Caption: Darren Russell, right, and Wreck James at the presentation for the Dave Brett Memorial Final at Albion Park on Thursday night. (Photo: Box 1 Photography)
By Terry Wilson
ALL going well, smart youngster Wreck James could earn a crack at some rich local and southern races following his impressive win in the Dave Brett Memorial Final (520m) at Albion Park on Thursday night.
Trainer Darren Russell, from Innisplain, in the Gold Coast hinterland, indicated the Ipswich Derby and Ipswich Cup, the Maitland Cup and even the Sydney Derby could be targets for his impressive son of Barcia Bale and Chase Me Honey.
Plenty of good judges rated Wreck James as one very smart young dog and this view was only enhanced when the speedster took out the prestigious Brett Memorial.
Taking its record to three wins from as many starts, Wreck James overcame a gallant Kisses For Gran (Tony Apap) to land the $16,000 first money.
Third was John McCarthy’s Affluent.
Wreck James (box 3) was a dominant 2½ lengths winner in 30.01 seconds at the odds of $2.60. The Tony Apap trained Kisses For Gran from box 5 was the $1.95 favourite.
Immediately afterwards, Russell revealed his ambitious plans for Wreck James.
“Probably the Ipswich Derby and the Ipswich Cup,” replied Russell when asked what he had in mind for his black dog.
“I’ll see how he is going at the time, but those races are well timed for him,”
Wreck James may also be set for the Maitland Cup because Russell likes the fact that venue is a one-turn track.
“He may just go through the grades, but he may also go to Sydney for the Derby in January,” Russell said.
“Yes, they are big plans, but he’s extremely promising.”
It was on August 3 that Wreck James made its debut in an Ipswich Maiden, clocking 30.38s for the 520m trip.
Then came a heat of the 520m Dave Brett Memorial at Albion Park on September 11 and the sprinter arrived again in 29.90s.
The classic final looked a race in two on paper and that’s the way things panned out after Kisses For Gran (5) jumped brilliantly and Wreck James (3) lobbed just behind.
The pair burned right away from the others down the back straight and it was not until half-way down the home straight that Wreck James wore his rival down.
Obviously, it was a major honour to win a race remembering one of Queensland’s – as well as Australia’s – most famous past trainers, although Russell said he never knew the man.
“But if he was anything like his son Tony then he must have been a good bloke,” said Russell.
The historic Publicans Cup Final (520m) was also held on Thursday night.
The $18,500 feature was won by Jedda Cutlack’s Duffman, with Bootin’ Boodie (Jeff Crawford) second and Autumn Storm (Tom Tzouvelis) third.
The winning time was 29.97 seconds.
