Shinners In Awe Of WA Derby Hopeful

BEING involved with elite greyhounds is nothing new to WA mentor Steve Shinners.

You could rattle off a list as long as your arm.

But even he admits to there being something extra special about WA Derby prospect Catch The Thief following the star Victorian's ultra-impressive Cannington debut on Saturday night.

"I've had some good dogs over the years but this fella gives you the feeling he's something special … he's a jet," declared Shinners.

FIELDS, FORM, BEST PRICES

Overseeing the son of Aussie Infrared's preparations while in Western Australia for the group 2 age restricted feature, Shinners expects the prodigious talent to take significant improvement from his first up Cannington success on Saturday night.

"He's absolutely thriving," Shinners added.

"With the extra week here he's settled into our routine perfectly. The trip over here and the experience being away from home will see this dog mature right up when he heads home. He's already run 29.20 at Sandown so it's frightening to think what he might do in a few months' time."  

Winner at nine of his 16 appearances for Matthew Clark, including a mind-boggling 29.21 Sandown Park victory in March, Catch The Thief couldn't have been more impressive at his Cannington debut at the weekend, overcoming a slow getaway before staving off a late challenge from Sir Monty in a best of meeting 29.76.

"He missed it away a length and a half I reckon but still led and ran 18.30 up the back," enthused Shinners.

"The red on Saturday night probably isn't ideal as he races a few dogs off the fence but if he begins he can run 5.35 early and I'd say 18.15 up the back.

"I gave him a post-to-post when he got here and I like to think I'm a pretty good judge at guessing what time they run. Watching him I thought he'd run 24.30-40 which I would have been happy enough with but he went 24.12.

"There's only a couple of dogs that have broken 24 and I've got no doubt he would next time."

Installed a red hot $1.50 favourite for the first of three Brittons Formal Wear Derby heats at Cannington on Saturday night, Catch The Thief is again pitted up against the Chris Halse-trained Sir Monty, the son of Fernando Bale, quoted $5.50 in betting, drawn precariously in box seven.

But in an interesting and not surprising twist, another of the star sprinter's combatants is new kennelmate, the Steve and Krystal Shinners-trained Buster The Brute.

"Matty and I decided to leave Catch The Thief in his name for the series so I was just hoping he and Buster would miss each other in the heats – but of course Murphy's Law kicked in and they didn't," added Shinners.

"Hopefully Buster can qualify for the final … he's a 29.80 odd dog around Cannington and will need luck from out there in eight. The other dog's on a different level to him but like always he'll be doing his best."

And while Saturday night's heats serve up some fabulous racing, one can't help but take a peak at what next week's $32,000 to-the-winner finale might look like, with some hugely capable youngsters taking their place.

With the likes of Catch The Thief, Amarillo Highway and Sir Monty drawn in the first heat, the second qualifier is equally absorbing, featuring the three-way clash between Tommy Shelby, Fernando Star and Zack Monelli.

The third and final qualifier isn't too shabby either, featuring Glenn Rounds' hugely talented Aeroplane Eric along with top locals Redcap Monelli and Cindy's Oliver.

"Last year's Derby was a bit softer than most; we finished second in it with It's A Storm to Premium Share," Shinners recalled.

"But this year's fields are about as good as you'd see. Whoever wins it will definitely have earned it."