NEW South Wales completed a clean sweep of the Queensland Winter Greyhound Carnival’s Origin Series Finals at Q2 Parklands on Thursday night, but it was Australian superstar Cumbria Jack who once again stole the spotlight with another breathtaking performance.
Fresh from claiming the Group 2 Cyndie’s Magic the week prior, Cumbria Jack returned to the 520m journey for the Group 3 Origin Greyhound Series Match Race Final and further cemented his status as one of the country’s premier greyhounds.
Starting as the unbackable $1.10 favourite, the champion chaser comfortably accounted for Blue Blend, powering away to score by almost eight lengths and pocket the $50,000 winner’s cheque.
Blue Blend matched motors with the favourite into the opening bend before Cumbria Jack unleashed his trademark acceleration, exploding clear to leave his rival in his wake.
Prepared by master trainer Tony Brett while campaigning in Queensland, the son of Fernando Bale and Cumbria Ninno looked every bit the national superstar.
Already the 520m track record holder with a blistering 28.99, Cumbria Jack stopped the clock in 29.38, a performance that looked more like a training gallop than a Group race.
The victory lifted his remarkable career record to 26 wins and eight placings from just 37 starts, while his prizemoney climbed beyond $500,000.
Attention now turns to the Brisbane Cup, with heats to be run this Saturday before the $1 million final on July 11.
Earlier in the evening, fellow New South Wales representative Winsome Jet ensured the Blues continued their dominance by capturing the Origin Series Sprint Final over the 520m trip.
After finishing runner-up in the Flying Amy Final, the $2.40 favourite bounced back in emphatic fashion, surging clear to score by almost seven lengths.
Trained by Michelle Sultana, the son of Tommy Shelby and Princess Kiwi edged closer to $370,000 in prize-
money with 16 wins and 12 placings from 35 starts.
Already the holder of the Parklands 457m track record (24.81), Winsome Jet again showcased the devastating speed that has established him among Australia’s elite sprinters.
The New South Wales clean sweep began in the Origin Series Distance Final over the 710m when Firethorn ($8) upset favourite Magpie Hector ($2.30).
Prepared by Mark Moroney, the daughter of The Wow and Sweet Fire proved too strong after the well-backed favourite missed the placings.
The victory improved Firethorn’s outstanding record over the 710m journey to seven wins from 12 starts at the distance, seeing her amass more than $220,955 in prizemoney with 20 wins and 11 placings from 43 career starts.
With Firethorn claiming the staying feature, Winsome Jet the sprint and Cumbria Jack the match race, New South Wales completed an emphatic 3-0 Origin Series sweep, while Australia’s biggest greyhound names now set their sights on the rich Brisbane Cup next week.
