are his biggest assets. He doesn't always leave quick, but he musters. When you are racing this quality of dogs there will be a lot of speed on and most of the other dogs have that early pace as well.

“Our dog right now is super fit and is going as well as he has ever gone. For him to run his best time he has to roll straight to the front and not lose any momentum in the run. If he is able to do that, then I think he is capable of running as good as he can run.”