Cup heat on the menu for Lemon Slice

By Josh Spasaro

Michael Pandelakis couldn’t believe his luck when he acquired Lemon Slice free of charge from Victorian owner and trainer Carly Feltham.

She has recorded three wins from 10 starts for the Townsville trainer since shifting to the Sunshine State.

And, he has seen enough potential to believe she can be competitive in the fourth North Queensland Cup heat over 498 metres at Townsville on Tuesday night.

“It was funny enough. I’ve known her (Feltham) for some years,” Pandelakis said.

“She was a giveaway. I rang her up straight away."

It was no joke and Lemon Slice was Townsville-bound.

The Mr. Audacious and Chatterbox Tilly chaser last saluted at Townsville on September 16.

But, Pandelakis believes starting her over 498 metres in the North Queensland Cup heat on Tuesday night could be the tonic for Lemon Slice to rediscover her winning feeling.

“Unfortunately, she hasn’t got the chocolates, but she’s always found trouble and has been finding the line very strong,” he said.

“So, I thought it was time to step her up to the 498 metres because the previous owner and I, we still keep in contact, and she was telling me that maybe she is looking for that extra bit of distance.

“I think it was six starts ago, she ran home very strong and she just missed out on a win by a nose. It’s just a matter of getting her rhythm. But, she has been very consistent in her performances since coming from Victoria.

“I’m proud of her. Since she’s come up north, she’s done well.”

Lemon Slice will line up from box eight in a quality North Queensland Cup heat field, with Flaming Comet and Jackknifed last-start winners.

Jimmy Roo for Heath Ardle also has 38 wins from 88 starts for $114,510 in career prizemoney so far.

Making the two-year-old bitch’s assignment more difficult is the fact she will jump from box eight.

“I’m not overly confident because of box eight. Box eight is a very difficult box from over the 498 metres,” Pandelakis said.

“But, if there’s a little bit of trouble in the pack, she does come home very strong.

“If she’s close to the leader, or if they bunch up and she’s behind them, she’ll come home very strong and hopefully get a victory on the day.

“A thing I am aware of is she has to be on the rail. And, from box eight it’s going to be a very tough task.

“She does like to hug the rail over the 380 metres. Another thing I’ve noticed is it takes her a while to warm up.”

By Beast Unleashed dog Mr. Audacious and out of Chatterbox Tilly – both 14-time winners – Pandelakis said Lemon Slice has no shortage of natural muscle.

“Physically, I love how she’s very strong. She comes home very strong and very powerful,” he said.

“Her last win she jumped on the bunny and ran 21.68 seconds over 380 metres to salute by seven lengths. She’s one of the fastest greyhounds that I’ve had here in Townsville.

“When I heard that time I said, ‘that can’t be right’. And, then I went ‘OK, we might have something here’.

“But, she’s still learning or whatever the caper is at the moment.

“I thought ‘yep, she’ll go through the grades no worries'. But, her past couple of starts it’s been up in the air.”

Pandelakis – who trains four dogs – said winning the North Queensland Cup would give him a massive thrill.

“It’d mean everything because I’m just a bread-and-butter trainer. I’m not a professional,” he said.

“I don’t do it for a living. But, if a little hobby trainer like myself can win a feature race like that, it’ll prove that anybody can do it.”