Trip north a winning move for Tipsy Tess

By Josh Spasaro

Owner Tanner Ahl is expecting his bitches and litter siblings Tipsy Tess and Maisie Moo Moo to finish strongly over 498 metres at Townsville on Tuesday night.

Both were impressive last-start winners, with Tipsy Tess crossing the line in 28.44 seconds and Maisie Moo Moo saluting in 21.79 seconds over 380 metres.

Ahl was impressed with their back-end speed on the home straight at the North Queensland venue, which was a trait their dam, Barbados Express, was blessed with.

“They’ve definitely got their back-end 500 metre strength from their Mum. Unlike their Mum though, their Mum was very slow early,” Ahl said.

“And, they’ve both got nice pace early, which is probably more like their Grandmother, Sweet Barbados. I think she broke five seconds at the first post at Sandown three or four times.

“That’s not very common. But, their Mum was different. Their Mum was more of a stayer.”

Tipsy Tess has won three races and finished runner-up in her four starts under Tony Parker, since her first start with him on March 3.

Tipsy Tess will jump from box five in the $4,880 race on Tuesday night.

She was moved north after Alan McCulloch trained her in Adelaide, where Ahl lives.

“I’ve got a few with Tony, who are all going pretty nicely. They’re all graded to win. He’s improved a lot of dogs that we’ve sent him,” Ahl said.

“She’s definitely got stronger since she was in Adelaide now that she’s up in Townsville. She’s been getting on the bunny and running home stronger.”

Black bitch Tipsy Tess has 10 wins from 22 starts and Ahl believes she will make a good broodbitch after her track career finishes.

“One week at a time for now. Later, we’re definitely going to breed with her, that’s one thing I will say,” he said.

“Outside of races, just keep her fit and see what happens.”

Ahl believes Maisie Moo Moo can also continue her momentum from last week over her preferred distance on Tuesday night.

She will jump from box eight.

He added she has enjoyed being back in Townsville after two seventh place finishes under champion trainer Tom Tzouvelis at Q2 Parklands last month.

But, she did finish runner-up in the Country Cup Final over 520 metres on February 5.

“It’ll be good to see what she does being back over 500 metres, after not coping in Brisbane. She probably didn’t handle being in a bigger kennel,” Ahl said.

“So, she’s sort of back on track, but no real big hope for her. But, it’ll be good to see what she can do back over 500 metres.

“She’s a bit of a quirky dog. No knock-on Tom – he’s one of the best trainers in Australia. She probably just didn’t quite handle that environment.

“Obviously, it’s easier in Townsville as well, so that’s certainly going to help her.”