Daley keen for Luna to prove the critics wrong

By Pat McLeod

Straight-talking trainer Jemma Daley is hoping a return to the Q2 Parklands track on Thursday night results in rekindled confidence for diminutive stayer Hara’s Luna.

And, the ever-protective Park Ridge trainer would enjoy few things more than silencing ‘experts’ who have been critical of the chaser’s performances at The Q.

The Feral Franky and Hara’s Bonnie bitch was building an impressive distance racing portfolio across the Ipswich and Albion Park tracks before a toe injury and a transition to The Q dented her confidence.

However, Daley says the critics are the ones out of touch.

“There is nothing more frustrating,” Daley said as she took aim at Hara’s Luna’s detractors.

“Two weeks ago she came out and ran 36.19 seconds (placing second on the Q1 over 642 metres). That was the third quickest time over that distance on that day.

“The very next week she got monstered by bigger dogs and still ran home very well and yet received criticism that claimed, ‘she is not the same dog, she hasn't returned’.

“She is a 24kg bitch racing on one-turn track, so there is nothing more frustrating when you have these experts who are supposed to know, but they rag on the poor little bitch, who is coming back from a pretty significant broken toe.

“The goal was obviously to be ready for the Nationals."

In fact, when Hara’s Luna placed fifth in a heat of the Group 1 Queensland Cup over 710 metres on the Q2 on June 26, it was just her second start on that track and her first over the 710 metres at The Q.

She had only just resumed racing after injuring her toe at Albion Park on February 17.

Prior to that she had won the QGOLD Summer Distance Final over 710 metres at Albion Park and the Past Members Trophy Final over 630 metres at Ipswich.

“It is a confidence issue,” Daley says in regards to Hara’s Luna’s dip in form.

“She hasn't been showing her normal early speed in recent outings and that is what is really hurting her.

“I believe she broke her toe coming out of the boxes at Albion Park at her last start there, so I don't know whether that is at the back of her mind (when she jumps).

“But, yes, it falls back to a confidence thing with her. She is definitely a two-turn track racer. Her runs at Albion, she was up there with the best of them.

“She is getting a little older now, but should be at her peak, at this age. She still has plenty left in her. We are not in a hurry to retire her and put her to stud. We have got more bitches than we know what to do with.

“She still hasn't lost that zest for racing. We are happy with how she is. Her weight is good. She is happy, bright and 100% sound now.”

Thursday night’s 10-race program at the Q2 is the first meeting at the two-turn venue since July 5.

The next big-ticket item for local race dogs is the heats of the Queensland round of the Nationals over 520 and 710 metres, at the Q2, and on the Q Straight on Thursday, August 7

Hara’s Luna has the perfect opportunity to press her credentials for the Nationals with plenty of tough opposition in the race including the state’s best distance dogs – Red Dirt Road and Stowaway.