The timing is right for Corrigan’s distance dream

By Pat McLeod

There’s a timely storyline emerging for John Corrigan’s exciting speedster Uno Nangar.

The classy bitch resumes at Albion Park on Thursday night in a fifth grade heat over 520 metres after a month on the sidelines following the Group 2 Bogie Leigh Futurity Final on January 2.

Corrigan, her trainer and long-time Grafton club president, is reluctant to put any weight of expectation on his best-ever dog.

However, reading between the lines, he does have a ‘distant’ dream.

The respected industry figure has no doubt Uno Nangar will get more ground than the 520 metres she has excelled over.

“I believe she will run a strong 600 metres,” Corrigan says.

“She just loves to gallop."

Dennis Barnes - Corrigan's good mate, successful trainer and the dog’s breeder - also is certain she will cover more ground.

"Her whole breed does," Corrigan said. 

“He also says her best racing is in front of her, with that breed doing their best racing from 27-30 months.”

Uno Nangar is 27 months old and has had 20 starts for 11 wins and four placings for prizemoney of $81,470.

And, this is where timing kicks in.

As Uno Nangar nears her best racing age, Corrigan will no doubt step her up to 600 metres, just as racing winds down at Albion Park and moves to spectacular facilities at The Q.

In an interesting twist, back on November 26, 1992, the Corrigan-trained Doppler won the last distance feature at the Gabba track over 704 metres.

Corrigan laughs at the possible coincidence of his current speedster winning the last distance feature at Albion Park.

But, then also gives a quizzical nod - anything is possible.

Corrigan also allows his mind to track towards another distance scenario.

“Gone are the days when I would dream and plot to win major races,” Corrigan says.

“Now I just love watching my dogs race and just hope for them to get around safely, win or lose.

“But, I have to admit, I would love her to win the stayers race (660 metres) which is one of the major features of the Grafton winter carnival.

“That would be very nice. Over all these years I have never had a runner in that race, so to have a dog of her quality in that race would be great.”

Corrigan says Uno Nangar could have returned to racing a little earlier, but the longer break had been good for her and him.

“She had been in work for quite a while, so the break has done her the world of good,” he explains.

“Also, I haven’t missed the four-hour drive up to Albion. We have both had a good rest.

“But, she is ready to go now. She has been trialing and is as good as ever.”

Corrigan also used the time off to do some box work with the Primo Uno and Nangar Diva chaser.

In two major events, including the Futurity, Uno Nangar, has missed the start badly.

“She gets very excited, a bit like her owner,” he quips.

“She is a mad chaser and sometimes is just too keen.”

On Thursday night Uno Nangar will jump from box seven for the first time.

“I don’t see an issue with that,” Corrigan says.

“She has won from the eight. She goes straight from box rise, so as long as they leave her alone, she will be fine.”