Brett Lee Pup Sets Eric Thomson Maiden Pace

VETERAN dog man Robert Jacobsen is hoping Preston Lee can continue to surprise him with even further improvement when he takes on the final of the Eric Thomson Memorial Maiden (520m) at Albion Park next week.

Preston Lee (Brett Lee-Fancy Ruby) was impressive in exploding from the rails draw to lead throughout in 30.08 in his heat on Wednesday, scoring by six and three-quarter lengths.

He started $2.70 favourite but the victory was a surprise – even for Jacobsen.

“He broke in with huge reports, but when I started trialling him here, his times around Albion Park have been only fair,” said Robert.

“But, the one thing in his favour is that he has kept on improving.”

The “handy at best” trial times and the fact Preston Lee had never been against even one other dog meant Robert was even reluctant to nominate for the series.

“He trialled 19.50, then 19.30 over 331 metres, 23.00 for 395, slipped post to post 24.70, then trialled solo over 520m in 30.80 and 30.56,” he said.

“I didn't think he was going good enough, but the fact he kept improving his times convinced me to at least put him in the series for experience.”

Preston Lee came up with the rails draw and bolted in.

Other heat winners were Cool Hand Luke for Jeff Crawford in 30.11 and Wayne Scott's Libby's Girl in 30.89, the time indicative of the rough house nature of the race.

Jacobsen had already raced a bitch from the dam Fancy Ruby from her Barcia Bale litter and she showed plenty of ability. He brought her north but she broke a hock.

“That's when I approached the mother's owner Greg Sprod to get a litter out of her,” said Robert.

“I already had the straw for Brett Lee and had noticed Dennis Barnes had used a litter sister to Fancy Ruby with Brett Lee and got a very, very good litter.

“But, when Liz Brown came to do the insemination, she was doubtful we would even get pups. Fortunately, Fancy Ruby produced three pups and Preston Lee is one. He broke in with fabulous reports.”

Robert was reluctant to back his dog despite him drawing the rails.

“I have to admit, I even had a little saver on one of the others in the race who I had seen trial very, very well one of the days I trialled Preston Lee at Albion Park,” he said.

Preston Lee has drawn the eight in the final and Robert admits he is uncertain just how he will handle that draw.

“He's mad for the rails, never been out of a wide draw, and still has not had field experience even though he won Wednesday's heat,” he said.

“He simply went straight to the front in the heat so that was not much in the way of field experience.”

Robert Jacobsen is 56 and has been in greyhound racing since he was 13. He won the Rockhampton Cup many years ago with Royal Minstrel but had a break of 30 years and has only recently picked up a collar and lead again.

Eric Thomson Maiden Final (box draw)

1 Red Fire Ball
2 Call Me Marshall
3 Libby's Girl
4 Cool Hand Luke
5 Trivet
6 Beg Pardon
7 Opinions
8 Preston Lee
Reserves
9 Money Spinner
10 My Bro Beach