Ardle is right on ‘Q’ for another golden performance in Townsville

By Pat McLeod

These days, North Queensland trainer Heath Ardle is known simply as ‘Q’.

No, it’s nothing to do with the famous James Bond character in charge of technical wizardry.

Ardle has earned the moniker for his incredible success in the lucrative QGOLD concept.

Since the QGOLD series, for Queensland-bred greyhounds, first came to the Townsville track in 2023, Ardle has won three of its four episodes.

On Tuesday night he is strongly favoured to make it four from five with Jimmy Roo, who will jump from box two in the $15,400 QGOLD Final over 498 metres.

Ardle might find his new nickname amusing, but says the QGOLD format is no joke.

“It is a great incentive for people from all parts of the industry in Queensland,” Ardle said.

“If you are buying a greyhound for yourself and are looking at a couple that are similarly bred, then why wouldn't you buy Queensland bred?"

Ardle has won QGOLD races so far with Mali’s Gonzales, Mali’s Red Hot and on February 20 with Jimmy Roo over the 380 metre journey at Townsville.

“I think I have missed out on just one of the Q races and, from memory, I think Brad Belford won that one,” Ardle recalls.

Although he says he never goes into races boasting confidence, he does have a high opinion of Jimmy Roo (26 starts for 13 wins, nine placings and $40,560 in prize money).

“As long as he jumps, we should be right,” Ardle says of his kennel star.

“It all comes down to getting around that first corner.”

Ardle has had a long association with the Orson Allen and Kisses For Cloda chaser, but only recently as the dog’s owner.

“Jimmy Roo is a very good dog and I am lucky to have him,” he says.

“(High profile South East Queensland trainer, owner and breeder) Tony Apap owned the dog to start with and sent him up to me to train.

“He had a bit of trouble with one of his toes and so he went back to Tony. I rang Tony and said that there were a few good races coming up for him and would he be interested in sending him up again.

“After some discussion I asked him would he be interested in selling the dog to me. I gave him a figure and he came back to me about an hour later and said ‘yes’.”

So, since resuming his racing career in Townsville on February 13 this year, Jimmy Roo has been owned and trained by Ardle.

In the five starts since, he has posted three wins, including the February 20 QGOLD win.

Interestingly, on Tuesday night Ardle regards Mark Partland’s Haytown’s Trio (box three), as one of the biggest dangers in the race.

Haytown’s Trio is actually in Ardle’s kennel in the lead-up to the race while Partland attends his father’s funeral in Wollongong.

“If Haytown’s Trio gets out in front she will be hard to run down,” Ardle said.

“That is just how she is. She can run the hands off the clock, but it just depends if she is out in front and has a clear run.”

Partland agrees.

“She is a nice little bitch, but is very small,” Partland said.

“She hasn’t had many starts over 498 metres and the key to her is that she has to get out.

“I would like to be out in front and give them something to chase. She is still maturing and getting stronger.”

Partland said he couldn’t have his bitch in better hands while away.

“Yes, we call Heath ‘Q’,” Partland confirmed with a laugh.

“He is the Bart Cummings of the ‘Q Cup’.

“The dog is staying with Heath and on the night will be handled by ‘Mr Magic’ Harold Hovi."

Veteran North Queensland trainer Harold Hovi has earned the tag ‘The Magic Man’ because of his ability to bring out the best in his chasers.

“So, I am hoping that between ‘Q’ and ‘Magic Man’ they can get my dog across the line on Tuesday night," Partland said. 

Successful Townsville trainer Brad Belford has three runners in the QGOLD Final with Ardle pointing to Salah’s Goal (box seven) as the biggest threat.