Comedy Act is ready to perform on centre stage

By Pat McLeod

Ipswich trainer Mick Johnston believes his kennel star, Comedy Act, is ready for the Thursday night Albion Park centre stage.

The proven speedster will debut at Queensland greyhound racing headquarters’ main race night this Thursday over 520 metres in the seventh event on the card. 

“We think it is time and we think he is ready for Albion Park on a Thursday night,” Johnston said.

“I believe he is a highly talented individual. His kennel manners let him down a bit, but he definitely has learned how to race. Now we are just trying to place him as well as we can.

“I would not say that he is fluent with Albion Park just yet, but he has had enough looks at the track to know his way around there.

“He did the job well enough winning first-up there on a Monday night (August 5 in 30.36 seconds), but I think he will need a faster time than that this time around.

“We think he can improve on that time. Hopefully one day he will prove that he is a sub-30 second dog at Albion Park.”

Comedy Act’s statistical sheet so far reads 18 starts for seven wins and four seconds for prize money of $31,730.

He may not have any big race scalps on his record to date, but he has excited greyhound enthusiasts with displays of rare speed for a youngster in flagship Ipswich race series.

In the heats of both the Vince Curry Memorial Maiden over 520 metres and the Golden Chase over 431 metres he won in blistering displays.

Comedy Act continued to campaign well at Ipswich before being struck down by a mystery ailment after finishing unplaced in The Golden Chase Final over 520 metres at Ipswich on April 13.

“He got quite sick after that big Final,” Johnston said.

“He got bitten by something and we are not sure what that was, but he was very sick. It floored him for a few weeks.

“We nursed him and brought him along slowly and just looked after him. That has already paid dividends because he has won his last three and we are excited about the future.

“Initially, after he had been sick, we went to Capalaba for a throw at the stumps there, but he just didn't like it there.”

Johnston said Comedy Act is well boxed coming out of the two on Thursday night, but is in for a tough test against some very quick dogs.

“It is a good field,” Johnston said.

“Claude Dacey’s dog (Daysea’s Rowdy) is a smart dog. He has been a tremendous dog for Claude.

“Zephyr (Gerald Corrigan) is a highly talented dog. There are not too many that run 30.22 seconds at Ipswich.

“Comedy Act is still building back up after that illness and hopefully he will show that on Thursday night. He will have to against this field.

“He is a leader dog. If he can get to the front then they have to get around him.

“We would like to see him get a bit stronger at the end of his 520 metres, but we believe that will come.”

Johnston said dogs with natural speed and ability, such as Comedy Act, presented an interesting challenge for trainers to fully tap that potential.

“A dog like Comedy Act certainly tests you as a trainer,” Johnston said.

“He tests your ability and makes you think about what you are doing, especially when he has a few quirks in the kennels. So, we have had to learn how to best manage that.

“But, we are very grateful to have him as part of the family. There is no doubt he can run. It is our job to make sure he is fit and well enough to deliver on that.”