Partland going bananas for his chaser

By Josh Spasaro

Cool Bananas has been competitive with two seconds and a victory from his past five starts, but Mark Partland admits he could be ‘hot or cold’ at Townsville on Tuesday night.

The three-year-old dog with 20 wins from 88 starts will line up over 498 metres and will do so with the benefit of drawing box one.

But, Partland was not getting carried away when asked about his chances.

“He’s hot and cold. He could come out and blow them away, or he’ll run second,” Partland said.

The Majors Creek, south of Townsville, conditioner said his experienced chaser has been finishing very well, but he was giving away a little too much ground after exiting the boxes.

“He’s going well. He gives them a mile start and runs them down, that’s the problem,” Partland said.

“He doesn’t come out, but he’ll be thereabouts.

“He’s getting on a little bit in age. He’s had a few injuries. I’ve just got to take it easy with him.”

Cool Bananas has registered four runner-up finishes from his past eight starts, so there can be no denying the effort he has been displaying.

He finished second in the Townsville Wildcard Final also over 498 metres on August 26.

After a sluggish start from the two lane, Cool Bananas found himself in third position on the back straight, before going wide at the turn for home and finishing three-and-a-half lengths behind Time Passages.

Partland was happy with the effort from Cool Bananas on that occasion, with Time Passages going on to finish fourth in the Townsville Cup Final on September 12.

On that same Cup night program, Cool Bananas produced a sizzling 28.40 second effort.

“It (Townsville Wildcard Final) was a nice run. He was beaten by a better dog on the night,” Partland said.

“And, then you come out Cup night and he was in a normal 498 metre race and he ran the quickest of the night.

“He’s a little bit hit and miss. But, don’t get me wrong, he’s been a great dog for us.”

Like Cool Bananas’ recent unpredictable performances, Partland said he did not know if drawing the rail would benefit his chaser or not on Tuesday night.

“Some people reckon he likes out wide because he runs wide down the back straight,” he said.

“But, he had box four (in three of his past five) starts. So, we’ll see how he goes on the rail.”

By Group 1-winner Shima Shine and out of Jo Jo, who won 16 from 45 starts, Partland said Cool Bananas lived up to his name with a calm demeanour.

“He’s a great dog in the kennel. He’s got a great temperament. You don’t know he’s here,” he said.

“He gives 100% every time he goes out. That’s all you can ask.”