Still plenty of fight in Out The Bottle

By Josh Spasaro

Out The Bottle is four years old with 88 starts to his name, but he has still got some good racing ahead of him.

Those are the thoughts of Bundaberg trainer John Kuhn ahead of the Trevor McSherry Classic at Capalaba on Sunday.

The black dog takes three wins from his past five starts, and 16 career victories, into the straight track event. 

Of those recent triumphs, the Whiskey Riot and Night Time Lover chaser crossed the line in 23.52 seconds over 407 metres at Rockhampton on May 4.

After jumping well, he saluted by four-and-a-quarter lengths and recorded the best time of the day.

“He ran the best of the day at 'Rocky' two starts ago. I call them kids – because they are to me – but the old kids will tell me when they’ve had enough,” Kuhn said.

“His starts are probably becoming limited, but he’s a good old dog and he’s still competitive.

“As long as they’re competitive, they’re still racing. If he goes well, there’s a QGOLD race in 'Rocky' in a few weeks’ time we might look at.”

Kuhn said he moved on from Out The Bottle’s last start, where he finished seventh at Capalaba last Sunday.

From the four box, his experienced chaser found himself in early traffic.

The former runner for Darren Taylor has drawn the three for this Sunday’s assignment.

“Box three will be tough. He’s a very funny dog. If he gets a touch, he’ll go back to last and run on,” Kuhn said.

“He needs clear space to show his best and a little bit of room early.

“He’s fine after his last start. Don’t get me wrong, he’s in a good headspace and he can run time.”

Michael Boody prepared Out The Bottle’s dam, Night Time Lover.

The experienced Central Queensland conditioner had a high opinion of him.

“Mick said once he’s led, he’s never been beaten,” Kuhn said.

“The dog is owned by Declan and Jordan Taylor, who are Darren’s sons, and my daughter, Micaela.

“Jordan and my daughter are married. They met at 'Rocky' and we’ve got a great understanding. We’re a team effort and that’s why we’ve got the name KT Racing.

“We joke that every time a dog wins for Declan, he always looks for another one to buy. We tell him there’s no more room.”

Kuhn said Out The Bottle was currently at his ideal chasing size.

“He’s a 30kg dog and that’s where he races best. We got him to his race weight and he’s racing very consistently at the moment,” he said.

Kuhn has three other greyhounds also running on the Capalaba card on Sunday.

They are Speakeasy and Too Many Words. Too Many Words will make her third start after a nine-week break.

And, King Eternal will attempt his 11^th win from 90 starts when he exits box eight in his event. 

“I’ve got King Eternal. He’s been here, there and everywhere. He started down in Melbourne and could’ve been anything,” Kuhn said.

“His half-sister Dish Liquor won on Wednesday night. He’ll go all right.

“And, the maidens will go all right, but I’ve got Michelle Sultana in the race with Bowler making his first start. She doesn’t have average dogs at her place.”