Back to basics for Jemma Daley

By Alex Nolan

Kurwongbah trainer Jemma Daley is going back to basics with talented but troublesome pup Where’s The Bar, who will look to get his career back on track at Capalaba on Sunday.

Where’s The Bar kicked off his career with a dominant win in a heat of the Dave Brett Memorial Maiden series over 520m at Albion Park and was sent out a $2.15 favourite for the Final.

That was when the trouble began for the 22-month-old by Out Of Range.

Where’s The Bar nearly summersaulted in the boxes and cost himself any winning chance in the race eventually won by Tungsten Miss.

“He hit his head and he hasn’t forgotten it,” Daley said.

“I am hoping a couple of starts down the straight will help him get down in the boxes.

“It has worked for a couple of other dogs…having the lure out in front of them makes the big difference.”

Where’s The Bar has been mixing it with some of the best young greyhounds in the state throughout his four-start career, running into Tungsten Miss twice and last-start going down to the Tony Brett-trained Milligan.

Daley hopes Where’s The Bar’s ability alone can take him a long way when he jumps from box two in the Novice over 366m, which comes up as race three on the card.

“He’s trialled there and goes all right up the straight,” she said.

“I’m pretty confident he can get the job done (on Sunday).

“On his day I’ve got no doubt he’s a very good dog.

“He’s just very young, immature and taking every possible avenue to annoy me at the moment.”

Where’s The Bar’s litter sister Where’s The Moon broke through for her maiden win at Ipswich on Friday but Daley said she too has had some maturity issues.

“They’re from a litter that broke in with outstanding reports, they’ve just got bad traits,” she said.

Daley will take four dogs to Ipswich on Saturday and was busy working her team in the morning, but the former jockey and trackwork rider was keeping a close eye on yesterday’s Magic Millions action from the Gold Coast.

She learned to ride at Ian Livingstone’s neighbouring Kurwongbah property, where Sharryn Livingstone now trains Magic Millions 2YO Classic runner, Thelwell.

“Sharryn’s son Jak has been helping me out with the dogs because it’s pretty full-on at the moment…he’s been a big help,” Daley said.

Daley gave riding work away about 18 months ago due to injuries but keeps in touch with trainers, including Tony Gollan who has taken shares in some pups.