Top dog is no laughing matter for Johnston family

By Jordan Gerrans

The Golden Chase Sprint Final is no laughing matter for dog man Michael Johnston as the trainer declared series sensation Comedy Act was the quickest greyhound he has ever had in his kennel.

Comedy Act has gone unblemished through the heat and semi-final stages of the 431 metre series, posting best-of-the-night times on both occasions.

He has done so from the five alley over the last fortnight and should be not troubled by the blue rug in Saturday’s $14,000 to the winner decider.

The Karalee-based Johnston has been back training for around two years after spending a dozen years away from the industry.

He lifted an Ipswich Gold Cup over 520 metres with Raven Hill back in 2005 in his first training stint. 

Johnston trains alongside his son Riley and thinks Comedy Act might just take the kennel to honours they have not reached before in their time in the game.

“A dog like this is going to test our training capabilities to keep him right but we are doing the best we can,” the honest Johnston said.

“Comedy Act is the quickest dog we have ever had, absolutely. This fella, he is the smartest one we have put our hands on to date.

“We have had some handy dogs over the years.”

The name Comedy Act comes from the Johnstons' decision to name two pups – from a Cosmic Chief and Who Nose Size litter - they purchased ‘Hamish and Andy’ after the popular comedians.

Situation Room was the other dog and he has gone on to win five races and be placed on five other instances from 15 efforts on race day.

Comedy Act was a heat winner of the prestigious Vince Curry series at Ipswich earlier this year before bowing out in the semi-final stage.

The team were disappointed to not progress in the lucrative and time-honoured series.

The dog is unbeaten since.

“He has had a good week so there will be no excuses from our camp,” Johnston said.

“We go into the race as good as we can get him.”

Comedy Act was able to step away smartly and lead in the first two legs of the series and the trainer is eager to see if he can do it again on the big stage.

“He is still learning his craft and he is getting better with every start,’ he said.

“He is slowly but surely working everything out.

“Hopefully he will only get better with age and exposure to racing.”

Previously known as the Auction Series, the Golden Chase follows the same format with 431 metre and 520 metre races, both for chasers who progressed through the 2022 Ipswich Auction.

The annual event attracted more than 300 ‘graduates’ that year following the announcement that the 2024 main feature over 520 metres would offer $100,000 to the winner.

As Comedy Act contested the 520 metre Vince Curry series in January, the kennel are keen to progress through to the big prize.

The trainer noted the dog will head to the Ipswich Young Guns then the 520 metre Golden Chase.

“It is terrific, the money,” he said.

“He has always showed ability, since he was a pup

“Everything has been pretty quick with him.

“He is a really good chaser – a really strong chaser – and committed dog.”

Heats of the 520 metre Golden Chase will be held on March 30, with the semi-finals on April 6 and Final April 13.