Kuhl’s veteran ready for class 'Rocky' field

By Josh Spasaro

Experienced Gracemere trainer Jeff Kuhl knows the eighth race from Rockhampton on Wednesday night has no shortage of quality chasers.

But, he also believes his four-year-old dog, Heffernan Bale, will not let him down in good company.

Heffernan Bale will start in his 110th race in the event. 

The chaser has notched up 16 victories for a total of $100,415 in prizemoney, the most stakes earnings in the seven-dog field.

Kuhl said Robert Weeding’s three starters – Play Dirty, Sweet Lollipop and Amren – will all be tough to beat.

Play Dirty has won five of his past six starts for Dallas Beckett and makes his first appearance for Weeding.

Amren, a two-year-old bitch, is also a last-start winner and she will jump from box eight.

“It’s a real good field,” Kuhl said.

“He’s (Weeding) got his father’s dog (Rocky Ride for Gary Weeding, who has saluted in his past two starts), too. It is one hell of a field.

“He (Heffernan Bale) is not a bad dog himself. But, I think they’re too quick for him. He’s four-and-half years old.”

Kuhl is full of admiration for Heffernan Bale, who he said never stops trying.

The veteran racer has shown plenty of heart to finish in the top three in his past three starts, with his last win coming at Rockhampton over 407 metres on June 29.

“He’s a good old dog. He’s consistent,” Kuhl said.

“He ran second last week. He doesn't give up. He’s still running all right for an old dog.

“He’s got a couple of wins left in him.”

Heffernan Bale is by Group 1-winner Orson Allen and out of Group 1-placegetter and 14-time winning stayer, Alera Bale.

Kuhl added his tough chaser’s time as a track competitor was almost at a conclusion, but said he was not sure at this stage whether he would soon become a stud sire.

“I don’t know. He’s a beautiful dog. He’s a lovely kennel dog. He’s a good dog all around. He’s consistent, put it that way,” he said.

Kuhl said Heffernan Bale drawing box three was a good result.

“He loves the rail. They’ll know he’s in the race,” he said.

The 75-year-old Kuhl currently has 11 dogs in work and has been involved in greyhound racing since 1982.

He won the Rockhampton Cup in 1985.

He has been super impressed with how far the racing code has come in Central Queensland since those days.

“It’s come along in leaps and bounds. I think the dogs are getting quicker at the moment,” he said.

“You’ve got people like Steven Scott, Clinton Thompson, Juanita Thompson, Darren Taylor, Christine Pollard – they’ve all got pretty handy dogs.

“I think a lot of those dogs can win in Brisbane. You’ve got Mick and Amber Boody.

“They (Steve Scott’s operation) got five winners on Wednesday night and they got five last Sunday. He’s going really good.”

Scott will have three-year-old Court Model – with eight wins from 38 starts – jump from box four in race eight on Wednesday night.

Pollard’s fellow three-year-old Buckaroo looks a good prospect from box one.

He has seven victories from 12 starts.