Hard To Keep A Lid On Brown's Phoenix Buzz

CHAMPION three-time premiership hero Jonathan Brown is chasing greyhound racing's biggest prize on Saturday night – the $1 million-to-the-winner The Phoenix at The Meadows.

Hailing from a family steeped in greyhound racing tradition, Brown is a part-owner of budding superstar Alpha Zulu.

"It's pretty exciting," Brown said. "I can't wait until Saturday night. It's going to be a great buzz.

"It's been one hell of a ride so far."

Brown's storied career in footy spanned 14 years as a one club legend of the Brisbane Lions where he kicked almost 600 goals, winning consecutive premierships from 2001 to 2003 while he was also a two-time All Australian in 2007 and 2009.

Having achieved all there is to achieve on the footy field, Brown describes the excitement of being involved in a top class chaser as one of sport's greatest experiences.

"There's nothing like being involved in racing if you've got a great dog," he said.

"Leigh Matthews always said there's no feeling in sport like that 30 seconds when you have a Group 1 winner or you're about to have a Group 1 winner.

"The Phoenix isn't a Group 1 but it's the richest greyhound race in the world and the same principal applies. 

"You can't beat the thrill."

Alpha Zulu is the second youngest of the eight chasing The Phoenix glory at just 27 months of age.

The Bendigo and Cranbourne Cup winner has won 15 of his 23 starts but his recent performances have been below expectations.

"He's got to start jumping again," Brown said.

"The way he begins holds the key to our chances, you can't be missing the kick in this company."

Alpha Zulu has drawn box three in Saturday night's invitation race and he will represent the slot owned by the Good Blokes Society.

"Both times during his career he's come out firing when on the fresh side and he's had a little freshen up," Brown said.

"Hopefully the little break can trigger him to fire out."

This year will be the third running of The Phoenix, greyhound racing's first slot race and Brown says the race takes the sport to a whole new audience and is here to stay.

"The whole concept is great," he said.

"Tradition in the racing game is built over 100 years or more but you just have to look how quickly people have connected to The Everest.

"Wow She's Fast has been amazing for The Phoenix and what she's achieved has helped the race connect with people."

Fox Sports supremo Steve Crawley also shares in the ownership of Alpha Zulu.