Caption: Temperamental chaser Kenny Dutton (5), trained by Allan Oshyer, pictured below, will need to be back to his best against a red-hot field in Tuesday’s Capelbourne Cup at Capalaba. (Photo: Just Greyhound Photos)

By Pat McLeod

After 50-plus years as a trainer Allan Oshyer admits to ‘being tested’ by temperamental greyhound Kenny Dutton, who will contest the extremely popular Capelbourne (366m) Cup on Tuesday.

“He is a handful,” the 77-year-old said.

“At Capalaba (hosts of the annual Capelbourne Cup) I have to take him to the boxes in a harness.

“He plays up at the race kennels.”

Oshyer is also a little concerned about his on-track behaviour on Tuesday.

“Let’s just say he likes the inside and he has drawn the seven,” he said.

“But, having said that, who knows what he will do.

“I’ll be happy if he can get to fourth and I can be in the prizemoney because his form has not been great lately.

“He has levelled out and there are a lot of very good dogs in this race.”

Oshyer’s less-than-glowing summation of Kenny Dutton is somewhat softened by the dog’s owner, and Allan’s wife of 55 years, Carol.

“Yes, he is an ordinary dog, but he does have ability,” she offers.

“He is a very hard chaser. Would run through a brick wall.

“And at home, around the kennels, he is a great dog.”

Kenny Dutton undoubtedly does face a tough ask in this special feature on Melbourne Cup day with the field comprising dogs who have been nominated from those who have posted the fastest times at the Capalaba track since January 1 this year.

And that’s an impressive list, led by the Tom Tzouvelis pairing of Rio Will Rock, who just two weeks ago lowered the Capalaba record to 19.17secs, and Simply Express, who won the Capalaba Cup on October 6.

However, Kenny Dutton does boast a 19.55 PB at the straight track and Oshyer recalls when the brindle chaser first ‘clicked’ for him several runs after he had purchased the dog.

“Initially I was having second thoughts about buying him, but then one day at Capalaba he just clicked and showed real speed,” he said.

“He has since paid his way, but because of his behaviour in the race kennels he runs his race before he gets to the boxes.

“But when he clicks, he has speed.”

Oshyer says he and Carol have been involved in greyhounds for 53 years, for the past 22 at their two-and-a-half-acre property at Boyland, in the Gold Coast hinterland.

Over the years they have bred and raced some very good dogs.

This is their first appearance in a Capelbourne Cup.

“He (Kenny Dutton) qualified for the race, so we thought ‘why not’,” Oshyer said.

“How will he go? Well, that’s up to him.”

Capalaba club president George Clegg is expecting another bumper crowd for Tuesday’s non-TAB meeting.

“This has become one of our most popular race days and the Capelbourne Cup is a real feature highlight,” he said.

“We have a bookie and tote facilities, so of course patrons can bet on our races as well as anything else.

“A lot of locals come to this race day. It is a really good atmosphere.

“Although our races aren’t TAB races the prizemoney is the same as a normal TAB meet.

“First-place prizemoney for the Capelbourne Cup is $5005.”