Rocklea Earle Remains Unbeaten In Dave Brett

“COUSIN” Ray was the first on the phone with congratulations and rightly so because it was Ray who had dragged Doug Helton into greyhound racing way back in the Gabba days of the late 1970s and early 80s.

The “congrats” were for Doug's win in Thursday night's Dave Brett Memorial Final (520m) at Albion Park with Rocklea Earle, the Barcia Bale-Paint Face dog trained by Selena and Mick Zammit.

Rocklea Earle, named in honour of Doug's late dad Earle, remained unbeaten in four starts when he wore down Speed Zone and held off Distant Flash to win the time-honoured event.

He ran 30.20 and started $6 … “just the right price for an old pensioner” joked Doug.

Ray Helton had great success as a trainer in the Gabba days preparing Greyhound of the Year Gallant Anne and took classy Jane's Replica and Wee Robbie to Sydney to win glamour races.

Along the way Doug and his late sister Linda became enticed into greyhound racing and they too had great success with special greyhounds like Linda's Liberty.

“Ray was the first on the phone,” said Doug. “It was a special moment, especially as the dog is named after the old boy. He would have been on him for sure.”

But it was a 20-year relationship with Mick Zammit that paved the way for Doug to get back into greyhound racing after he retired as a communications whiz from Telstra and set his mind to becoming a whiz at punting as well.

“Mick and I have been flying to Melbourne every year for the Cox Plate,” said Doug.

“We have a special rapport now after all those years. I suppose Mick felt some guilt that he had to find me a nice young pup because every single year I let him have the window seat on the plane on the way to Melbourne.”

Mick and Selena Zammit's daughter Carlie raced Paint Face, a Fernando Bale-Alpha Demeter bitch which was a multiple Albion Park winner and finalist in the Group 2 Qld Futurity.

She is also a litter sister to Group 1 stars Do It and Mr Fix It.

Rocklea Earle drew wide in the final and the hot favourite Speed Zone was expected to lead easily and be able to hold out his opposition.

“Mick really fancied our chances,” said Doug. “And, I've come to learn over 20 years on the punt with him that when Mick fancies his chances, he rarely misses.”

So Doug designed an “all up”.

“I started with Rocklea Earle, into Icy Eyes, All Natural and then Dayseas Rowdy all at Albion Park and all in Mick and Selena's kennel, but finally into Jay Is Jay at Wentworth Park on Friday night,” said Doug.

By Friday morning, Helton was still riding high after the Zammit kennel had won four races with Rocklea Earle, Icy Eyes, All Natural and Dayseas Rowdy.

Four down, one to go.