Russell sets sail on another Group 1 voyage

By Pat McLeod

Darren Russell is very familiar with the aroma that surrounds top-level racing and can’t get enough of it.

“It is always special to be in this arena,” he says as the Group 1 fragrance hangs heavy over Albion Park ahead of Thursday night’s Gold Bullion (520m) and Gold Cup (710m) heats.

“I have been fortunate enough to have been in a fair few big races over the years – Melbourne Cups, Australian Cups.

“I don’t feel pressure at the moment. I enjoy it. It is a great atmosphere.

“Everyone wants fast dogs.

“I have had a few over the years, and I hope I get a few more.”

Russell does have a fast dog, youngster Wreck James, who clocked a 29.60 at Albion Park in last week’s head-to-head format of the Golden Ticket finale.

The Barcia Bale x Chase Me Honey chaser, with just 12 starts to his name, may have fallen short of the 29.50 set by ticket-winning Good Odds Cobber, but his own quick time and victory over quality WA sprinter La Sagrada, confirmed the high opinion Russell has of the dog.

“Last Thursday night, that was a very good performance by the dog,” he said of Wreck James’ run in the two-dog showdown.

“I was pretty confident because he had the right draw (Box Three).

“I thought the red (La Sagrada) would want to go down the fence, which she did, and gave my dog that chance and he took advantage of it.

“His time (29.60) did not come as a surprise. He has trialled 29.70 a couple of times there.

“I was hoping he could go a 10th quicker (laughs).

“The others that went around faster on the night, they are Group 1 performers everywhere in Australia. They are very fast animals.

“His (Wreck James) determination will be his big asset on Thursday night. He does chase hard.

“He is one of the best chases that I have ever had.”

Wreck James will jump from Box One in the first of four Group 1 Gold Bullion heats (520m) on Thursday night at ‘The Creek’. There are also three heats of the Group 1 Gold Cup (710m).

Successful heat qualifiers will move through to the climax of the Golden Greys Summer Carnival on Thursday, January 30, with the winner of the Gold Bullion to pocket $250,000 and the Gold Cup victor reaping $100,000.

Russell knows what it is like to experience the ‘rare air’ of winning a Group 1 crown at his home track.

In 2019 he claimed the Gold Cup distance event, then raced as part of the Brisbane Winter Carnival, with Bago Bye Bye.

In fact he had two runners in that final, with his second starter, Bago Bluff finishing fourth.

That final field was a standout, with legendary stayer Tornado Tears finishing fifth and other distance champions, Dyna Chancer (second) and Poco Dorado (third).

On Thursday night Russell starts to ascend that Group 1 mountain again, this time the sprint route.

He says Wreck James is in ‘excellent condition’.

“He has pulled up terrific from last week’s run. I couldn't be happier with him,” Russell said.

“That was a big relief because I was pretty worried about him early last week.

“He pulled up awful after running in the really wet conditions in the Golden Ticket heats.

“I had to look after him 24-7 for four days just to get him walking properly.

“There was a genuine concern that I might have had to scratch him from the match race final.

“But come Wednesday he was a lot better and by Thursday morning he was jumping out of his skin.

“He is great now.”

Wreck James faces another steep learning curve on Thursday night with heat opponents including Group powerhouse Morton (Jason Sharp, Box Three) and Silver Chief runner-up Deadly Avenger (Box Two), who is in the Tom Tzouvelis kennels.

Although he would have preferred a wider draw, Russell is hoping the two class Victorian dogs on his outside will provide a clear passage to a prominent rails position.

“From the replays I have watched, both the two (Deadly Avenger) and Morton hopefully will go straight and my bloke will push up with them,” he said.

“He (Wreck James) is a strong finisher.

“When you are getting down around 12.50 run home, you know that you have got something good.

“As long as he doesn't get knocked around, I believe he can finish stronger than most.”