Tough As Teak's Stunning Racetrack Debut

SUNDAY'S star-studded Capalaba program was meant to be all about the big guns on show in six heats of the rich Capalaba Cup series.

But it was the performance of a first start maiden that assumed the spotlight after the Darren Russell-trained Tough As Teak rocketed to an eight and-a-half length victory in a remarkable best of meeting 19.61.

"I trialled him there for the first time on the Monday and he went the best, 1/100th faster than Made In America, so I knew he'd gone alright," declared Russell with a wry smile.

A son of Cosmic Rumble and Larsie Lou, the 20-month old Tough As Teak takes a decided time advantage into Sunday's Bob Vernon Memorial Maiden Final (366m) where he's expected to start unbackable odds.

"You could say this race was a bit of an afterthought," Russell said.

"We knew he'd been named but we hadn't received his papers so after he trialled what he did on the Monday I got a friend to get his papers from QRIC on Tuesday and I took him to Albion Park on Wednesday to get cleared so I could nominate Thursday. You could say I was keen to get him in!"

And while his exhilarating Capalaba performance holds the prodigious talent in good stead for future outings, his group 1 winning trainer declared the boom youngster equally adept on the circle.

"He was broken in at Cudal and was going that good he didn't have his last run," Russell said.

"I had the virus earlier in the year through the kennel and was working the pups and race dogs separately. But this pup was trialling with the race dogs right from the start. And running comparable times to the race dogs as well; he's shown he's above average right from the start everywhere I've taken him."

And while only the uncertainty of racing looks to stand between the flashy fawn dog and victory this Sunday, Russell is remaining cautiously optimistic.

"Young dogs up the straight can shoot around like wild cowboys," Russell said.

"He went 4.05 to the second split on Sunday and the record is 4.02. It's hard to say he'll improve … I mean how fast can you go? It's just a matter of getting clear running.

"After Sunday I won't be in any rush with him. I'll just take it slow and let him find his feet. He's doing all the right things and giving all the right signs which is what you want to see from the young ones.

"I've had a pretty quiet start to 2020 but I've got some really nice ones not far away."

And while the arrival of Tough As Teak has Russell excited about what lies ahead, the Innisplain conditioner has recently called time on the career of his group 1 winner Bago Bye Bye.

"Yep, he's retired," Russell said.

"The hock injury flared up again so we made the call. I think the plan is to stand him at stud. I've got no doubt he'll throw a fast pup and I wouldn't hesitate using him."