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Bodhi Bound For Menangle

18 January 2018

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Injury plagued Queensland pacer Bodhi Tree has earned a trip away.

The lightly raced eight-year-old has been transferred from the Stockleigh stables of Peter Greig to the Sydney stables of David Thorn with a view of competing at the spacious surrounds of TABCORP Park, Menangle.

And the in-form pacer will start this Saturday night when he contests a heat of the $30,600 MO series, the final is scheduled for the following week.

“We believe the time is right to send him away and give him his opportunity with the better prizemoney, he’s as sound as he’s been and there are some good options available to him.”Greig said.

The Blissfull Hall gelding is racing in sparkling form currently and boasts three victories at Albion Park, all at 1660m and all in fast time.

Overall, his record now stands at 13 wins from 23 starts while having seven minor placings.

And all this achieved after battling a series of setbacks throughout his punctuated career.

It’s a long and varying list of issues including immaturity problems followed by knee, pelvic and tendon niggles.

General soreness and a fibrillation issues have also been a constant.

But despite all the problems, the fierce determination has always remained.

“He’s as talented a type as I’ve ever worked with and he keeps coming back and he loves racing, obviously he gets the best of care and attention and that’s probably why he keeps going.

“Part of the reason for placing him with David is because of the maintenance required, he’s not a horse that fits into a system and plenty of behind the scenes work is carried out on a daily basis. David and Janet (David’s mother) will provide plenty of care in that respect.

“His past three victories indicate what type of form he’s in and I’m expecting a good showing this weekend from the draw. He traveled down earlier this week and seems like he’s settled pretty quickly.”

Leading reinsman Luke McCarthy is booked to drive and will start from the inside gate in the 1609m event.

Bodhi Tree is raced by Greig’s partner Patrice Madden plus Larry Flynn and Jason Potter-Rose.

Meanwhile, Redcliffe horseman Greg Franklin has also headed south with a trio of talented types and will start both Remember Them and Countdown this weekend.

Both pacers are contesting the $30,600 MO series.

Remember Them will compete against Bodhi Tree in the opening heat but has drawn the opposite end of the track, the Courage Under Fire gelding must overcome gate 10.

Countdown starts in the second heat and has drawn handily in gate 2 but takes on classy mares Don’t Think Twice and Reaza Grunter.

“I’m happy with all of them and they all traveled well and have settled in nicely, it’s a mixed bag with the draws but we’re hoping for the best.” Franklin said.

Talented young Queensland reinsman Nathan Dawson will fly south to take the drives.

The other member of the Franklin team is last start Albion Park winner Somepartysomewhere and he is nominated for next Tuesday.

Chris Barsby | RQ Web News | January 18 | Photo by Dan Costello