Match Race Adds Intrigue To Origin Blockbuster

A match race between NSW powerhouse Jungle Johnny and budding Queensland sensation Blue Blend headlines a fascinating Ladbrokes Origin Greyhound Series at Q2 Parklands this Thursday night.

Jungle Johnny capped off his Origin preparations with a record post-to-post trial at Q2 on Saturday night in a performance that will see the Golden Easter Egg runner-up head to the boxes a decisive favourite for the $50,000-to-the-winner clash.

But with Blue Blend still boasting the fastest time at the circuit, having recorded 29.29 in his spectacular Flying Amy Classic heat success, Queenslander's haven't given up hope of securing the feature race in what could be a series deciding affair.

Jungle Johnny has drawn the one box in the Match Race with Blue Blend in the three.

The NSW sprint ranks boast an embarrassment of riches with multiple group 1 winner Good Odds Cobber leading a team that includes last start Flying Amy Classic winner Sooty Keeping, emerging young star Cumbria Jack and multiple group winner Gets Late Early.

It's back! The @ladbrokescomau Greyhound State of Origin series renews a fierce rivalry this Thursday at The Q!

The maroons & blues have released their chasing teams this morning ahead of this year's much anticipated clash.

See the lineups ????#QLDisRacing???? pic.twitter.com/7FexGo6vUc

— RaceQ (@RaceQLD) June 8, 2025

The Queensland sprint team is led by top class flyer Daysea's Rory which is joined in the $150,000-to-the-winner affair by Flying Amy runner-up Canya Escape and the well-credentialled Drink Tins and Star Turn.

Leading the Queensland team in the staying leg is The 715 winner Autumn Storm which heads into the Origin fresh off her victory in the Group 3 Dashing Corsair (642m) at Q1 Lakeside last Thursday night.

Also set to represent the home state over the 710 metres is Seriously, Garrison and Red Dirt Road.

The NSW staying team includes Lady Wilson, Gully Girl and Winifred Nora while the emergence of the hugely gifted Zig Zag Man for trainer Sid Swain adds plenty of intrigue to the affair.

The New South Wales team will be captained by former Origin legend Benny Elias while Queensland will again this year be led by Ben Hannant.

State Of Origin Sprint: 1 Get's Late Early, 2 Star Turn, 3 Good Odds Cobber, 4 Canya Escape, 5 Sooty Keeping, 6 Daysea's Rory, 7 Drink Tins, 8 Cumbria Jack. Res: 9 Midnight Queen, 10 History's Coming.

State Of Origin Distance: 1 Red Dirt Road, 2 Zig Zag Man, 3 Autumn Storm, 4 Gully Girl, 5 Garrison, 6 Winfred Nora, 7 Seriously, 8 Lady Wilson. Res: 9 Akela Ninjutsu, 10 Might Have Been.