Townsville track record in danger in the QGOLD Final

By Jordan Gerrans

Trainer Danny Preh has no doubt his kennel star Plum Tuckered has a track record-breaking performance in her arsenal.

And, he is optimistic it might just come in next Tuesday’s QGOLD Final at Townsville’s Showgrounds track.

The Fernando Bale and Crazy Bonnie chaser has been a revelation since relocating to North Queensland after doing her early racing for South East Queensland dog man Graham Hall.

The brindle bitch went close to setting a new 380 metre track record two starts back when she scored in 21.40 seconds.

On that occasion, she was not the quickest out of the boxes but made her presence felt late on as she stormed home.

The Tony Parker-prepared Senor Yogi currently holds the fastest time ever clocked at the distance at Townsville, as he went 21.38 seconds on September 12 of this year.

The Kelso-based Preh and Plum Tuckered won through to the upcoming QGOLD Final by finishing third in Tuesday evening’s heat.

Preh thinks that if Plum Tuckered can draw wide when the alleys are released on Friday, then the track record is in serious danger.

“She is a freak,” Preh said.

“If she can jump, she has a really good chance of breaking that track record. She has so much potential and is just trying her heart out for us. She never gives up, she just keeps going.”

Preh prepares a small kennel of dogs and has four in work at the moment.

He thinks the brindle bitch would already own the speediest time ever recorded around the Townsville track if Plum Tuckered was faster out of the boxes.

That is why he is aiming to have a wide draw – like box seven or eight - for the $7,000-to-the-winner Final.

Preh says that if Plum Tuckered can have a clear run without any interference, she can better the 21.38 second milestone.

It would be the second time a Preh-trained greyhound held the fastest 380 metre time at the track if she could achieve the goal.

The now retired Tipsy Four stopped the clock in 21.42 seconds in late 2020 to hold the 380 metre title at the time.

In 14 starts since heading to North Queensland, Plum Tuckered has collected four victories and been placed on eight other occasions.

She qualified for the Group 2 Townsville Cup in just her second effort in the area, where she finished sixth.

The Cup was run over the 498 metre trip.

She has found her best form over the shorter 380 metre journey.

Plum Tuckered made the Listed QGOLD Emerging Sprinters Final at Albion Park in late May of this year when in the care of Hall. 

Preh thinks the bitch is loving her new home in NQ.

“We knew what we had in her but she is one of those dogs that you just need to get into their head,” the trainer said.

“She just loves praise and all the one-on-one time you can give her. She wants to make us happy.

“We knew she had the ability and I told that to the fellas when they sent her up. It was about the change of scenery. She is thriving up here.”

Plum Tuckered finished a length behind heat winner Pacific Holly on Tuesday night.

Preh – who has been training dogs for around six years - was pleased with the effort.

“She should not have even ran third,” he said.

“She ran into trouble the whole time but she tried to find a way through the pack. To run third, only beaten just over a length, that is a big run.”

The Parker-trained Pacific Holly won the heat in 21.90 seconds.

Pacific Holly’s kennel mate She’s Some Fox was too strong in the second QGOLD heat, posting the fastest time of the series in 21.84 seconds.

She’s Some Fox's 21.84 second run was the best of the night from Townsville on Tuesday. 

Bobbie-Jean Chaffey and Rhonda Essery both prepared winning doubles across the 12 event program.