SOUTH Australian superstar Victa Damian’s biggest worry for next Thursday night’s Group 2 Flying Amy Classic Final (520m) at Albion Park is his litter brother Victa Alby.
That’s according to the dog’s trainer, Lisa Rasmussen.
“In the very first trial we gave them, way back as pups, we put Damian and Alby together,” said Lisa.
“Alby, we quickly realised, is desperate for the rails and he wiped out Damian at the first turn.
“Damian was injured as a result and that’s why he started racing later than the rest of the litter.”
G2 @tabcomau Flying Amy Classic Heat 2 520m
1st: Victa Damian (1)
2nd: Carton Of Bear (2)
3rd: Titanium Gunn (3)#QLDisRacing@RaceQLD @tabcomau @SkyRacingAU @GerardDaffy @Bunny_Brasch @SEN_track @TheDogsSA pic.twitter.com/803tIn67kH— Brisbane Greyhounds (@BrisGreys) June 1, 2023
That’s the problem facing the Rasmussen kennel in next week’s $150,000 to the winner final because Victa Damian has drawn box two with Victa Alby drawn the three.
They are two of three from the Rasmussen kennel in the final, the other being littermate Victa Marli drawn out in the eight.
Lisa’s husband Tony drove four of the team from their South Australian base to Brisbane last weekend.
Lisa’s niece Rebecca Burns flew to Brisbane to help Tony with the team and she has stayed there at a relative’s five-acre property for the week leading up to the final.
“Tony will fly back to Brisbane on Tuesday to check them out and head to the final,” said Lisa.
She admitted the Flying Amy Classic was not even on the radar for the litter until advised some weeks ago.
“The money is too good not to go to Brisbane,” she said.
Victa Damian, the $1.50 favourite, copped interference around the first turn and was shuffled back to fifth turning into the back straight.
G2 @tabcomau Flying Amy Classic Heat 7 520m
1st: Victa Alby (2)
2nd: Blue Hornet ( 8 )
3rd: Stealth (6)#QLDisRacing@RaceQLD @tabcomau @SkyRacingAU @GerardDaffy @Bunny_Brasch @SEN_track @TheDogsSA @GRV_News pic.twitter.com/mecA8z8RzI— Brisbane Greyhounds (@BrisGreys) June 1, 2023
But he quickly rounded up group class rivals and ran away in the straight to win by two and a half lengths in 30.03.
It was yet another staggering performance by the Group 1 National Derby winner and multiple Group finalist.
Lisa is well aware Victa Damian is showing signs of wanting to get more distance.
“Yes, that decision will be made later in the year,” she said.
“But, we are well aware he has a huge future as a stud dog.”
Immediate plans are to see what comes of the Flying Amy Classic final.
“If everything goes to plan, they could stay in Brisbane for the Group 1 Brisbane Cup,” said Lisa.
“But, we also have the Maturity and the Nationals in the future for him.”
She described Victa Damian as “awesome”.
“Right from the start he showed incredible ability,” she said. “He’s an amazing dog and I had my heart in my mouth when he was back in the field on Thursday night.
“He runs up our straight at home with awesome power. And he’s broken Wow She’s Fast’s track record at Angle Park in a trial.
“And slipped at Murray Bridge the fastest we have ever had a dog go.”
His dam Victa Polly has a litter, her third, by Flying Ricciardo, about to be educated.
While husband Tony was flying about the country racing the kennel’s stars, Lisa was left at home with a racing kennel of 60 and pup yards full with 50 being reared.
“While everyone might find the drive from South Australia to Brisbane daunting, for Tony it is something he loves doing,” said Lisa.
“And the van is fitted out so that we can take partitions out and give the dogs travelling a huge space for them to be comfortable.
G2 Flying Amy Classic (520m): 1 Umberto, 2 Victa Damian, 3 Victa Alby, 4 Zipping Remus, 5 Alpha Zulu, 6 Dundee Rebel, 7 Magistrate, 8 Victa Marli. Res: 9 Crackerjack Aret, 10 Custard Monelli.
“It works, as you can see by Thursday night’s results.”
Victa Alby won his heat in 30.09 beating Blue Hornet and Stealth.
Victa Marli won its heat in 30.46 over Obliging Travis and Brightest Gunn.
Jason Thompson landed two winners with Alpha Zulu in 29.91 over Custard Monelli and Perfect Tyrant, and Umberto in 29.94 beating Crackerjack Aret and Bear’s Bullet.
Greg Stella’s current star, Magistrate, used his rails draw to win in 29.82 beating Dundee Rebel and Nangar Nellie, while John Finn’s Zipping Remus ran 30.17 to beat Penny’s Princess and Deemed A Liar.
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TIM BRITTON’s star stayer Wheel And Go led throughout to win his heat of the G3 Carnival Chase (600m) in 34.70 on debut at Albion Park the quickest of four heats.
Other heats went to Adulate in 34.92, Palawa King in 34.99 and Keen in 35.24.
G3 Carnival Chase (600m): 1 Keen, 2 Adulate, 3 On The Off, 4 Dayseas Rowdy, 5 Wheel And Go, 6 Hara’s River, 7 Zoha Bale, 8 Palawa King. Res: 9 Zipping Orlando, 10 Ailee Bale.