Queen of Townsville goes out in style

By Jordan Gerrans

The ‘Queen of Townsville’ farewelled her racing campaign in North Queensland in perfect fashion on Tuesday evening as she set her sights on the feature Country Cup Final as well as further higher honours.

Plum Tuckered has been a revelation in the northern city over the last year and left many in her wake as she scorched the track.

In her last start at Townsville before returning to South East Queensland, the brindle bitch qualified for the upcoming Country Cup Final at Albion Park and set her second track record at the Showgrounds complex.  

The daughter of Fernando Bale already held the 380 metre Townsville record at 21.35 seconds, a mark she set late last year.

In a rare double, she recorded the fastest time ever run over 498 metres on Tuesday at 28.32 seconds.

In 30 starts at Townsville, the Danny Preh-prepared speedster collected 14 victories and 10 other minor placings.

She also claimed the Listed North Queensland Cup of 2023 and qualified for the Group 2 Townsville Cup Final, as well.

Kelso-based trainer Preh has developed a close bond with the star bitch and believes the hands-on affectionate approach he has used in his training methods has led to her blistering performances.

“It was exceptional,” Preh said of notching a second track record.

“She has been close to breaking the track record and for her to finish off her North Queensland campaign with that – holding both track records now – she is one special girl.

“It is going to be sad when she flies out, it is going to be really emotional for us up here. It is sad that she is going back but she was always going to go back as it was more of a change of scenery for her to come up here.

“It is harder on an emotional level the longer they stay.”

Plum Tuckered shot out of the boxes like a rocket on Tuesday night and put the race to bed in the early stages.

Zabdon Ferrari previously held the fastest mark over 498 metres at Townsville in 28.33 seconds, which was set in the 2016 Townsville Cup Final.

Preh says he had been working on her early speed from the boxes in recent weeks and was pleased to see her put it into practice when it mattered most.

The Fernando Bale and Crazy Bonnie chaser did her early racing for South East Queensland dog man Graham Hall.

She will transfer into the care of fellow SEQ conditioner Tony Apap following the Country Cup Final.

The Queensland Country Cup Final will be run over 520 metres at Albion Park on February 1, a program that will also include two Group 1 races.

Preh will travel south for the occasion and will handle his kennel favourite in the show-piece regional race.

Plum Tuckered – who is owned by SEQ-based connections - made the Listed QGOLD Emerging Sprinters Final at Albion Park in late May of last year when in the care of Hall. 

After all she has achieved in North Queensland, Preh believes Plum Tuckered deserves her shot on the big stage.

“She has to have a go,” the Townsville dog man said.

“It will all be about how she handles it down there as she is a dog that likes the attention and you could see that with how she was running up here. She has had numerous runs down there so she knows what she needs to do.

“She just had some much potential when she came up and she showed that running good times around Brisbane and Ipswich. She has that talent there so it’s about getting it out and keeping it going.”

Preh is hopeful his deeds with Plum Tuckered lead to more opportunities for his kennel to pick up more greyhounds from owners.

The team prepared a winning double on Tuesday night as kennel mate Angelic Zaphera broke her maiden status in 22.11 seconds over 380 metres.

The field for the Country Cup Final has been confirmed following qualifying series’ in Townsville, Rockhampton and Bundaberg.

A classy group of regional dogs will assemble in the city for the popular annual event but Preh thinks they will be running for second place.

“It will be no surprise if she beats this field,” Preh said.

“That is not me being cocky but this dog has serious talent. It is not just one race here or there, she just has natural ability.”

The field for the Country Cup Final at Albion Park on Thursday, February 1.

• Different Drum (Bundaberg) - Eric Conroy
• Dodgy Mick (Bundaberg) - Allen Kelly
• Miss Slimm (Bundaberg) - Allan Thrower
• Edgewood (Rockhampton) - Christine Pollard
• Farmor Casual (Rockhampton) - Steve Scott
• Who's Billy (Rockhampton) - Ken Boody
• Plum Tuckered (Townsville) - Danny Preh
• Barcia Beach (Townsville) - Mark Partland

Reserves

• Hidden Fury (Townsville) - Graham Thomson
• Balts Orson (Townsville) - Jay Schafer

The race will be box drawn at the Racing Queensland offices on Monday, January 29.