Albion Park track record holder Jay Is Jay “super fit” for Origin Match Race
With a high degree of admiration for his New South Wales competitor, well-respected greyhound trainer Mick Zammit, looks forward to the thrilling State of Origin Match Race at Albion Park on Thursday night.
Zammit, alongside his wife Selena, is responsible for training the Albion Park track record holder, Jay Is Jay.
The dynamic greyhound, the progeny of Sennachie and Kealoah, faces off against the New South Wales star, Simply Limelight, in an eagerly anticipated Match Race.
Given Jay Is Jay's impressive track record and previous victory in the 2023 Group 3 Golden Ticket series many may believe the scales tip in his favour.
However, Zammit, a veteran with a wealth of track experience, has done his due diligence on his competitor, Simply Limelight.
He states, “My info is that he is exceptional one out,” indicating his understanding of why Simply Limelight was selected for the Thursday night showdown.
Check out the betting preview and betting strategy for Albion Park on June 15, 2023.
The Zammit's admiration for their competition, Simply Limelight, cannot be overstated.
“Look, there is an advantage in that this is his (Jay Is Jay's) home track, he is the record holder there and he flies there, but you still need to do everything right,” Mick said.
“I have a lot of respect for the other dog. He won an Easter Egg and they don't give those away”.
As Mick, also known as “Group 1” Mick, explains, “How can you not,” he continues, “He's won a Golden Easter Egg coming from behind and you only have to look at his career to know he is a fabulous dog; and, Peter Rodgers who trains him, has done a fabulous job with him”.
Simply Limelight's remarkable career includes places in the 2022 Group 1 National Sprint and 2022 Group 3 Bob Payne Sprint, and he was a finalist in the 2023 Group 2 Queensland Derby, 2022 Group 3 Magic Maiden, and 2022 Group 3 Xmas Gift. It's noteworthy that the Queensland Derby was won by none other than Jay Is Jay.
2023 Group 2 Queensland Derby (Albion Park, 520m) – Jay Is Jay (29.88) T: Selena Zammit
The Zammit's expressed immense satisfaction with Jay Is Jay's current condition and readiness for the Match Race.
“We obviously think our dog is a great chance. But, you never know what will happen in a race.
“What I do know is he is super fit and ready for Thursday.”
Mick shares, “He's won his past three and that run to sit outside Cookie's great dog Cash Master and still win in 29.73 at his latest run, was exceptional.”
He further highlights the home track advantage for Jay Is Jay but acknowledges the prowess of Simply Limelight, stating “We will want to be right on our game to win”.
The upcoming Match Race, with its significant $50,000 winner's purse, was the chosen event for the Zammits, instead of the State Of Origin Sprint, which promises a larger reward of $100,000.
Mick Zammit expresses his astonishment at the rise in stakes for greyhound racing in Queensland, reminiscing, “I remember the State Of Origin being worth about $7,000”.
Outside the State Of Origin Match Race, Mick does concede the three Origin greyhound series clashes will be very competitive.
“I think this will be a very close event,” Mick said.
“I think we have got chances in both the sprint and distance, but it could go either way.
“There will be some pressure on us (in the match race) if it is one-all, and there is every chance that could be the case.”
Racing Queensland (RQ) and Greyhound Racing New South Wales (GRNSW) named their 2023 State Of Origin squads back in late May, with both NSW and Queensland holding two victories each since the inaugural 2018 event.
Queensland claimed the inaugural series, and New South Wales responded with a victory in 2019.
The 2020 event was canceled due to COVID-19, further elevating anticipation for this year's series.
The final State Of Origin greyhound race teams were named only late last week, but almost immediately incurred setbacks with NSW greyhound trainer Andy Lord withdrawing two of his greyhounds from the race series.
In this year's Listed State Of Origin Match Race, online bookmakers have priced Queensland's Jay Is Jay as -200 favourite with Simply Limelight a +150 chance from box one in the head-to-head greyhound race.
2023 Listed State Of Origin Match Race
2023 Origin Match Race Box Draw & FieldAlbion Park520mListed$50,000 to-the-winner$10,000 for secondThursday June 15 2023
|
|
 |
1 Simply Limelight
T: Peter RodgersF: 1F13Career: 47: 19-8-8Prizemoney: $449,245
+150
|
 |
3 Jay Is Jay
-200
|
| Reserves | |
 |
9 Shipwreck
T: Ned SnowF: 5483Career: 51: 15-13-8Prizemoney: $302,090
|
 |
10 Wyndra All Class
T: Daniel GattF: 2228Career: 32: 14-8-2Prizemoney: $187,020
|
Odds correct at time of publication