Plummer out to surprise despite Young Guns injury blow

By Pat McLeod

There was a sinking feeling of déjà vu for Hervey Bay trainer David Plummer as the very smart Roger Ring took out the opening heat of the Bundaberg Young Guns (460m) early this week.

Not even the second heat win to another of his young stars, Classy Nebo, could completely douse his disappointment.

Plummer could see that his dog’s gait had changed just before the final turn at the Bundaberg grass track.

And his fears have since been confirmed – Roger Ring had torn a hamstring and will be a very unlikely starter in this Monday’s final.

“I was very surprised that Roger Ring actually went on to even finish the race and to run 26.20 was fantastic,” Plummer said.

“You could tell by looking at the race when he hurt himself because his stride changed. He then really put in over his last few strides because the second dog was catching up and of course that didn't help things at all as far as his injury went.

“I am working on him and there could be a miracle, but the likely scenario is that he will be scratched Sunday morning and will probably be out for at least a month.”

For Plummer, this circumstance is a frustrating return to last year’s Bundaberg Young Guns.

Back then, he won a heat with Garfunkel. But in the final that dog was injured in almost the same spot as Roger Ring came to grief.

Despite the injury, he went on to run second.

“So, yes, a bit like last year,” he said.

“It is disappointing that Roger Ring was injured because I thought he was the class dog out of both fields. But, of course that is my opinion.

“He is the one that had been running time and a few starts back he even gave (Bundaberg Cup winner) Springview Magic a run for his money.

“He can motor around there, but that is probably irrelevant now.”

What is relevant is that his other heat winner Classy Nebo can be a surprise package.

“Yes, that win by Classy Nebo was a big surprise,” Plummer said.

“He is a hit and miss kind of pup and certainly does not stop surprising me. He is the type of dog that possibly can do something special, and I hope that is the case next Monday.

“He has run 26.36 twice at Bundaberg. So, he can do it.

“We have been doing a lot of box work with him because he just wasn't coming out. But he did come out last week, which was surprising, but good.

“If he does jump well he will be in the mix, but there are some good dogs in this race, some handy youngsters. He will be competitive.

“As long as he puts in, I will be happy.

“It is a dog race. Just because you have the best dog doesn't mean that dog will win. Anything can happen.”

Plummer said there were winning chances in the Young Guns final coming from most boxes.

“You have Ken Boody’s dog Sir Banjo, who is quite smart. It missed the first turn in the heat and will be a lot better for that run.

“Ken sends dogs down to this track for a reason – they will go well. And of course Tommy Lowe has several dogs in the final, who will all threaten.”

Plummer, 58, had his own real estate office in Hervey Bay and retired about five years ago.

That coincided with a transition from greyhound owner to trainer.

Since 2018, he has annually continued to increase his number of starters.

He has five dogs in work at the moment. That will increase to eight with the inclusion of three pups to his kennels (two from a Shima Shine litter and the other a My Redeemer pup), who should be racing in a few months.

“I am still enjoying the sport. My wife wants to travel, so we will have to come to a compromise,” he said.