Caption: Top South Australian trainer Tony Rasmussen, and Rebecca Burns, with kennel trump Victa Damian, after victory in a heat of the Group 2 Flying Amy Classic (520m) at Albion Park On Thursday night. (Photo: Box 1 Photography)

By Pat McLeod

South Australian master trainer Tony Rasmussen made a triumphant return to Albion Park on Thursday night storming through to next week’s final of the Group 2 Flying Amy Classic (520m) with a three-pronged attack.

Making his first appearance back at the ‘The Creek’ since what he describes as a ‘terrible’ campaign here in June, 2018, with Honcho Monelli and Nations, Rasmussen, qualified three of four heat runners, with his brilliant youngster Victa Damian capturing the Brisbane Winter Carnival spotlight.

The already well-credentialled chaser, with a prizemoney tally of almost $230,000, survived a bumper-car ride throughout his heat to not only emerge in front, but went on to dominate.

“That was an incredible run,” Rasmussen said immediately after that heat.

“He should never have won that race after he got checked on that first corner. He was that far back. I still cannot believe he won the race.

“But he has used his brains and sheer talent has won that race for him.

“He is a champion. A real good dog.

“I rate that run as one of his best because he came from the back of the field and showed real guts.”

Rasmussen also qualified Damian’s littermates Victa Marli and Victa Alby.

“I am ecstatic with that result tonight, three in the final,” he said.

“It is a big effort to come all the way up here and do this. A few people laughed at me when I said that I was coming up here for the carnival.

“But at the end of the day, if you don’t try you don’t know, do you.

“I trialed on Monday and it has paid off.

“Coming up here is not all about the money for us. It is more about the prestige of winning these races now that we have the dogs that we think can do it.

“I have always said that if I have a dog that can be competitive in these big races, then I will go. I will travel anywhere.”

The seven Flying Amy Classic heats showcased arguably the best line-up of young talent ever seen at The Creek.

Included in that are Victorian maestro Jason Thompson’s two starters in the finale – Alpha Zulu and Umberto.

Thompson again has entrusted his valuable chasers to the care of premier Queensland trainer Tony Brett during the Brisbane Winter Carnival. Brett has a high opinion of both.

Of Alpha Zulu (8: 6-1-1), he said: “His acceleration is incredible! From behind it looked like he jumped all right, but he did hit the dogs beside him and I thought he would be in trouble. But he is a big, strong dog and he knew what he wanted to do.”

He was also rapt with Umberto’s heat win.

“He knew where he wanted to go. He has good speed and did well to hang on. I am rapt with that run,” Brett said.

“He has good habits for a young dog. Behind the boxes he was the one that I wanted to be on. He was feeling enormous.”

The only ‘local’ to win through the heats stage of the Flying Amy was Greg Stella’s Magistrate.

“Box draws are a big advantage and he certainly took advantage,” Stella said.

“He wasn’t the best dog in the race, but he has run a PB tonight (29.82, the fastest heat time).

“I was first reserve in the Flying Amy final last year with Black Comanche and that was the best I had done in this race. So, this year we have gone one better and we are actually in the final.”

Sydney trainer Minnie Finn was rapt with her kennel’s Zipping Remus’s heat win run, which cemented a finals berth.

“I was very happy with that considering it was his first trip away and first time on the track,” she said.

“He’s only a young dog and learning all the time.”

The Box draw for the Group 2 $225,000 TAB Flying Amy Classic Final (520m) to be held next Thursday night at Albion Park: 1. Umberto (Jason Thompson); 2. Victa Damian (Lisa Rasmussen); 3. Victa Alby (Tony Rasmussen); 4. Zipping Remus (John Finn); 5. Alpha Zulu (Jason Thompson); 6. Dundee Rebel (Geoffrey Scott-Smith); 7. Magistrate (Greg Stella); 8. Victa Marli (Tony Rasmussen). Res: 9. Crackerjack Aret (Jordan) Cooper); 10: Custard Monelli (David Hobby).

Local trainers fared a little better in the Thursday night’s four heats of the $60,000-to-the-winner Garrard’s Carnival Chase (600m) with wins to Adulate (Tony Zammit) and Keen (Brent Kline).

Wheel And Go (Tim Britton) clocked the fastest heat time (34.70). The final heat was won by the Forbes-based Palawa King (Raymond Smith).

Box draw for the Group 3 $90,000 Garrards Horse & Hound Carnival Chase Final (600m) to be held next Thursday night at Albion Park: 1. Keen (Brent Kline); 2. Adulate (Tony Zammit); 3. On The Off (Tim Britton); 4. Dayseas Rowdy (Darryl Mcgrath); 5. Wheel And Go (Tim Britton); 6. Hara’s River (Jemma Daley); 7. Zoha Bale (Mark Delbridge); 8. Palawa King (Raymond Smith). Res: 9. Zipping Orlando (John Finn); 10. Ailee Bale (Mark Delbridge).

Following Wednesday’s three heats, the Box draw for the Group 3 TAB Dashing Corsair Final (710m) to be held next Thursday night at Albion Park is: 1. Jimmy Intention (Tom Tzouvelis); 2. Spot On Harper (Greg Brennan); 3 Bogie Hurricane (Ryan Ayre); 4. Play Nice (Tim Britton); 5. She’s In Clover (Garry Gilbert); 6. Zipping Whiskey (Michael Hardman); 7. Sorority (Jedda Cutlack); 8 Wendy Rocks (John Dart). Res: 9. Nangar Rocket (Dennis Barnes); 10. Targod Shirley (Justin Bowman).