By Jordan Gerrans
John Catton has long dreamed of lifting a Listed Capalaba Cup and believes he has every chance to finally do so this Sunday afternoon.
Catton, who trains in his own right as well as being the President of the Capalaba Greyhound Racing Club, has the consistent Little Byrnes in the $35,500 Final, jumping with the green rug.
Little Byrnes (pictured) ran second in his heat seven days prior to the Final, going down by two lengths to Bogie Fury.
While Catton runs the show down at Capalaba, his gun dog does not race there very often, finishing second in his one effort down the straight track, which was last Sunday.
Little Byrnes usually mixes it with the best dogs in Queensland and Australia, competing in the recent Group 1 Gold Bullion Final at Albion Park.
“It is one of the races I have actually strived to win over the last 12 years, since I have been back training dogs,” Catton said about the Capalaba Cup.
“I believe it is one of the more prestigious events in the racing calendar in Australia on the straight tracks.
“A lot of good dogs have gone on to be superstars after winning straight track races at a place like Capalaba.
“The club is really looking forward to Sunday.”
Catton, who runs a construction company during the week outside of his greyhound commitments, thinks Little Byrnes can spring an upset and roll hot favourite Columbian King.
While Little Byrnes has not done much straight track racing, Catton feels he will get a soft lead on the grass this Sunday and be hard to run down over 366 metres.
“The Capalaba Cup field is probably the strongest we have ever had,” Catton said.
“You could throw a blanket over all eight dogs and I believe any one of them could win the race if they get the right opportunity.
“Columbian King is no certainty in my eyes, they all have a very even chance to win the race.”