Trainer targets Alston for Capalaba features

By Josh Spasaro

Alston has only had one start for Christopher Brydon, but he has no doubt that he is good enough to qualify for the Straight of Origin at Capalaba on June 28.

In the meantime, the three-year-old black dog will jump from box two for the Churchable trainer at the same venue this Sunday.

Brydon has been impressed with what he has seen so far from his chaser, who has five wins from 12 total starts and over $35,000 in prizemoney.

“He should win on Sunday from a suitable draw. I think he should be very hard to beat,” Brydon said.

“He’s a very fast animal. Wherever he’s gone he’s run exceptional times.

“He’s been sent up here for the upcoming carnivals at Capalaba.

“We’ve got the Straight of Origin in June and the Capalaba Cup in October. 

"So, he’s been sent up to target these major races up the straight.”

Brydon said he was pleased with Alston’s first start under his care at the 366 metre straight grass track venue on Wednesday.

Zipping Schrub won the race by seven lengths for Tom Tzouvelis, but Alston showed a good turn of foot inside the last 100 metres to finish second in a time of 20.12 seconds.

“He had his first start for me on Wednesday and he just had no luck,” Brydon said.

“He missed the kick by half-a-length and was in trouble all the way up the straight.

“And, then he got clear with 70 metres to go, flashed home and ran second. 

"He showed the ability he’s got.”

Brian Fothergill sent up Alston from Marionvale, in northern Victora, and Brydon was instantly impressed with his Shima Shine and My Desiree chaser.

“He’s only a lightly-raced dog with 12 starts. But, he’s got a serious engine,” he said.

“If he gets clear room, he’s the fastest of any straight tracker in the country.

“He’s got a few tricks about him, there’s no doubting that.

“But, he just seems to love the drag lure. 

"We’ve got the drag lure system at Capalaba and he really seems to put in behind that.”

Brydon is excited at the potential Alston has for improvement with a start in the $60,000 Straight of Origin his overall aim.

“Without a doubt in the world (he can qualify). I’ve got plenty of time with three months up my sleeve and maybe a little bit longer,” he said.

“The only two times he started at Capalaba last year were second to Secret Story in the Final of the Capalaba Cup, beaten by a length-and-a-half.

“And, he was beaten by less than half-a-length in the heat behind Serial Sticker. Serial Sticker has proven to be one of the better straight trackers in Victoria.

“And, Secret Story is our supreme straight tracker.

“If he can be within a length of both those dogs in two goes at Capalaba, I think with a few more looks and without the travel and having to settle in, he can improve and do what’s required to beat those types of dogs.”