Caption: The Merv Parker-owned Paulie Walnuts (Photo: Box 1 Photography)
By MIKE HILL
WHISPERS are strong that two of the fastest sprinters in North Queensland – Redemption Day and Paulie Walnuts – are primed and ready for comeback assaults in this month’s $25,000 Listed Townsville Wildcard (498m).
Victory in the $15,000-to-the-winner series guarantees automatic entry into next month’s $60,000 Group 3 Townville Cup Final (498m).
Talented speedster Redemption Day is back with owner-trainer Harold Hovi after a stint with leading Central Queensland conditioner Darren Taylor and has come up with the coveted box one in the second of three Wildcard heats next Tuesday night, August 16.
The black sprinter, with a 7-2-2 record from just 14 starts, has been plagued by a series of injuries but Hovi believes he has the sprinter back near his best.
The son of My Redemption and Fancy Dancer held the Townsville 380m record of 21.42s with his litter brother Excuse Me Jack and Tipsy Four before Paulie Walnuts produced a flying 21.41s in early January and then equalled the mark in June.
At the time his then trainer Tony Parker said: “We know ‘Paulie’ can run fast. He’s run 21.33s in a trial over the distance.”
The Merv Parker-owned Paulie Walnuts has had a recent change of kennels.
The smart speedster, who hasn’t raced for eight weeks, has joined the powerful Brad Belford kennels at Gumlow and will jump from box two in the third Wildcard heat.
Paulie Walnuts (Fernando Bale-Flyrite) has an impressive record of 14 wins and four placings from 24 starts, including a 30.35s victory over 520m at Albion Park.
He also has a 28.48s run to his credit over the Townsville 498m trip.
Rumours coming out of Townsville suggest both Redemption Day and Paulie Walnuts have been highly impressive in recent trials.
Redemption Day has virtually lost 12 months of racing after suffering a nasty gash under the shoulder when taken out by a rival runner in a catching pen incident in early August last year.
The talented chaser had just blitzed his rivals by 10 lengths, running a sensational 28.42s (record 28.33s) at his first attempt over the 498m trip.
“It was in a bad spot and they couldn’t stitch it,” Hovi said at the time.
Redemption Day was off the scene for four months and returned to racing in December with three placings at Townville, although his times were well below his best.
Hovi sent the sprinter to Taylor in January ‘for a change of scenery’, winning first-up over 510m at Rockhampton in moderate time.
However, more injuries and three failures at Bundaberg had the dog back with Hovi in mid-May.
“It’s been a slow process since,” the trainer said. “I think I have now got on top of his injuries.
“He’s been back in work a few months, mainly on the walker.
“And I’ve given him a slip and a trial in recent weeks.
“I’m taking it day-by-day at the moment … just keeping him fit and happy.
“I’m extremely pleased with his progress … it’s taken a long time to get him back to where he is.”
Asked if Redemption Day is back to his best, the trainer replied: “He’s not far from it.”
Hovi, based at Gumlu between Ayr and Bowen, is happy for Redemption Day to go into the Wildcard series (final August 23) fresh.
“I was considering running him this week but I decided against that,” he said.
It will be the talented chaser’s first race start in three months.
Meanwhile, Rhonda Essery’s outstanding sprinter Stratford is also on the comeback trail after an injury setback.
With a 35-19-16 record from 100 starts and earnings topping $101,000, Stratford will jump from box four in heat three.
The Fernando Bale-Jingjing dog hasn’t raced since early June when third over 431m at Ipswich.
Super consistent sprinter Wink At Me, prepared by Ken Boody at Dalma, looks the one to beat in the opening heat.
Drawn in box six, the black sprinter faces strong opposition from Daisy Moments (Laurie Wode), Miss Priddle (Rhonda Essery), Sleek Rumble (Brad Belford) and Young Rob (Justin Reid).