Pop’s trainer makes early Straight Of Origin claims

By Josh Spasaro

Pop Said Yes was named after Corey Mutton’s daughter Elizabeth joked about her grandfather not being able to drive at night.

But, make no mistake – the two-year-old dog knows his way around Capalaba.

He has four wins from his past five starts ahead of his return to the straight track on Sunday, where he will jump from box five.

“How he got his name was when my daughter was up at my nan’s. They’re in their 80s,” Mutton said.

“Nan asked her what she wanted for dinner and she wanted pizza. It was in the dark and Nan said: ‘Pop can’t drive at night’.

“That was how we got Nan Said No (a dog Mutton previously trained) and Pop Said Yes.”

Based on the Gold Coast, Mutton has high expectations for his young chaser with nine wins from 16 starts.

But, he still believes he hasn’t seen the best from him yet.

Pop Said Yes – already with over $27,000 in career prizemoney – won his first four starts, including over 520 metres at Q2 Parklands on October 25 last year, where he crossed the line in 30.06 seconds.

“He’s untapped. I had a go at 520 metres with him. It was about five months ago when he started,” Mutton said.

“What people still don’t see is his second split is the record at Q2 Parklands in his first race there.

“And, how many good dogs just rolled around that joint in the past few months? They were all in the big races.

“He went 7.52 seconds. Not one of them broke 7.60 seconds over the carnival. Just his run home let him down.

“But, he seems to have improved his run home. That’s why I’ve been just going to the straight and giving him some confidence.

“I’ve got three dogs, so I can’t play the numbers game.”

Bred in Victoria - by Mr. America and out of Tin Tin Speckle - Mutton is pleased with the Pop Said Yes' bloodline.

“The sire Mr. America (by former star US chaser, Se Tali Sundance) was a straight-tracker. But, when I did look up the dam, it’s American on American,” he said.

“Her father (Superior Panama) is American as well.

“And, it brings size. She only had three pups, but they are huge.

“They were two feet long at five weeks of age. The bit about Pop is the American lines are strong in a straight line.”

Mutton’s daughter Elizabeth helped with naming Pop Said Yes and she also enjoys handling him because she can see his potential.

“She’s got her handler’s licence over the past 12 months. When she was boxing him, she was struggling getting him in,” he said.

“She was just excited because he’s a good dog and she wanted to box him.

“He just turned two (in November). It’s exciting for me because I’ve only had a couple of really good dogs.

“The last one was Jimmy The Singer. He was injury-prone. He didn’t really hit his mark.

“And, the one before that was a while ago. I made the Winter Cup Final at Albion Park with him.

“He was Gunnadoo Rev. He beat Hecton Bale after he just won the Australian Cup.”

Mutton said it was exciting that Pop Said Yes could line up in the $60,000 Straight Of Origin at Capalaba on June 28.

The promising dog posted a seven-length win at Capalaba last Sunday, crossing the line in 19.42 seconds.

“It’s invitational only. It (Straight Of Origin) is based on the fastest runs,” he said.

“I clocked the fastest run this year last week. So far, I’m number one preference.

“That’s where I want to be.”

Mutton added Pop Said Yes had a good head on his shoulders to match his natural talent.

“Sitting in the kennels isn’t a problem. He loves travelling,” he said.

“This is just part of the journey. Humble beginnings at Capalaba.

“He started getting some bad box manners in the past few starts and I think I’ve corrected those. He’s coming out a lot better.”

Meanwhile, Idea’s Girl also takes excellent form into Capalaba on Sunday.

The two-year-old bitch has won her past six starts and will jump from box six for John Quarman.