Benny races to script in 'Rocky' Cup victory

By Pat McLeod

Shrewd sprinter Backcreek Benny has positioned himself ideally leading into the rich Queensland Winter Greyhound Racing Carnival with a resounding win in Wednesday night’s Rockhampton Cup Final. 

The Selena Zammit-trained speedster raced to script, beginning fairly before placing himself perfectly for his trademark strong finish and won by five lengths from Tagovailoa (trained by Tom Tzouvelis), with Chris Brydon’s Drink Tins third.

“I knew that if he (Backcreek Benny) stayed on the fence he would be a hope,” Selena’s husband and master trainer Mick Zammit said.

“There was a chance of trouble with some speed dogs coming across. I just wanted my bloke to stay on the fence going through that first corner and that was the difference.”

Backcreek Benny began his career on the NSW Northern Rivers, but was sent to the Zammit’s kennel, just north of the Gold Coast, in a bid to maximise his emerging ability.

The versatile racer has been ear-marked for a future in distance racing.

However, Mick Zammit said the Rockhampton Cup success only confirmed the kennel’s intention of not hurrying that transition from sprints.

“He (Backcreek Benny) is a hard one to work out,” Mick Zammit said.

“We knew that he had a lot of ability. We knew how fast he was and he came with big wraps.

“We also knew that the longer the race, the better it suited him and we did not think we would still be sprinting with him at this stage.

“But, because he has been sprinting so well recently, we thought, ‘Why not’. Some of his runs have been exceptional."

The winning time was 29.71 seconds on Wednesday night. 

“I think 600 metres will be his pet distance, with a good chance that he will run 700 metres," Mick Zammit said.

“But, if you can win sprints, then why not keep racing them?

“It will just depend on how he is going. If he continues to sprint with confidence, then we are happy to race him in sprints or over 600 metres. There is no point trying to prove a point in regards to 700 metres. 

“We will just see what happens and we will not try to map out too much of his future. He can navigate a field exceptionally well, which helps over any distance. He is nailing it at the moment. So hopefully he keeps doing it.”

Mick Zammit said he wouldn’t put a line through any of the major sprints in the upcoming Queensland Winter Greyhound Racing Carnival.

“I wouldn’t say he couldn’t win the (Group 1 and $1 million) Brisbane Cup,” Mick Zammit said of the 520 metre race.

“He would probably have his work cut out for him, but the way he is going now, you would not be shocked.”

Wednesday night’s win was Selena and Mick’s first win in the Rockhampton Cup.

“We have qualified for the Final before, but this year was our turn,” Mick Zammit said.

“It is certainly one of the richest regional races on the national calendar, but it is also a prestigious race.”

Local hope Play Dirty (Dallas Beckett) found trouble at the first corner, then surged back to finish an unlucky fourth.