Change of scenery giving Cool Bananas a winning edge

By Wayne Heming

Trainer John Jeffrey will be hoping the saying ‘a change is as good as a holiday’ proves correct for his latest kennel addition Cool Bananas in Sunday’s feature dash up the Capalaba straight.

Jeffrey, from Postman’s Ridge at the foothills of the Toowoomba range, has qualified two dogs for Final of the of the Jeffery Jones Celebration Of Life, over 366 metres, with the ultra-consistent Cash Handy to join Cool Bananas. 

He gives both dogs a chance in the event.

But, he believes Cool Bananas, a three-year-old black dog, from a Shima Shine and Jo Jo litter, who he recently secured from Townsville owner and trainer Mark Partland, will push the more fancied runners in the race.

They include Kyoto (trained by Casey Dargusch and starting from box two) and Modela (box six), who is one of two Chris Brydon runners.

“Cool Bananas is flying at the moment,” Jeffrey said just hours before the dog scored over 600 metres at Albion Park on Thursday night as a $2 favourite.

Jeffrey said Partland, who is a good friend, contacted him a few months ago about training the dog, who he felt needed a change of venue.

“He was top grade up there (Townsville), but there wasn’t enough 498 or 600 metre races up there,” Jeffrey said. 

“Down here you’ve got Albion Park, Capalaba, Ipswich, while up In Townsville that’s the only track you’ve got.”

Backing Cool Bananas up so quickly isn’t an issue for Jeffrey, who said he’d check the greyhound’s health on Friday to see how he came through his Albion Park run.

Jeffrey said his other runner Cash Handy was not without a chance on Sunday.

“He’s a tough dog with a strong finish,” Jeffrey said. 

“He won three in a row about six weeks ago and I’ve freshened him up for this race. He went a little off for a while so I gave him a little time out and I picked out this race for him.

"I love where he is drawn (box three) and I wouldn’t pick another box for him”

Sunday marks the sixth running of the Jeffery Jones Celebration Of Life Trophy, a race named In honour of Jeffery Jones, the well-respected former trainer and great greyhound racing man who passed away in 2018.

Jones was a founding member and past president of the QGBOTA and was heavily involved with the Capalaba club for many years.

He was the inspiration behind the naming of Jay Is Jay -  the Queensland sprint superstar trained by his daughter Selena Zammit and owned by his wife Lillian.

Jones owned and trained Jay Is Jay’s mother Kealoah.