Daniel Gatt admits to being a pessimist, so while his first thoughts were that his greyhound Jungle Johnny had held on to take out the world’s richest middle distance event, his pessimism took a bit more convincing.
Jungle Johnny had opened up a big lead in the $100,000 Ladbrokes Country Classic at Dubbo’s Dawson Park, but when Late Night News set out after him, what had looked a comfortable win, became decidedly uncomfortable for Gatt who was stationed well away from the winning post in the catching pen.
“I've done all my numbers before a race and I know who's who, and the only dog I didn't want to be sitting second was the seven (Late Night News), because he's as strong as the bull,” explained Gatt, who trains Jungle Johnny with his brother Mark. “I thought, no, we got a big enough break, but then I saw him eating into the margin.
“(On the line) I thought we might have just got it, but I'm a pessimist, and there’s no numbers over there (in the catching pen) and I'm yelling out to the steward “who won, who won?” And he said to six. And that was the greatest thing I have heard from a steward ever.”
The six had prevailed by a half length in 34.46s, with Late Night News second and early leader Kangaroo Jack in third a further 8¼ lengths back.
“I feel on top of the world. I just spoke to Mark on the phone and he just said, he's a winner. He just wins, and that's fantastic. He's a fast dog too, don't worry about that. But he's learned how to win and he's like a football team, when they're winning, they keep winning, and that's him.”
Jungle Johnny is owned by John Maroun and his mother Dawn, and John trained the dog for the first seven starts of his career before making the decision that to give Jungle Johnny the best chance, the dog should go to the Gatt kennels.
“This is what dreams are made of. I’m over the moon,” said John. “Just like to thank Mark and Daniel they have done a wonderful job.
“We've had offers for this dog from day one and I sat down with mum and we had a talk and said: “you know let's just ride it out. Let's let him make his memories,.”
“This is what we've been waiting for through 25-30 years in this sport. And he's done it for us.
“I’ve been in the sport for 25-30 years and I’ve come close in a couple group three maidens, but that's about it. I’m lost for words, but I’m stoked mate.”
The Gatts now have just seven days to get Jungle Johnny ready for the heats of the Ladbrokes Golden Easter Egg at Wentworth Park.
“He's definitely going to the Egg all things being well, and if he pulls up well,” Daniel said.
“We've had a lot of success over the years dropping dogs back from 600m to 500m, the only difference being, it's normally back to a fifth grade. We're going back to a Group 1. So we won't do much with him at all during the week to be honest. You know to let him do what he wants to do, it’s about keeping him happy.
“All the work's been done in the previous months, getting him fit and he's where we want him now. We just have to freshen him up and keep him happy, and as long as he pulls up well, he'll be in that Egg next week.
“The Easter Egg is that one race, being a Sydneysider, and I've spoken to Mark about this before. It's the one race we want to win. Look it's three weeks away and there's a lot to go a lot of water to go under the bridge, but, yeah, we're going to give him a go, and it's up to him now.”
