Leeson Daring To Dream With De Ferran

SYDNEYSIDER Darren Leeson is daring to dream after his “almost unbeaten” youngster De Ferran won in 29.85 in a 5th Grade heat (520m) at Albion Park on Thursday night.

De Ferran (Fabregas-Pennybacker) has now started 13 times for 11 wins, his defeats coming on debut at Grafton and in the final of the Ipswich Derby three runs back.

Trained by legend Tony Zammit, De Ferran will run in next week's 5th Grade final and then take on the Rising Stars series at Albion Park.

“But, we would like to dream that he could then go into The Flame, the Queensland series that qualifies the winner for The Phoenix,” said Leeson.

Last year's The Flame winner Spotted Elk led to the back turn when second to superstar Wow She's Fast in the inaugural running of The Phoenix.

This year the race carries a winner's purse of $1 million.

While The Phoenix is a dream for Leeson, he has been in greyhound racing long enough to know that a city class performer is something to cherish.

“Tony (Zammit) and I have been racing dogs for many years,” he said.

“Way back to when M'Lady's Fool won the 2002 Queensland Futurity.

“We've been in a number of Group races together since but not won any.

“But just having a dog like De Ferran is something. And I bred him as well.”

Leeson is never short of praise for his trainer.

“Tony Zammit is in the hall of fame,” he said. “But, he was born to do this.

“He just loves it and where would he be without a greyhound?

“He has an amazing knack of being able to put together winning streaks with his dogs.

“M'Lady's Fool won 14 in a row, Frieda Las Vegas won 11 in a row, and this dog has won nine in a row.”

Leeson went to Albion Park on Thursday night to see his dog race and catch up with long-time mate Mark Jackson another Zammit-kennel regular.

He wasn't disappointed.