Lucky Hero Primed For Group 3 Gold Sands Tilt

JOHN Catton is primarily known for the marvellous job he does as president of the progressive Capalaba Greyhound Club.

But the veteran dog man is far more than a top administrator. Catton also has a number of dogs in work, including recent acquisition Lucky Hero which lines up in Thursday night's heats of the  Group 3 Gold Sands at Albion Park.

"I had a client looking to buy into a young stayer and we heard that John and Minnie Finn had one for sale and what better kennel to go to with their staying pedigree," Catton said.

"We wanted a young dog that had a bit of exposed form and he fit the bill perfectly. Sixteen race starts under the age of two and he came to us off two dominant victories over the 618m at Richmond."

Lucky Hero's last race start in New South Wales was a nine-length win just before Christmas and in the space of a couple of weeks he was up in Queensland competing in Ipswich's Corporate Dollar series.

"It was a pretty short turn around going into the Corporate Dollars at Ipswich; he hadn't had much of a chance to settle in," Catton explained.

"We didn't go in with too much expectation. He'd never seen the track before and it showed when he bombed the start by five lengths, but to see him run through an entire field and get up confirmed we had something a bit special with him."

Still underdone, Catton doesn't give Lucky Hero a huge chance of winning his Gold Sands heat on Thursday night but is confident if he continues to improve, he's a strong chasing of placings going into next week's final.

"It's the same sort of deal for him in the Golden Sands as it was at Ipswich – not much expectation. But we're hopeful he can finish in the top four, off a short preparation if he was to progress he'd be fitter and stronger next week," he said.

"He's obviously not of the class or experience of a Bago Bye Bye or Ash Star who he tackles in his heat, but he doesn't know that."

While Lucky Hero is more than capable of winning over the sprint trip, he was purchased to stay and Catton is looking forward to what the future has in store.

"He has decent box manners on his day and will be a very strong 520 metre dog, it's clear already he wants further, hence the quick step up," he said.

"He's not two until next month and is far from the finished product, over the next period we'll look to progress him through his fifth grade 600s until we think he's ready to tackle the big boys."

While Catton has been away, fellow trainer Terry Priest, full of praise for the caretaker trainer.

"I have to give a massive thanks to Terry Priest who's been taking care of him while I've been away," Catton said.

"It's no easy task taking a young dog into a new environment and he's made him feel right at home from the start and tells me he's in tip top condition for Thursday's assignment."