12:00a.m. 24th January 2008

| By Blythe Seinor

Don Knopke with one of the early favourites to win this year's great toad race at Coolum's Australia Day celebrations. Photo Warren Lynam

Will Somlyay’s Surprise topple Desperate Deborah?

Does Bob the Bruiser have more in the tank than Battling Bruce?

And is Kevin Sent really the top toad in the country?

All these questions and more will be answered on Australia Day when the biggest and meanest toads Don Knopke can find battle it out in the annual Coolum Cup Cane Toad Open Handicap.

Don has the unenviable task of handpicking the toads tomorrow night in the lead-up to the main race, organised by the Lions Club of Coolum Beach.

“I just go and get the biggest and toughest looking toads I can find, put them in a cool container and wait for the next day,” he said.

“I just catch them in the hands, I used to wear gloves but these days I don’t bother,” Don said.

Each toad has its own black saddle, and is named after a prominent community member.

Noosa mayor Bob Abbot was surprised but not offended to hear a toad had been named in his honour.

“Sixteen to one sounds like an outside chance, but a lot bigger outsiders have won before,” he said.

The toads will be auctioned at 2.30pm on Australia Day with the Cup to start at 2.55pm at Tickle Park.