Zammit changing of the guard in Group 1 heats

By Pat McLeod

There is a changing of the guard at Selena and Mick Zammit’s kennel as the 2024 Queensland Winter Greyhound Racing Carnival hits top gear this week.

The complete Thursday night 12-race program at Albion Park is devoted to star-studded heats of the $1 million Group 1 Brisbane Cup over 520 metres and $175,000-to-the-winner Group 1 Queensland Cup over 710 metres.

There will be four distance heats and eight sprint heats.

On the eve of the carnival climax, the Willow Vale-based Zammits announced that kennel king, Jay Is Jay, was being retired to stud.

In his wake remains his two litter brothers, and very capable lieutenants, All Natural ($327,180 in prize money) and Cluster ($140,540), who will both contest the Brisbane Cup heats.

However, it is two other Zammit entries on Thursday night that are causing plenty of interest and potentially are that kennel’s next superstars.

They are Hoshino, in the second sprint heat (race six), and Icy Eyes in the sixth sprint heat (race ten).

Hoshino, from an Aston Dee Bee and Rasheda litter, has shown plenty of promise in his just seven starts to date (four wins and two placings), but it was a sizzling recent trial at Albion Park that raised eyebrows.

“The trial is probably as quick as I have had post-to post,” Mick Zammit said.

“He (Hoshino) is as promising a dog as you would ever have. He is as quick as any dog as far as sheer ability goes. The big thing with him is that he hasn't got a lot of early speed, but we are hoping that in time he will run on.

“His mother (Rasheda) is the fastest female ever over 700 metres. We are hoping that he will run 700 metres, but only time will tell.

“Until you start going up through the distances, 600 metres etc, you can't really tell. But, we are certainly looking at a glass-half-full scenario given his ability."

As far as the Brisbane Cup heat's go, Mick says Hoshino will need a lot of luck with the way that he runs.

“We thought that he was a little bit unlucky, and of course inexperienced, in the Flying Amy Classic Final," Mick said. 

“His was a very good run in that. He was unlucky considering how strongly he was running.

“So, as far as the Brisbane Cup goes, although he will need a lot of luck, when a dog is going well, why not have a crack.

“No use sitting at home saying, ‘Gee, I wish I had put him in’. I would rather go in, get beaten, and go home with your tail between your legs, than not having a go at all.

“At least have a crack.”

The Zammits' ‘shot at the stumps’ philosophy is the same with Icy Eyes (from a Flying Fired Up and Agame litter).

She showed amazing promise as a distance chaser compiling 15 wins and six placings and $126,760 in prize money before being forced off the track with injury in December last year.

Thursday night’s heats are her racing return.

Mick Zammit said there were no lingering regrets over Jay Is Jay’s career, although the decision to call time on his race career was ‘bitter-sweet’.

“He's not at his best and so in some ways it was an easy decision,” Mick said.

“You get to that stage where you think, ‘OK this (continuing racing) is pointless. We always said that if he wasn't racing at his best then we would not continue.

“There are just a few things, niggling things, that have made that difference and we decided that it would just be too hard to be competitive at this level.”

However, 'Team Zammit' are now excited with what the fabulous fawn flyer will achieve as a stud dog.

“I believe he will be a very good stud dog, simply because he has everything,” Mick said.

“I am probably biased, but I really think it is true. He's such a sensational looking dog and he is super fast. The genetics are there. He is not a fluke of the litter.

“He ticks all the boxes. The fact that he is a metropolitan (Albion Park) track record holder is significant when looking at breeding. I am looking forward to what he can achieve at stud.”

Jay Is Jay’s track career is 43 starts for 22 wins and 10 placings for $2,320,565 in prize money.

At his 17th race start he lowered (his father) Sennachie’s Albion Park track record to the current 29.35 second mark.

His biggest win was the Million Dollar Chase at Wentworth Park in October, 2023.

He was also named the 2023 Queensland Greyhound Of The Year.

Other race accolades included: Group 2 Queensland Derby, Group 2 and Group 3 Golden Ticket, Group 3 Queensland Flame, the Origin Match Race and the QGOLD Sprint.