Cutlack’s Duffman claims Curry in career-defining win

By Pat McLeod

Accomplished young trainer Jedda Cutlack took another significant career stride as her exciting youngster Duffman claimed the 40^th running of the Vince Curry Memorial Maiden in race record time at Ipswich on Saturday night.

The Park Ridge-based mentor in recent years has been an energetic force within the very successful Tom Tzouvelis kennel.

Victory in the world’s richest - $75,000 to the winner - greyhound maiden truly cemented her credentials amongst her training peers.

“This win is significant for me as a trainer,” Cutlack said after saluting in front of a packed Ipswich club grandstand.

“I have majority ownership in him as well as training him, so it is very special.”

After an early duel for the lead with Adam Mcintosh’s Kisses for Gran, Duffman exited the first turn in front, then scooted away to a comfortable six-and-a-half-length win in 30.32 seconds. 

Kisses for Gran was second and Duffman’s litter brother Tsu’tey (trained by Tzouvelis) was third.

The wining time (30.32 seconds) eclipsed the previous race record of 30.33 seconds set in 2020 by Steven Scott’s Farmor Beach.

“I was so happy that he led,” Cutlack said after Duffman had secured a clean sweep in the Vince Curry, with victory in heat, semi-final and Final.

“I knew that he was good enough to win it, just the box (five) was the query.

“He hasn't had to negotiate a poor box so far, but he is just starting and they have to do it at some stage.

“The last young dog that we had that we thought was pretty good unfortunately broke down at its first start, so I have been nervous every time this dog has gone around. But, it definitely feels a little better now.

“I also was nervous because I have had a short, but deep history with this race. In the previous two years I have had finalists in both years. One fell and the other fought.

“Last year I joked that the only thing left for me was to win the race. And, we have.”

Cutlack said Duffman (from a Sh Avatar and She's Some Gal litter) was special in many ways, especially in his appearance and breeding to her ‘very special’ Showdown.

Litter sisters Showdown, Sunburst and Shaye (from a Sh Avatar and Sawadee litter) were sent north to Tzouvelis’ kennel and into the care of Cutlack in the middle of 2021, by NSW owner and breeders Sonia and Peter Davis.

All three blossomed under the young trainer and not only achieved a combined prize money tally of almost $500,000, but also confirmed Cutlack as not only hard-working, but also as a professional handler of the collar and lead.

“If you look at this boy his pedigree is almost exactly the same as Sunburst, Shaye and Showdown,” Cutlack said.

“I have a soft spot for those dogs and I picked him because he reminded me of Showdown. I was hoping that he might be half as good and I think I might have got lucky.”

Cutlack said Duffman would now be aimed at the Ipswich Auction Series, with the 431 metre Final on March 9 and the 520 metre version Final on April 13.

Tzouvelis said he was extremely proud of Cutlack and her achievements to date.

“Jedda had already proven herself as a good trainer in her own right,” Tzouvelis said.

“The satisfaction for me is that she owns this dog with a couple of friends.

“She was supposed to have one out of the first litter, but that didn’t work out. But, typical Jedda, she copped it on the chin, kept working hard and now has one out of the next litter. And, I believe this one, Duffman, is the star of the litter. He is the real deal.”

In fact it was Tzouvelis’ high opinion of the dog that convinced Cutlack to steer him towards the Vince Curry Maiden.

“I was going to start him in the QGOLD maiden novice series because you always have doubts over how good they really are,” Cutlack explained.

“But, Tom said he was good enough to win the Vince Curry. As it turned out he wasn't quite right to start in the QGOLD, which was a blessing in disguise.

“I was happy just to throw him in a maiden, but Tom said, ‘No don't be silly, I reckon he will be a good dog’. I am happy I listened to him.”