Tzouvelis pushes for straight track feature to be part of Origin Greyhound Series

By Pat McLeod

Refreshed Queensland conditioner Tom Tzouvelis believes Capalaba’s Straight Of Origin feature should be elevated to a fully-fledged leg of the Origin Greyhound Series.

The Park Ridge trainer, who has just returned from a bucket-list, month-long European vacation, has two kennel stars, litter mates Valhalla and That’s Hot, in Sunday’s straight track interstate clash.

However, by then the Origin Greyhound Series will have been decided by Thursday night’s distance, sprint and match race events.

“I think the Straight Of Origin should definitely be part of the overall series,” Tzouvelis said.

“It could be raced on the Wednesday as the first leg of the series, then the Thursday night would be the culmination.

“Maybe a 600 metre race could be added on the Thursday night to make it a five-race series, so there is no chance of a draw.”

Tzouvelis’ suggestion certainly has merit.

While the Thursday night three-race formula has become a major greyhound racing success story since its inception in 2018, the straight track event has also gained plenty of popularity.

This Sunday’s race, which involves a showdown of two straight track superstars – Valhalla and NSW’s Shall Not (trained by Darren Sultana) – is a major draw card.

Both those dogs have dominated at their home tracks.

Shall Not has won 31 of his 34 starts at the Richmond straight track.

He has an overall record of 49 wins and 12 placings from 71 starts for $159,010 in prize money.

Valhalla has won 22 of his 27 starts at Capalaba. 

On the two occasions these dogs have clashed Shall Not has finished ahead on both occasions.

The NSW dog won last year’s Straight Of Origin (Valhalla was placed fourth) and then finished fourth in the 2023 National Straight Track Championship at Healesville, with Valhalla fifth.

Tzouvelis believes the tables could be turned on Sunday.

“Can Valhalla topple Shall Not? Well, that's a very good question and I hope so,” the in-form Maroons’ trainer said when quizzed about Sunday’s showdown.

“I don't want to be disrespectful towards Shall Not because he has been such a good dog for so long. The dog is four-and-a-half years old and is still racing unbelievably well. That is credit to Darren (Sultana) and the dog.

“I would like to think that Valhalla is as fast as any dog in a straight line. We have got no real excuses coming into Sunday.

“Valhalla is good. I would have liked a little bit more fitness (following recently injury niggles), but he is such a strong dog naturally we should be able to overcome that and not have an excuse. I just hope we get a clear run and we will see what happens.”

However, Tzouvelis says the $40,000-to-the-winner Straight Of Origin is far from a two-dog race.

“If Fernando Grand (Gary Mackay) is right, then he will be very hard to beat,” he said.

“He has had some injury concerns over the years and it was a tragedy having him scratched out of last year’s Capalaba Cup (a race won by Valhalla).

“To his credit Gary will never risk his dogs. They always come first. But, make no mistake, Fernando Grand is a fast dog (Capalaba personal best time of 19.22 seconds)

“That's Hot (owned and trained by Tzouvelis’ kennel lieutenant Jedda Cutlack), is Valhalla's brother and a remarkable dog. He has come back from significant hip support and stomach muscles injuries."

The team just gave That's Hot time to recover, Tzouvelis says.

"The dog is actually really inexperienced and for him to get into this race is remarkable with what he has been through," Tzouvelis said. 

“However, when he was young he was never far off Valhalla when they trialled. Hotel Whisky One (Mat Vincent), I don't know a lot about, but I can see that he has run I really good time (19.45 seconds) at Capalaba."

Tzouvelis said the NSW contingent is very strong.

“Dave Smith (Express Ethics and Jazzy Ethics) is a very good trainer with a lot of Group success," Tzouvelis said. 

“I don't think he would be making the long drive up here (from South West Sydney) if he thought he was just running around for practise.

“Shall Not’s straight track record is second to none. What he has done at Richmond is just phenomenal. And, I see that Macona Express (Jamie Hawkins) finished ahead of Shall Not at their last run at Richmond. So, this will be a very good race.”

Tzouvelis also indicated Valhalla would make a belated assault on the remainder of the 2024 Queensland Winter Greyhound Racing Carnival at Albion Park if he pulled up well after Sunday’s assignment.

Originally, he had Valhalla inked in for a full-throttle carnival campaign, including the upcoming Group 1 Brisbane Cup, until the injury niggles intervened 

“If he pulls up alright, everything is back on the table,” Tzouvelis said.

“I would love to have him there and available for a shot at a race like the Brisbane Cup, but it will just depend on his fitness level. If we don't have him fit enough there is just no point.”