Cutlack's Star Duo To Burst Onto Origin Scene

TALENTED duo Sorority and Sunburst may have been born and raised in NSW but at Albion Park on Thursday night they'll be representing Queensland – with pride.

Prepared by budding young star of the training ranks Jedda Cutlack and her mentor Tom Tzouvelis, Sorority and Sunburst will be joined by defending Origin champ Days Of Thunder and Blue Hornet in forming a Queensland team eyeing victory in the TAB Origin Distance (710m).

FIELDS AND FORM ALBION PARK THURSDAY NIGHT

The TAB Origin Distance, worth a cool $100,000-to-the-winner, is the first of three events at Albion Park which will decide whether Queensland or New South Wales take home the Origin shield in 2023.

And while under no illusions as to the enormity of the task at hand, with NSW represented by an all-star cast of in form stayers in the Origin Distance, Tzouvelis is confident his dynamic pairing can do themselves, and Queensland, proud.

"If the race is run to suit I can see ways that both of the two girls can give a big sight," Tzouvelis said.

IT'S THAT TIME OF THE YEAR AGAIN ?

Mate vs Mate – State vs State.

Will we see the mighty Maroons go back-to-back? Or can the Blues turn the tables?

Hear from Origin greats & coaches @BenHannantNRL and Terry Hill ahead of a massive night at @BrisGreys this Thursday ? pic.twitter.com/WlOfJ9aRGn

— RaceQ (@RaceQLD) June 13, 2023

"Sunburst is $26 but I'd almost say she's a lock to lead the race. Then with her it's just a matter of how she goes through the flat spot she has mid race.

"With Sorority I can see her positioning maybe third or fourth and if the breaks go her way at the right time she'll be finishing off strong.

"She loves the fence and won't leave it so box two for her is ideal."

Sunburst, winner at 27 of her 87 starts, and Sorority, victorious at 11 of her 40 appearances, are owned by NSW-based Peter and Sonia Davis.

Between the prolific winning pairing they have amassed stake earnings of nearly $300,000 with the potential for that figure to balloon even further on Thursday night.

"It sounds strange about a dog that's won nearly $200,000 but Sunburst hasn't had a lot of luck going into big races during her career," Tzouvelis said.

"Every time a big race has rolled around which looked to suit her something has gone wrong with injury and the like. But she's been a fantastic part of the kennel.

"You'd love ten just like her."

Such is the almighty staying contingent NSW are unleashing on the Origin Distance, Zipping Orlando, Nangar Rocket and Palawa King, the first three across the line in ‘The 715' will spearhead the sky blue charge.

Box draws have been released for Thursday night's Origin Greyhound Series at @brisgreys! Queensland ($1.85) are now favourites ahead of NSW ($1.95) ? pic.twitter.com/bA7Li0MLWv

— TAB (@tabcomau) June 12, 2023

And while difficult to concede, Tzouvelis says the greyhound to beat is from that NSW trio.

"Palawa King is the one that's likely going to get the race to suit the way it looks on paper," Tzouvelis said.

"For a staying race there's a lot of speed so I can just see him smoking his pipe out the back and the race opening up for him at the right time."

The Origin Distance will be followed by the Origin Sprint and Origin Match Race in the best of three series.

Bookmaker TAB has Queensland at $1.85 to retain the shield with NSW at $1.95.