Blue Art has a golden opportunity to preview the future

By Pat McLeod

Robert Ayres returned this week from a six day family holiday to Papua New Guinea, a bit worn out and with the flu.

And, things are about to get tougher.

On Sunday his promising youngster, Blue Art, is pitted against one of Australia’s best straight track speedsters, Valhalla, and his very slick kennel mate That’s Hot, as part of a QGOLD double-header at Capalaba.

Valhalla (trained by Tom Tzouvelis) and That’s Hot (Jedda Cutlack) were the two heat winners for dogs last Sunday at the 366 metre straight track.

There were also three QGOLD heats for bitches.

Both Finals will be held this Sunday with $15,400 in prize money on offer for each.

Blue Art, just 20 months old, finished second by half-a-length to That’s Hot in the heats in a 19.54 second personal best. 

While Ayres understands the enormity of Sunday’s task, he does see opportunity.

“Valhalla and That's Hot are the fastest dogs in the field, but mine is the big improver,” Ayres says.

“This dog keeps raising the bar. He can run. Head-to-head he can't beat Valhalla, I agree. But, this is a dog race and it could be interesting.

“You have some dogs within the inside four who want to go out and others on the outside who want to come in."

Ayres, who is based north of Brisbane at the scenic Glass House Mountains, is rapt with the ‘old head’ on his young dog’s shoulders.

“For a 20-month-old pup, he just keeps improving,” Ayres says. 

“At his first trial at Capalaba I believe he ran 20.23 seconds. His first start there he ran second and then he won the next two."

In fact, Blue Art has not been unplaced in nine starts at Capalaba.

“Also, if you have a look at his times, they continue to come down at Capalaba, including his last run there, which was his personal best," Ayres said. 

“He has improved so much, and in fact the whole (Tommy Shelby and Boscono) litter has improved.

“Put it this way, I believe he is doing things now that other very good dogs weren’t doing at this stage of their career. Blue Art is a great kennel dog and just keeps doing everything right.

“He is just like an old campaigner. He doesn't knock himself around - an old head on young shoulders.”

Ayres said he would continue to race Blue Art at Capalaba through the upcoming rich Cup series.

Heats are on September 29 and the $75,000-to-the-winner Final will be held on October 6.

“The dog is bred to run further, but he is going so well at Capalaba so I will leave him there for a while,” Ayres says.

“At the moment he is very slow out on the circle and seems to get lost there.

“I believe he will be much better suited on the big one-turn track that is coming up at The Q. He has ability and has a future.”

Ayres says he has five dogs in work, either racing, or about to race.

“I am still enjoying greyhound racing, just getting old,” the 73-year-old said.