Catton pulls the right rein with Little Byrnes

By Isaac Murphy

John Catton’s Little Byrnes has flown under the radar with his results the last few months, but the Group 1 Gold Bullion finalist and Ipswich Auction Sprint Series winner is now firmly on the scene as a hot young prospect.

Last night, he enhanced that reputation further, bringing up his 12^th win from just 21 starts in Best 7 company at Albion Park.

The dog always finds a few lengths when drawn near the rail and he took full advantage of the red rug, shooting out to an early lead, which not even the odds-on Louis Rumble could overcome.

Catton said that Little Byrnes had always done his best work at Ipswich and was rapt with the run on the eve of the Ipswich Auction 500-metre series.

“He made his name over the 431 metres at Ipswich; I did a lot of his pre-training there and he’s always been a flyer there, it was great to knock off the Sprint Series but the real money’s over the 500,” he said.

“I gave him a really light week just to freshen him up and it looks like it’s worked a treat, he won’t need much of a top off before next Saturday’s heat.

“I was going to head to the Rockhampton Cup after Ipswich but he’s going well enough I think I’ll keep him in Brisbane and concentrate on getting him to Group 1 level by the Winter Carnival.”

Fifth Grade heats a show of class

The card also featured four Fifth Grade heats over the 500 metres, with first and second progressing through to next week’s final, and a number of progressive types stamped their claims.  

Cash Stack was a good thig beaten in Saturday’s Ipswich Young Guns Final but made up for it giving his rivals wind burn in his heat for trainer Rob Cooke.

“Box speed is never going to be his go, but he had to start landing a bit closer to give himself a chance and left a lot better tonight,” he said.

“The time of 29.67 is getting down to what I expected to have him running around here, he was rock hard fit after the Ipswich Young Guns.

“The 12.40 home is his best yet, I’ll keep him ticking over here at Albion Park and his brother Cash View is on the comeback from a wrist; I’m hoping for a big few months once they win a few more races - we’ll think 600.”

The Ipswich Young Guns form lines held strong with Noel Evans and Werina Express, who set up another duel with Cash View next week after a one act affair in his heat.

“He only needed to jump from a good draw in the Ipswich Young Guns final to win, in the end he was brave sticking on for a place but it was his to lose,” Evans said.

“He’s probably going as good as he ever has and it’s a nice consolation to see him come out and put that race away tonight.

“He wins his races with his first two sectionals and from a low draw he was able to skip away and break their hearts, it’ll be a tougher test against Cash View in next week’s Final.”

Werina Express will also have to handle the talent that’s Extra Malt, with the bitch making it four on the trot at the track and trip with a 29.77 gallop, leaving trainer Graham Hall relieved as she went four wide on the first turn.

“Box eight was always going to be a test and when she was only moderately away, I was pretty worried. I’m not sure how but she found her way around that corner in one piece,” Hall said.

“We know she can run time, but we’ve been looking for a bit of track sense and she’s shown that while also running time her last two starts.

“She’ll race in the Final next Thursday night which will be her toughest test yet and then back up for the Ipswich Auction heats Saturday night - she’s loving the work.”

Spring Chatter delivers maiden Thursday win

Tricia Fuller had a feel-good win with Spring Chatter, getting home for her first Thursday win in Masters company.

Fuller juggles her training while holding down jobs at the Capalaba and Ipswich, and Spring Chatter is her only bitch in work.

“I knew she was going well so I just gave her a really light week hoping she’d jump with Certification and she’s ended up leading and winning,” she said.

“Her sister (Mrs. Sing) has won a few races on a Thursday night, now she can add her name to that list.

“She’s not a young bitch but in terms of racing she’s only had the 25 starts, so I’m hoping she’s still got a fair bit in her before I think about retirement.”

Brett left feeling Enthusiastic

There were two Novice races giving the young ones a chance to establish themselves at headquarters and there looks to be more than a couple to follow as they go through their grades.

Enthusiastic has been made to work hard for his wins, with Tony Brett’s youngster coming through some hot series’ before breaking his maiden at Ipswich and continuing his impressive form in a slick 30.07 win.

“That was his best run to date tonight, he showed a lot more speed from the seven and when the leader ran wide down the back, he didn’t hesitate to take rails run,” Brett said.

“He’s been up for a long time for a young dog, he started in Dad’s series (Dave Brett), has been to Lismore, and made the Vince Curry Final.

“He’s always struck me as a dog who you just have to wait for the penny to drop and tonight was a big step in the right direction.”

Feel The Beat ticks along nicely

Feel The Beat made a name for himself with a pair of dominant wins to make the Vince Curry Final, but it’s been tough sledding ever since for trainer Lyndall Brand who was relieved to see him break his Novice.

“We were devastated when we had to scratch him from the Vince Curry Final, he’d exceeded our expectations winning his heat and semi and deserved a chance, but nothing we could do about kennel cough,” she said.

“When Rumble Ranger went to the front in 5.46 tonight, I thought it would be all over, but he’s such an honest chaser this boy he kept coming and got there in time.

“That’s his first breakthrough at Albion Park, it’s taken him a few tries but it’s good to see him handling the track; this is where we want to keep him for the foreseeable future.”