Brisbane Swab Shock Ends Victa Damian's MDC Bid

A swab irregularity during the lucrative Brisbane Winter Carnival has scuppered any hopes of Group 1 winning sprinter Victa Damian making a return to racing in time for the Million Dollar Chase.

Connections of the National Derby winner were advised late last week that a hair sample taken following a fifth placed finish in the Brisbane Cup Consolation at Albion Park on July 7 had returned an irregularity to a banned substance.

It's understood the Queensland Racing Integrity Commission (QRIC) has stood Victa Damian down from racing until such time as the results of the B sample are returned.

At the time the sample was provided, the son of Fernando Bale was trained by Tony and Lisa Rasmussen.

The Rasmussens were suspended by Greyhound Racing SA (GRSA) Stewards in late July for alleged animal welfare offences.

The news of the swab irregularity has left Victa Damian's new trainer Kel Greenough with no choice but to abort plans to head to Sydney for the world's richest greyhound race which culminates at Wentworth Park on October 13.

Victa Damian was a $9 all-in equal favourite with Postman Pat for the Million Dollar Chase.

"We received news late last week that a hair sample in Brisbane during the carnival had returned an irregularity," Greenough said.

"The South Aussie's taken the lead, he's raced away!"

Victa Damian triumphs in the Group 1 National Derby Final. @wentyparkgreys @Thedogs_com_au pic.twitter.com/a0GmDRoPkM

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) January 21, 2023

"It means before we can race him we need to get a negative hair sample to be sure there's no issues for anyone moving forward.  

"A test was taken on Saturday night at The Meadows so now we are playing the waiting game for it to return which could take anything from four to six weeks.

"It's a horrible situation and the people I feel sorry for most are the owners. In the bit I've had to do with them, they're wonderful people who love their dogs and they've been devastated by this whole situation."

While there is hope that the recent test and return of the B sample can be expedited to some extent given the situation, Greenough has declared any hopes of heading to Sydney for the Million Dollar Chase are all but off the table.

"The timing makes it impossible," he said.

"And it's a real shame because the dog is airborne. I gave him a post to post at The Meadows on Monday and he went 24.50. 

"I'd say there were 30 or so post to posts and the next best was 25.02.

"He's run that on what I'd say wasn't an overly fast track as well. The dog is going enormous."

Greenough has now turned his attention to the Group 1 Melbourne Cup, providing the sample taken at the weekend returns a negative result.

"It's hard to speculate on what has and hasn't happened but we are just praying now we get the green light to move forward when this swab returns," Greenough said.

Meanwhile, Greenough has begun ramping up the work into champion bitch Wow She's Fast, with an eye to a potential third The Phoenix triumph in December.

Fresh off being announced both Australian and Victorian Greyhound of the Year in recent weeks, Wow She's Fast has ran the best of the day in two recent trials, having not been seen at the races since failing to finish when terribly unlucky in the Group 1 Sapphire Crown in May.

"She's not getting any younger but so far so good," Greenough said.

"If things go to plan it'll be Melbourne Cup, Topgun and The Phoenix but if there's a hiccup at any stage we'll pull the pin. It's very much week to week.”