Caption: Cliff Houston with his pair of littermates – speedy bitch Tira Mira (on his left) and Burnt Briar. (Photo: Just Greyhound Photos)
By Rowan Anderson
“She is sure to give the boys a run for their money,” is how trainer Clifford Houston rates his speedy bitch, Tira Mira’s chances in the Final of the TAB Anniversary Cup at Capalaba this Sunday.
In winning her heat last week in a time of 19.29 she also set the record for the fastest bitch at Capalaba and made her mark as the fourth fastest dog to run the straight at the track.
Tira Mira’s hopes of victory were boosted on Saturday when major race threat, Tony Brett’s Milligan, was scratched because of a foot injury. The reigning Queensland straight track champion had injured his foot while waiting to race at Albion Park on Thursday night and lost a race against time to recover for Sunday’s Capalaba final.
Houston has two hopes in the final with Tira Mira jumping from the inside box and Burnt Briar out of box seven.
He said that even though Tira Mira had a great run out of the pink box, she could back that run up with a dominating final performance.
“She has never come out from that side so it may be a little strange for her, but if she flies out like last time, she has a great chance of winning,” he said.
He added that his other runner Burnt Briar also had a decent shot from the seven box.
“I really think Beck and Call will be the one best drawn (box four) and for mine he might be the hardest to beat,” Houston said.
“Depending on how the dogs jump will determine how the race plays out.”
Nathan Goodwin trains Lenny’s Chevy and said that the race start would determine the kennel’s fortunes.
“The dog is going great and probably is in career-best form, but this is the hardest race of his life,” he said. “He really will need a lot of luck, but the box is perfect so he can maintain a straight line up the rail side.
“It would be a real miracle if he was to win the race, but great to have a starter in such a prestigious race at Capalaba.
“Tira Mira is airborne at present and will certainly be the one to beat.”
Terry Priest who trains one of the dogs in the running for Dog of the Year, Magical Len, said that even with the great box (8) his dog will need some luck.
“It’s a good box but we’ll need a lot of luck to beat these young sprinters,” he said.
“Tira Mira is an outstanding bitch. Fernando Grand is also a great performer and then there is Beck and Call who will also be ready to go.”
The Anniversary Cup celebrates the date of December 9, 2018, when the Capalaba Greyhound Club joined with TAB Sky Racing and radio coverage creating a partnership to boost the clubs profile.
Past winners have included Bogie Fury (2021), Hara’s Clyde (2020) and Never Walk Alone (2019).
The Box draw:
1 Tira Mira – Clifford Houston
2 Lenny’s Chevy – Nathan Goodwin Nathan
3 Champagne Jazzy – Raymond Burman
4 Beck And Call – Christine Bourke
5 Milligan – Tony Brett (SCR)
6 Fernando Grand – Gary Mackay
7 Burnt Briar – Clifford Houston
8 Magical Len – Terry Priest
9 Just Like Mick – Jedda Cutlack
10 Where’s The Ford – Noel Evans
