Daley’s Hara’s Buddy claims state straight track title

By Pat McLeod

Trainers Tarquin Neal and Brent Kline are already planning their ‘winery program’ after Hara’s Buddy and Sheezel stormed through to the National Straight Track Championship Final in South Australia on August 24.

Hara’s Buddy, from the Jemma Daley and Neal kennel, and Sheezel (trained by Kline) fought out a tight state Final finish at Capalaba on Sunday with the Daley-trained dog claiming victory by a head in 19.50 seconds. 

In their wake, in third place, was the ‘King Of Capalaba’, Valhalla, who struck trouble early in the quality race to finish just under two lengths behind the winner.

The first two placed dogs go through to the National straight track decider at SA’s Murray Bridge track.

“Jemma and I are both over the moon with this win,” Neal said.

“Neither of us has experienced Nationals’ success before and so we are really happy. There was so much emotion after that win.

“We don’t race a lot at Capalaba and winning our first feature here is special.”

Neal explained that the Nationals were an accidental jackpot.

“Until recently the Nationals were not on our radar,” Neal said.

“We brought Hara’s Buddy here, just for a hit out, to give him a break away from Albion Park and Ipswich.

“He ran 19.47 seconds and straight after that race in the wash bay we made the decision to target this race (the State Straight Track Championship Final).

“He had won his novice here and went alright, but when we came back it was just to give him a hit out between runs on the circle.

“This is our first runner in the Nationals. In previous years we have prepared runners to go to the Townsville Cup and so avoided the Nationals for that reason.”

Neal said the Equalizer and Hara's Penny chaser, whose record is now 10 wins and five placings from 21 starts for $35,070 in prize money, would return to circle racing after the Nationals.

“We'll definitely go back to the circle after this,” Neal said.

“He is a really nice dog with a big motor. We have had a big opinion of him from day one. He does everything right and he's a really exciting dog.

“He's probably the quickest dog that we've ever trialled at Ipswich and Albion and we have had some nice dogs. But, so far he hasn’t had a lot of luck, drawing wide or suffering interference.

“We're waiting for that one time when everything goes his way to show what he really can do. This next step, off to the Nationals at Murray Bridge is exciting.”

Neal said that he would most likely take Hara’s Buddy to the National Straight Track Championship at Murray Bridge.

“Jemma and I have had a quick discussion about it and it looks like it will be me going,” Neal said.

“We just have to work out the logistics of looking after the other dogs. We have got great staff at home (at their Park Ridge South kennels).

“For example, they stepped up so that Jemma and I could be here for the state Final. We really can't thank them enough. They are part of this team. Our success is certainly their success.”

Daley confirmed that a straight track title may not be the only appeal in Neal’s Nationals trip.

“I am pretty sure Brent and Tarquin will already be planning their winery program,” Daley said of South Australia’s internationally renowned wine industry.

That sentiment was confirmed by Kline.

“We will be talking to the mother-in-law and hopefully she can look after our two children so my wife (Michelle) and I can make a holiday out of it,” Kline said.

“We have earned it.”

On the racing front, Kline, based at Karalee, was rapt with his second place on Sunday and the ticket to a Nationals Final.

“That was an incredible run by my dog,” Kline said.

“This race wasn’t part of our program a month ago, then week after week he just kept getting better and better. Then everything just started to align and now he's got a ticket to the Nationals in South Australia and I am so stoked for him.”

Kline said that his mental picture of how the race would pan out came to fruition.

“Just how I thought the race would be run is what happened,” Kline explained.

“Jemma’s dog was super impressive last week, as straight as an arrow from box seven. Although we drew well (box five), her dog is in good form and has got a lot of talent.

“To be going down to South Australia and sharing the track with her dog is a big thrill. But, I don't really go down there with confidence.

“Sheezel wasn't good enough to win, so then throw another six quality dogs in the mix on a track that he has never been to, with a different lure and just one (trial) look at the track. But, he will always give his best and we will enjoy the experience.”