Nuts performance from Ayre debutant

By Jordan Gerrans

Group 1-winning trainer Ryan Ayre thought debutant That's Nuts raced like a seasoned greyhound in the last of the Vince Curry heats on Saturday evening and he believes there is plenty more to come with the exciting chaser.

The son of Barcia Bale had to wait until the last of the eight heats at Ipswich but he eventually punched his ticket through to the semi-finals in 30.74 seconds.

Comedy Act – prepared by Michael Johnston – set the pace across the heats of the famous rich maiden series in 30.50 seconds.

Burpengary trainer Ayre could not have been more happy with That’s Nuts’ first run under race conditions as he was well-backed and nabbed roughie Johnny No Ice on the line over 520 metres.

“I thought it was an absolute sensational run for where he is at,” Ayre said.

“That was his first go with any more than three dogs and first go over 500 metres.

“He handled the race like he been around 25 times. I was wrapped with the run and he pulled up as good as you would expect.

“I was stoked with his performance and obviously the way he races from here on, box draws will be massive.”

That's Nuts found the rail from the four alley on Saturday and made ground on tearaway leader Johnny No Ice as the race went on before sneaking up the inside to score.

The black dog has only recently ticked past 18 months of age and Ayre says he had just enough time to get him towards 520 metres with the Vince Curry in mind.

That's Nuts trialled at the Showgrounds-based track just before Christmas.

“On the clock, I think I heard his personal run home was 11.89 seconds, which is unheard of for your first 500 metre run,” Ayre said of Saturday night’s performance.

“I expected on his trial times to run 13 seconds up the back, which he probably got close to.

“I would like to see him improve on his first sectional if he is going to figure into the race. If he can find a little bit early, he would be a chance.”

Ayre has elite level victories on his resume earlier in his career with Bogie King.

He is keen to see That's Nuts draw an inside box for the coming semi-final and declared he will be in the race ‘up to his ears’ if so.

Ayre races just a small team and also has That's Nuts’ litter brother – Wild Nuts – in work at the moment, as well as consistent stayer Bogie Hurricane.

Wild Nuts won his maiden event at Capalaba earlier this month.

He also has a bitch from the Barcia Bale and Pump It mating.

The Vince Curry Memorial Maiden series is held over three weeks with the Group 3 Final over 520 metres worth $112,500 ($75,000 to the winner) to be staged on Saturday, February 3, as the final event of the Queensland Golden Greys Summer Racing Carnival.

Like many trainers with a smart unraced dog around this time of year, Ayre had his eyes on the Vince Curry a fair way out.

“He is a nice, relaxed type of dog and he looks like he is pretty versatile,” Ayre said.

“He will be able to sprint, goes good up the straight and he should get 600 metres later on his breeding. There is plenty of options there for him.

“He broke in sensational and I always had in the back of my mind to go to the Vince Curry. His run on Saturday was good.”

Ayre was not the only trainer with a small kennel that grabbed a heat victory on Saturday night.

Patrick Dennis presented debutant Time Keeper to score in 30.76 seconds.

The Rocklea-based dog man was pleased with the son of Fernando Bale’s run as he lead throughout

‘He is doing everything right,” Dennis said.

“It is a nice place to be – especially in the heats – you just had to lead.”