Jump The Queue Chasing National Glory For Charity In WA
Jump The Queue faces the biggest race of her career in the WA National Sprint Championship Final on Saturday night at Cannington. Win, loose or draw she will be doing it for a good cause, a charity of the Puppy Club's choice.
Trainer Peter Hepple has had a long lasting affiliation with the Greyhounds WA Puppy Club programme, which is aimed at involving youth in the greyhound industry. The added bonus with the Puppy Club is that the money won by their greyhounds is donated to a charity of their choice.
Last week Jump The Queue made it into the WA National Sprint Championship Final over the 530 metre distance by running fourth in the first of two qualifying heats. She exited out of box seven and as anticipated went straight to the early lead. The little brindle chaser was unable to hold onto the lead with Star Recall, Luba Monelli and Zelemar Fever showcasing enough strength to run over the top of her.
“She is only a tiny little thing and is real quick early, she is probably the quickest dog consistently out of the boxes. Every time we pray and hope that she hangs on for either first second third or fourth.” Trainer Peter Hepple explained.
Little she is, at just 25kg Jump The Queue is lucky that she has explosive speed out of the boxes that prevents her from finding trouble throughout the race.
“You would rather be in front then behind, you're basically on your own doing a solo trial. I always pray for interference with the dogs sitting behind her, but I don't like good dogs getting hurt, especially in this state where we only have a few.”
“My little bitch does everything right for the first three sections but it's just the last she gets tired. She hasn't got the ability to keep going to run the 30.20, 30.30 times.”
Jump The Queue and her litter have won over $100,000 in name of the Puppy Club which has been distributed to charities including the Make-A-Wish foundation and the Centre for Cerebral Palsy.
The rest of the litter include Charity Earner, who is looking to increase her prizemoney to over $20,000 with a win on Saturday night at Cannington in the Best 8 WA bred Canning Final. Lindback is looking to do the same on Wednesday night at Cannington and Nice Lil' Earner, who is due to make a comeback in a month after suffering a tendon injury in February.
At 8.30pm on Saturday night the Puppy Club's support and attention will be on Jump The Queue, who will be wearing the pink rug in the WA National Sprint Final. Her opposition is extremely talented and it's more than a tough ask for Hepple's little star to make it through to represent WA in the National Sprint Final next week.
“I still think she can lead to the first peg, if there is carnage on the first bend then we can win it but she isn't as quick overall as the other dogs.”
Hepple believes that On Coin is the dog to beat in the final despite having to exit from box five.
“He (On Coin) is the only WA bred dog to break the 30 second barrier. I hope he wins for John Crossley, but I won't tell him that!” Hepple laughed.
“I think who ever gets in will be a great chance of winning the final. To be in this race you have to be a classy type dog, and you have to do everything right.”
The field for the WA National Sprint Final is bursting with talent, with the box draw looking to play a large role in how the race is going to pan out. The prices are Centrebet's latest fixed odds.
Zelemar Fever has received box one for trainer Linda Britton and is paying $3.30 for the win. Her form of late hasn't been up to the standard she was producing at the start of the year, but she is back in her favourite box so anything could happen. She is capable of breaking the 30 second barrier, making her the second fastest dog in the race.
Luba Monelli is jumping from box two and is currently paying $16.00 for trainer David Hobby. Last week saw her return after four months on the sidelines in fine form, finishing second behind Star Recall. The run last week will do her good so she is in with a good chance, especially jumping from the inside box.
Star Recall for trainer Linda Britton is jumping from box three paying around the $2.70 mark. Last week she won more than convincingly in 30.35 from box eight. It will be a great test seeing her come up against On Coin and she will need to jump a little better then last week to lead the field early, especially with Jump The Queue in the race. A front position for Star Recall on the home turn will be essential for her, with On Coin more than likely storming home.
Gomes is jumping out of box four for Linda Britton and is paying $23.00 for the win. He's been in surprisingly good form lately against some top chasers. The class of dog is very high in this field but you can't rule the veteran out, because when you do he usually pulls out an exceptional performance.
On Coin for trainer John Crossley has the squeeze box and will more then likely start around $2.30 favourite. His form of late is almost faultless, his box manners have improved and he is strong to the finishing line. On Coin is the fastest WA bred dog going around at the moment and will be a serious contender if he makes it through to next weeks National Sprint.
Freeway Force for Keith Harding will jump from box six and looks to be the long shot of the field and is currently paying $34.00 to take out the race. It's going to take a lot to go wrong with the amount of talent in the race for Freeway Force to come away with the win.
You Can Dream is jumping from box seven for trainer Dennis Calleja and is paying $23.00. She is another long shot in this classy field and will need to get to the lead early to have any hope of taking the race out.
Jump The Queue is set to pay $9.00 for the win. She will be the likely leader of the field even from box eight. She will need trouble behind if she is to hold on to the lead for the victory.
Reserves
Deyna is the first reserve for trainer Linda Britton. He isn't in the league of these chasers and if he gets a start I can't see him taking out the race.
Black Dymas is the second reserve for Jason Stuart. He has been racing in top company of late and hasn't been able to come away with a win. If he is to get a start in the final it unlikely the outcome will change.