Capalaba mini-feature a quality taste of what’s to come

By Pat McLeod

Bye Bye Swiper may be on the road towards the upcoming Capalaba Cup, however trainer Casey Dargusch isn’t expecting a confidence boost from Sunday’s Chicka Scott Appreciation Final (366m) at the boutique Brisbane straight track.

The Bago Bye Bye x Javens chaser has been the model of strength and consistency at Capalaba, but as the experienced Dargusch points out: ‘This is a cracker of a race’.

“He (Bye Bye Swiper) is a fantastic dog for us,” the Churchable-based trainer said.

“He is so honest. Always at his best, but we don’t go into this race with any confidence, for a couple of factors.

“Firstly, he is mad for the rail, and is in box six.

“Then you look at who is in the inside boxes and even a chance of a place is doubtful.”

Dargusch is referring to: Box 2, track record holder Rio Will Rock (Jason Schmidt); Box 3, group-class greyhound Blue Blend (Jeff Crawford), who ‘has trialed the house down’ at Capalaba; and Box 4, exciting youngster Secret Story (Tom Tzouvelis), who already has a 19.25sec at Capalaba on his CV.

“If we had the red against these dogs I would be hopeful of a place chance," Dargusch said.

“But now, the only hope we have is if one of the dogs on the inside forces our dog to go straight.

“If that doesn’t happen, he will head to the rail and lose vital ground.”

Of the ‘speed three’ Dargusch points to Blue Blend as ‘the one to beat’.

“He is such a fast dog on any track and although this is his first race start at Capalaba, he has already trialed very well there and has shown great form on the Q Straight," Dargusch said.

“I have no doubt Jeff will have him at his best.”

In fact, Crawford has identified Blue Blend as his number one contender for the $75,000-to-the-winner Group 2 Capalaba Cup (heats October 5, final October 12).

Sunday’s mini-feature final will be a key stepping stone for Blue Blend towards that goal.

Dargusch says Bye Bye Swiper will most likely be her kennel’s only representative in the Cup.

“He’s probably the only one suitable at this stage,” she said.

“A couple of others, such as Kyoto, who has had a season, are close, but probably won’t be ready in time.

“Sunday’s final is an indication of how strong this year’s Capalaba Cup series will be.

“It has been a while since we have seen the number of quality straight track dogs that we have here at the moment.

“There has always been one, or a few, standouts, but at the moment there is a squad of dogs who are very good straight track chasers.

“And that is without the many interstaters who no doubt will be coming.

“It is really fitting that Capalaba has a rich, Group 2 race as its annual highlight.

“We are just one of many kennels who just love coming to Capalaba.

“The track is always a pleasure to come to, but it’s vital because it gives the dogs a point of difference.

“It’s not only a very safe track, but it refreshes the dogs, makes them better race dogs.

 “So, there are lots of reasons why I’m really looking forward to this year’s Cup.”