Pop Said Yes primed for Straight Of Origin

By Josh Spasaro

Corey Mutton thought Pop Said Yes could have an outstanding career after just his second start.

That was when he shaved almost half a second off his best time at Capalaba in August of last year.

Now, with 14 wins from 24 starts, the three-year-old brindle dog will jump from box two at the same venue in the Group 3 Straight Of Origin on Sunday.

That kind of improvement is why the Gold Coast conditioner isn't anxious about the brindle dog’s chances in the star-studded feature worth $63,500.

“He went from 20.17 to 19.76 seconds in a week,” Mutton said.

“I haven’t found the bottom of him because he’s a bit quirky. On his day, when he runs home in 13.4 seconds, he’s just got everything you want.

“I’m not actually nervous this time. I used to get a bit nervous about Group Finals.”

As well as his rapid development on the clock, Pop Said Yes is an imposing figure.

“There are probably a couple who might be bigger in South East Queensland, but other than him, I haven’t had anything over 36kg,” Mutton said.

“If you put too much weight on a dog, it’ll slow them. When he kept putting on weight, I kept getting worried, but he kept getting quicker.

“I think he was 34kg when I first raced him.”

If there is early traffic at box rise, Mutton believes Pop Said Yes won’t be bullied, adding the home-track advantage would also be beneficial.

“I’m pretty happy with the two box – I think it gives him a chance,” he said.

“The three is Secret Story who moves to the rail. The one (Storms Will Roll) wants to go to the middle a lot.

“I won’t have any trouble holding him straight.

“Most of these dogs have come from Richmond where it’s only 324 metres. If you watch Capalaba, most of our racing is done in the final 40 metres.

“It’s not like I don’t rate those dogs, but they need a lot of clear running.”

Mutton has had his eye on the Straight Of Origin for several months, but it hasn’t been an easy journey to a shot at Group 3 glory for his Mr. America and Tin Tin Speckle chaser.

“It took about three months of training the dog, educating him three or four times a week, to switch him on,” he said.

“I trialled him twice at Capalaba in 21.70 and 21.50 seconds and he just developed.”

Mr. America’s sire is SE Tali Sundance, who was a capable dog in the US. Tin Tin Speckle’s sire is Superior Panama, who has had no shortage of demand for his services.

“The American dogs just take a bit more time, but they also need a harder and heavier workload,” Mutton said.

“That’s why they raced them two or three times a week in America over 500 yards because they could handle it.

“If you look at Kelsos Fusileer, Fernando Bale’s father, I think he had 150 runs in a year. But, that’s because they’re bigger boned and stronger.

“Their joints can handle it.”

While Sunday’s Straight Of Origin will only be Pop Said Yes’s third race back from a month-long spell, Mutton was delighted with his last-start win at Capalaba on June 17.

That was when he edged out last year’s Capalaba Cup winner, Secret Story, and crossed the line in 19.79 seconds.

“That was only his second run off a slight injury break. So, I was pretty happy with his run,” Mutton said. 

“I was biding my time with him hoping he’d get selected and he did. It was just a buzz.

“I’m only a small kennel with three current race dogs and to take on the big guys and beat them – I don’t beat them every time, but that is a really good buzz.”

Mutton added there would be a touch of sentimental consolation if Pop Said Yes was defeated by Storms Will Roll this Sunday.

Storms Will Roll is representing New South Wales from box one for Darren Sultana.

“The bloke who trained Pop’s father is in the Final as well, Darren Sultana,” the boutique Queensland trainer said.

“I said to my daughter Liz, you might be upset if we don’t win. But, it’d be funny if the breeding won it. I think we’re the underdog and I don’t mind that tag.”

Mutton also threw his support behind the Straight Of Origin concept.

“I love my rugby league and our family does, so it’s a good thing. I enjoy this series,” he said.

“I like how they’re selected. A lot of people wanted heats, but I prefer the selection because it’s on merit. It’s taken us a long time to get there and we don’t want to get too excited.”