Double Gee On Track For National Distance Berth

SELENA and Michael Zammit worried all day in the lead-up to the Queensland National Distance Prelude in which their rising staying star Double Gee was engaged at Albion Park.

Double Gee was drawn out in box eight last Thursday night and was meeting high class rivals Jalapeno and Champagne Sally.

It was the box draw that had the Zammits worried.

“He's come out of the eight box five times and never run a place,” said Michael.

“In hindsight, it was the perfect box for him because he got such a great run early.”

Double Gee (Dyna Double One-Hot Spur) stormed right away to win the Prelude in 41.34 scoring by six lengths over Jalapeno with seven lengths to Champagne Sally in third. The multiple record breaking Sally had been severely checked early in the race.

The time of 41.34 is the third fastest ever over 710m at Albion Park, the country's latest staying phenomenon Tornado Tears breaking the record and then lowering it to 41.20 in the final of the Group 1 Albion Park Gold Cup back in June.

“Only one dog has gone faster than him at Albion park,” said Mick.
And what is not lost on the Zammits and owner Glen Dearlove is the fact Double Gee has only just turned two years old.

“Yes, by all standards he should get better and better with more distance racing, but how much better can he get,” questioned Mick.

A 41.40 run was not out of the question when Double Gee made his distance debut at Albion park late in June.

“He came out ordinary and still won in 41.63,” said Mick. “So with a better beginning he was always on target for a 41.40 sort of run.”

Double Gee now goes into the state final this week the raging hot favourite to represent Queensland in the Group 1 National final at Sandown on August 24.

“All we are thinking about is the state final,” said Mick. “We have learned over many, many years not to take anything for granted in greyhound racing.

“He's a lovely dog, very happy to do anything with.”

Double Gee had trialled over 600m at Albion Park in a scorching 34.62 prior to last Thursday night's blistering performance.

The win took his record to 16 starts for seven wins and two placings and almost $60,000 in stakes.

He is unbeaten in four starts over Albion Park's 710m.