By Jordan Gerrans
The Parker kennel know the day is coming but they have their collective fingers crossed it might not be for a few weeks yet.
The father-and-son training team of Henry - who goes by Merv - and Tony Parker prepare one of the more exciting young dogs to come out of North Queensland in recent times - Senor Yogi.
Senor Yogi has an unblemished career record so far, registering seven straight victories around the Townsville Showgrounds complex.
That undefeated mark goes on the line this Tuesday evening when the black dog steps out in the third event of the program over 380 metres.
“It is only a matter of time before he gets beaten but you just hope every week it is not the week it happens,” Tony said.
The son of Group 1 champion El Grand Senor has been a short-course specialist in the early stages of his young career, winning all of his race efforts over the 380 metre journey.
At 83 years of age, Merv is savouring the experience with the exciting young chaser.
The family have raced top NQ dog Paulie Walnuts – including making the Listed North Queensland Cup Final – and declare Senor Yogi is unlikely to reach Paulie Walnuts’ level any time soon.
But, they are enjoying the ride with the emerging greyhound.
“He is going real good and we are really happy with him,” Merv said.
“He just gets out on his own in his races.
“We will play it by ear and get him through the grades as he goes.”
Merv is listed as the trainer in the race book and makes all the decisions around the dogs preparation while son Tony does all the physical work in the kennel and takes the team to the track to race.
In winning seven on the bounce, it is Senor Yogi’s opening section of his races that sets him apart from the rest.
He has a career best 7.29 second opening split, which came at his last start at Townsville, and culminated in the fastest time he has ever posted - 21.57 seconds.
“It is not so much out of the boxes but when he hits the ground, his acceleration is huge,” Tony said.
“He is very close to the fastest first split ever run at Townsville.
“We know a dog has gone equally as quick as him in that first split but we were not sure if anyone had gone quicker, we were only talking about it at the track the other night.
“What he is running is pretty sharp and his acceleration is pretty exceptional.
“You do not find many that hit the ground like he does, he just is a hard chaser.”
The Parkers purchased Senor Yogi and his litter brother Senor Brumby from a friend of Merv's in NSW.
At first Tony was not sure about making the purchase but he is glad his father made the decision now.