The SR22 is OK for ab initio training. There have been schools (not in the UK) training ab initio in TB20s which has similar performance.
You don't need 1500hrs either. I went to a TB20 with 120hrs TT and it took me about 20hrs to get used to it. A decent instructor who went on a specialised course which explores the envelope (anybody can fly an SR22 conventionally) would be up to speed in a few weeks.