Red hot field set for Capalaba Cup

February 26, 2021

$\"\"$ Caption: Capalaba Derby winner Columbian King with handler Chenille Yeomans and trainer Jamie Hosking (Photo: Erin Cameron)

CON SCIACCA CAPALABA CUP ($37,500)

(366m, Listed)

Heats March 21, final March 28

By TERRY WILSON

AT least two, possibly more, finalists in last month’s Garrards Gold Bullion could be contenders in the Con Sciacca Capalaba Cup coming up at the bayside Brisbane straight track in late March.

Trainers Tony Brett (Sentenced) and club president John Catton (Little Byrnes) have flagged the possibility of having their speedsters going for attractive first money of $25,000 on offer in the 366-metre scamper

Heats of the $35,000 Cup are scheduled for Sunday, March 21, with the final a week later on March 28.

And there is every chance the field will include Sentenced and Little Byrnes, who were unplaced in the G1 Gold Bullion at Albion Park.

Yet they may be just two outstanding performers in the field with a number of leading interstate trainers expressing interest in the straight track dash for cash.

Catton said he had received a number of inquiries from leading trainers in New South Wales and Victoria.

Brett won the Cup last year with Hara’s Clyde and, all going well, that dog will return to defend its title.

“We’ll be heading that way, probably with a few of them actually,” said Grandchester-based Brett when asked if Hara’s Clyde will be chasing back-to-back Cups.

“What A Debacle, Sentenced – it all depends on what other races are on offer.”

Hara’s Clyde won the 2020 Capalaba Cup in 19.69s then backed up to win the TAB Anniversary Cup in 19.67s.

Sentenced was injured when running in the Gold Bullion final and Brett had to scratch the dog from the Temlee Classic in Melbourne the following week.

It would be a dream for Capalaba boss John Catton if he can get Little Byrnes into the classic on his home track.

“We’ll definitely have a look at the Cup and see how he’s going,” said Catton.

Little Byrnes was earmarked for a couple of big events down south, the Richmond Derby and the Golden Easter Egg, and all will depend on how the dog gets through that campaign.

Another top chance, if fit, will be 2020 Capalaba Greyhound of the Year Columbian King, trained by Jamie Hosking at Churchable, west of Ipswich.

‘Pablo’, as the black dog is known in the kennels, resumed from a leg injury on February 14 in its first start since November 29, runner-up to Magical Trav in a heat of the TAB Anniversary Cup.

‘Pablo’ was named Capalaba GOTY for 2020 after wins in the Capelbourne Cup in 19.45s, Capalaba Derby in 19.56s and the Grand Prix in 19.67s.

Hosking was delighted with the dog’s comeback run when it clocked 19.88 seconds.

“We’re keeping our fingers crossed,” said the young trainer.

“It was his first start back and he won (in February). He ran 19.88 so I’m happy with that and the two trials he ran before that were red-hot.”

Hosking said it will be definitely a hard race to win this year with the Group 3 level money, although the event still has two more stagings before it can get official Group 3 status.

“There’ll definitely be some good dogs here with $25,000 for the winner,” he said.

CAPALABA CUP HONOUR BOARD

2020: Hara’s Clyde (Tony Brett) 19.69s.

2019: Not held.

2018: Leeroy Rogue (Jeff Crawford) 19.48s.

2017: Too Many Bills (Renald Attard) 19.66s.

2016: Better Than This (Kerry Hoggan) 19.62s.

2015: Burj Khalifia Glen Monkman 19.69

2014: Burj Khalifia Glen Monkman 19.51

2013: Veno (John Adams)/Are They Now (Peter Ruetschi) dead-heat 19.76s.

2012: Text Me Daddy (Glenn Smith) 19.79s.

2011: Rylee\’s Enforcer (Greg Stella) 19.40s.