Golden Ticket Proves A Race Of High Drama

MICK and Selena Zammit and Selena's mum Lillian Jones had to sweat through four two-dog match races and then a ballot before their new kennel star Jay Is Jay won his way straight through to the final of the Group 1 Gold Bullion at Albion Park in two weeks time.

In a night of G3 Golden Ticket high drama, first WA visitor Throttle ran 29.52 to win his two-dog match, only to be equalled in the next by Jay Is Jay.

Then Shipwreck went 29.58 in the next and the star-studded clash between Springtime Jet and Respectability, expected to provide the Golden Ticket winner, saw the former win in 29.62.

That left Throttle and Jay Is Jay both on 29.52. Winner of the Golden Ticket earns immediate entry to the final of the Gold Bullion.

On-track stewards settled the issue with a televised ballot which Jay Is Jay, the boom son of Sennachie and Kealoah, won much to the relief of Selena Zammit.

Dave Robartson, over from WA with Throttle (West On Augie-West On Hazel) took it on the chin. Dave and wife Christine have been back in WA for a decade after spending a similar time in Queensland when they raced superstar High Earner.

Following a ballot conducted by QRIC Stewards following R10 this evening, Jay Is Jay for Michael and Selena Zammit has been drawn as the winner of the Golden Ticket and receives automatic entry into the Group 1 $375,000 @GarrardsHnH Gold Bullion Final on February 2. pic.twitter.com/0xNM5NqVar

— Brisbane Greyhounds (@BrisGreys) January 19, 2023

Throttle started favourite for the Golden Ticket at $3.20 while Jay Is Jay was $4.20.

It took Jay Is Jay's record to 15 starts for seven wins and $129,000 in stakes.

Mick Zammit is the first to admit Thursday night was “as exciting as it gets”.

“When Throttle went so fast in the first match race, we immediately thought we would be hard pressed to beat that time,” said Mick.

“But, he equalled it and then we got lucky in the ballot.

“Poor Dave (Robartson). When our dog was drawn out Selena was so overjoyed she screamed out and it looked like Dave got the shock of his life.”

Zammit said Jay Is Jay has been mistiming his starts but is getting better and better with more racing.

“He's just trying to anticipate the start,” said Mick.

“Our family is just happy to have a good dog.”

But Mick has a warning for all those attempting to win the Group 1 Gold Bullion.

“Wow, what a dog is Throttle,” he said.

“I know Dave did not get the chance to trial him around Albion Park and his run in the four-dog heats would have brought him on.

“We saw that last night and I expect with another run next week he is going to be a massive rival in the Group 1. And, what a beautiful dog he is as well.”