Lound’s Townsville Cup hope is now in line for Futurity crown

By Pat McLeod

Long-time Townsville trainer Rob Lound had Townsville Cup hopes in mind when he recently purchased handy performer Ferocious June, however he will be more than happy with a Townsville Futurity crown instead.

That will certainly be the target on Tuesday night when the Sulzanti – Saphoni chaser competes against a class field in the 498 metre all-bitches event at the Townsville Showgrounds track.

Lound purchased Ferocious June in August after the then Lisa Delbridge-trained dog had raced 27 times from Delbridge’s Victorian base.

“I was in the market for buying a dog and I saw her for sale and I liked what she had done down there,” Lound said. 

“I saw that she had success over the shorts and I had already decided that I would buy her and put her over 500 metres.

“I honestly think that she will be at her best over 600 metres. She is certainly bred to run 600 metres.

“But, the main reason I bought her was to aim her towards the Townsville Cup. She came fourth in her Cup heat, which I was happy enough with.

“It was far from a disgraceful run. She came out of box eight on that occasion and she has box eight again in Tuesday's Final.”

In nine starts so far for Lound Ferocious June has netted five wins. Her best time over the Townsville 498 metres is 28.70 seconds, which she recorded in her Futurity heat win.

“I was happy with her heat win and she has pulled up as good as gold from that,” Lound said.

“There are a number of threats in this race. The other heat winner, I'm A Neo (trained by Greta Thomson), is certainly a very handy bitch.

“I also think Brad Belford's Pretty Cindy, which is coming out of box one, is a major threat.

“She is fast and the one box will suit her right down to the ground. But, I certainly give my dog a good chance in this race.

“I am happy enough with the box draw for Tuesday’s race (box eight). With a little bit of luck she can cross them and I think she will be fine.”

Greta Thomson will be aiming for a Townsville Derby and Futurity double after securing the Derby crown with I’m A Neo’s litter brother, My Mate Neo, last week.

In other Queensland greyhound racing news, the excitement level towards next Sunday’s Capalaba Cup over 366 metres heats increased dramatically when Gary Mackay’s speedster Fernando Grand equalled the track record with a 19.22 second win in a best eight race at Capalaba on Sunday.

Fernando Grand won last year’s Capalaba Cup Consolation and Mackay said he was back to go one better this year.

The October 8 Capalaba Cup Final is worth $75,000 to the winner and has been moved up to Group 2 status.