Nationals part of Capalaba Cup plan for Big Al’s

By Josh Spasaro

Regardless of how Big Al’s performs in the National Straight Track Final at Healesville on Friday, Warren Nicholls believes he is on a path to mount a competitive Capalaba Cup campaign.

The two-year-old qualified for the Group 3 feature over 350 metres with a thrilling victory over Secret Story in the Queensland Straight Track Championship Final at Capalaba on August 16.

He came back from mid-pack to flash home in 19.45 seconds, exhibiting a stunning turn of foot inside the last 50 metres.

Now with five consecutive victories, the Aston Rupee and Lanmor Cutie chaser will be aimed at the Group 2 Capalaba Cup Final on October 11, following this week’s assignment.

But, this pathway only emerged by chance after the red brindle dog won in modest fashion in his first straight track start for Nicholls this preparation, saluting in 19.77 seconds on July 22.

He did triumph by two-and-a-half lengths over the consistent Appeal for Gregory Stella, displaying sharp improvement in his next three victories.

“Yes, he probably has exceeded my expectations,” Nicholls said.

“I was hoping he had this sort of ability and that’s why we went back there to Capalaba a bit early. 

"But, 19.70 seconds is not going to win you a Capalaba Cup. You’ve got to be running 19.40 seconds or lower.

“I think we can get there.”

Winning the Queensland Straight Track Championship title was the third consecutive time Big Al’s has defeated the reigning Capalaba Cup victor, Secret Story.

This means his preparation has been spot on for the National Straight Track Final, which is worth $45,750.

“I couldn’t tell you how many times Secret Story has been up that track. I don’t know whether we’ve even been up there 10 times, including trials,” Nicholls said.

“I thought we were in a good spot running 19.50 seconds off the limited runs he’s had there. And, I thought we’d be competitive through the series, but last start gave me a bit of encouragement.

“He got a bit off balance and a dog got him halfway up the straight and just knocked him off balance a little bit.

“But, he kept going and still ran around 19.40 seconds.”

It was also by chance that Nicholls happened to add Big Al’s to his Churchable-based operation from Rebecca Baker in New South Wales.

He only had one start for her, finishing last in a maiden over 400 metres at Dubbo on October 11 of last year.

“We have a friend of ours who’s related to the trainer down there in Dubbo,” Nicholls said.

“They moved him on and just wanted to give him another chance. It was a matter of us giving him eight weeks and seeing if he was worth keeping.”

Top trainer and breeder Nicholls has a knack for reviving the careers of plenty of greyhounds and that has included sending some up to reigning Rockhampton trainers’ premiership winner Juanita Thompson for a change of scenery.

Let’s Just Dance, Pelorus and Hold The Gavel have been some of the chasers he has sent to Central Queensland who have enjoyed recent success.

“I don’t know what happens, if it’s the way we train them. I don’t think there’s anything out of the box, but we’ve had a bit of luck,” Nicholls said.

“We don’t take any shortcuts. That’s probably a big thing, too.

“It is what it is. We dig in and do it and we get the results. We wouldn’t mind getting a few better dogs, but you don’t come across them often.”

Nicholls and Big Al’s have been staying with top Melbourne conditioner Anthony Azzopardi in the lead-up to the National Straight Track Final at Healesville on Friday.

The Churchable-based conditioner said he could not have asked for more from his in-form chaser going into this week’s Group 3 feature.

“He’s knocked off some really good straight dogs,” he said.

“We’re pretty excited and looking forward to it.”

Meanwhile, Neutron takes good form into the Michael Miller Memorial Final at Capalaba on Sunday.

The black dog ran the fastest heat time of 19.59 seconds, saluting by two-and-a-half lengths over Death Adder for Chris Brydon.

Venator won another heat for Jedda Cutlack, crossing the line in 19.72 seconds.

Neutron - who only turns two on September 26 - led for most of the way last start.

After his fifth consecutive victory when he saluted in 19.55 seconds on July 12, the Shepherd kennel thought the Primo Uno and Tarks Tammy Rose chaser was developing nicely.

“I think as he matures and learns how to run in a field, he’s starting to get a bit better,” Ben Shepherd said.

“I think with a bit of experience he’s capable. He’s always shown that he has a bit of pace to him. 

"But, I have been surprised about how well he’s navigated the field and learnt how to run with the field.”