Essery’s bargain buy now targeting Townsville QGOLD

By Josh Spasaro

Trainer Rhonda Essery only paid $2,000 for Call Me Alice, but she will line-up in the $10,010-to-the-winner QGOLD Final over 380 metres in Townsville on Tuesday night.

And, the popular conditioner is confident about her three-year-old bitch’s chances after drawing the one box.

Call Me Alice’s form has also been impressive, winning two of her past five starts, and placing in the other three.

That’s without mentioning the fact she overcame a recent health setback.

“We only paid $2,000 for her at the puppy auction at Ipswich,” Essery said.

“We’ve just brought her back from a stopper injury and she’s been going really good. Put it this way – I never thought she’d get this far in her career.

“She’s just an average dog and we’re so happy that she’s come back from an injury and she’s gone on with everything well.

“So, fingers crossed and see how we go.

“She was out for about three months, probably five or six months ago. Every week she’s a week-to-week proposition to see if it holds up.”

Call Me Alice’s record alone suggests that she knows how to overcome setbacks, with 11 wins from 47 starts.

The fact that she was a bargain purchase and sidelined for 112 days with her stopper-bone injury up until February 18 of this year is proof that she has plenty of courage.

And, a brood bitch career might not be far away.

“She’s a little fighter, that’s for sure,” Essery said.

“We’ve got a couple of brood bitches.

“She could be very close, too (becoming a brood bitch).”

Meanwhile, Essery oversaw two winners at Townsville last Friday night when Dinosaur Bones saluted at maiden level and Three Hearts notched up her second victory.

They were both over 380 metres. 

That was after two-year-old black dog Natural Tony took out the Townsville Maiden 1000 Final on April 29, with litter brother Dinosaur Bones finishing runner-up.

“They’re going OK,” she said of her kennel.

“After all the floods and cyclones, our straight track is up and running and all my dogs are just starting to get fit again.”

Like Call Me Alice, Essery said the Townsville community had shown commendable resilience after recent weather events in the region.

“A lot of damage was done. We’re still waiting for things to be fixed, but we’ll get there,” she said.

In March, Essery was awarded life membership of Townsville Greyhound Racing Club.

She has been a dominant figure in the sport in the north for more than 30 years.

“Yes it (the award) was a thrill. I didn’t know that was happening,” she said.

“I love my dogs. I was on the committee years ago and I’ve always helped the club in every way that I can.”