Nicholls waiting for an early sound of Thunder

By Pat McLeod

Warren Nicholls knows ‘Bonnie’ still has that one magical finish that will dissolve all the angst of her 56 runs to date.

The Churchable trainer is not complaining. The ride so far that Bonnie (track name Days Of Thunder) has given him has been more exhilarating than any roller coaster.

They have also been rewarding for Nicholls and owner Clint Gill. Those 56 starts have so far delivered 16 wins and 16 placings for a prize money haul of $206,345.

So, a success in anyone’s books. However, even after 56 starts, there is no hiding Nicholls’ frustration.

As all who have more than a passing interest in greyhound racing would know, Days Of Thunder has a ‘special’ race format that always gives connections a white-knuckle ride.

She is a distance specialist who drops back and then unleashes a blinding finish down the home straight.

“I have learned to accept the way she runs,” Nicholls said.

“Neither myself nor the owner are punters, so because of the way she runs she probably loses more than she wins.   

“I have had a great time with her and she has done wonderfully for us.”

Days Of Thunder returned to the track at Albion Park last Thursday after a four-month injury lay-off. Her race pattern hadn’t changed. She sizzled home to run third behind classy NSW visitor Nangar Rocket (trained by Dennis Barnes).

Nicholls believes she is back close to her best and will campaign her through this Brisbane winter carnival.

That ‘best’ exploded to the surface at the same carnival last year when she ran third in the Group 1 Queensland Cup over 710 metres, first in the Group 3 Origin Greyhound Series Distance and first in the Queensland Distance Championship. 

Her finishing bursts became a popular national must-see phenomenon.

On Wednesday at Albion Park Days of Thunder’s 2023 carnival proper starts with the heats of the prestigious Group 3 Dashing Corsair over 710 metres.

She will need to hit the ground running, with all three heats packed with staying powerhouses, as the rich carnival pickings attract the best from across the nation.

“I had one look and threw the form guide away,” Nicholls laughs. 

“I thought, ‘Damn, all the good ones are in my race.”

They aren’t. Yes, Bonnie will have to win through against the likes of Ritza Piper (Joseph Scerri), Cawbourne Magic (Anthony Lord), Dirt Farmer (Tim Britton) and local sparring partner Oh Oh Range (New Snow).

However, in other heats are the likes of Jeff Britton’s Korda, Anthony Lord’s Punter’s Bandit and Tiger Jack, Tim Britton’s Fast Milkman and Play Nice, Robert Britton’s First Picked and Dennis Barnes’ Nangar Rocket.

Despite the depth in quality that will remain through the carnival, Nicholls has belief, as well as that ever-existing frustration.

“She (Days of Thunder) is back where I want her,” he said.

“She has been trialling very good since the four months off, coming home in 12.80 seconds over 600 metres.

“So, it was probably time to pull the trigger and whether that was a week early or a week late, who knows. I think she still ran alright last week, considering she faced a bit of trouble in running. She did run out the race alright.

“She recovered well and so she is pretty close to where we want her."

Nicholls says she will be at her best after a couple of more runs, but we are not far from it.

“After four months away from the track I had forgotten how hard it was to watch that first lap. It was pretty painful," he said. 

“I am thinking, ‘When is she going to go?’

“However, I reckon there is a magical run still in her. I believe there is still something special in the tank, a desire to get there.

“Yes, there are some very good dogs here for the carnival, but I think she can upset any dog.

“She is no worse off than what she was at this time last year and she nearly knocked them then. In fact, I think she's even better. More mature.

“So yes, I do believe she can upset them.

“She needs an outside box where she can just tack on to them when she wants to.

“She is out of box seven on Wednesday. So, that will be interesting.”