FORMER Queensland greyhound Tombstone Jack earned a trip to South Australia when he gunned down the odds-on favourite Damek to win the state heat of the National Sprint Championship over 515 metres in Launceston last night.
Damek was expected to keep his unbeaten record from 12 starts in Tasmania intact and it looked likely when he led and booted clear down the back stretch.
But Tombstone Jack produced a scintillating finishing burst to run the favourite down in the shadows of the post.
It was an elated trainer Stuart Genge who held back tears as he greeted the media after the race.
“This is clearly my biggest win in racing and I reckon this dog has what it takes to do well in the national final,” Genge said.
“I’ve only had this dog for about six months but he’s setled in really well. He’s won four and been placed as many times from his nine starts for me with his only unplaced run being at his first start for me in Hobart,” he said.
Tombstone Jack will tackle the National Sprint Championship at Angle Park in South Australia on August 28.
The National Sprint and Distance Championships each carry a stake of $50,000 to the winner.
Listen to what trainer Stuart Genge had to say about Tombstone Jack’s win – click here .