Townsville race a great guide to Wildcard chances

By Josh Spasaro

Mark Partland believes Winnie Rumble is capable of maintaining her good form in the Errol Waters Memorial Final over 498 metres at Townsville on Tuesday night.

The timing of a little run of victories would be ideal given the Townsville Wildcard heats and Final will be August 19 and 26, respectively, with the winner of the decider going straight through to the Townsville Cup Final on September 12.

Winnie Rumble has won her past two starts in fine fashion, saluting in both by three lengths and powering home on the straight.

“Yeah, she’s capable of a run of good form,” Partland said of his bitch who turns three this month.

“She had a bit of an injury before and we had her out for a while. We got her back to 380 and 498 metres is her distance.

“She was just a bit sore in her hip. Nothing too major, it was just a bit of time and maintenance.

“But, she can go on a run. Hopefully she does because we’ve got our Wildcard heats the following week.

“So that’s where most of the people in the race – even though it’s fifth grade – are aiming. They’re aiming for the Townsville Cup, which isn’t too far away.”

Winnie Rumble has saluted on eight outings from 28 starts and ran the fastest heat time of 28.64 seconds.

Partland believes two-year-old dog Bedworth, for Rhonda Essery in box seven, will be tough to beat in the eight-dog race worth $4,880 on Tuesday night, which does not lack quality.

Bedworth has also saluted in his past two starts.

“Rhonda Essery has one outside of mine. They’re all good dogs and they can all run,” Partland said.

“The track is pretty quick at the moment, so there are some good times being run.

“She (Winnie Rumble) will just have to do what she did last week and put herself into a position. 

“If she does that, she’s half a chance. I was pretty happy where she sat down the back straight last week. I was pretty confident she’d get over the top of the other dogs.

“I’m hoping for the same, but there are a lot of good dogs in the race, so we’ll just have to play it by ear.”

The Majors Creek conditioner said Winnie Rumble should enjoy starting from box six.

“I’m reasonably confident. She likes it on the outside. She’s drawn the six, so I think she’s drawn well,” he said.

“She’s going well, so it’s up to her now. She’s a nice bitch.”

Partland, who also breeds and currently has 18 race dogs in work, added Winnie Rumble is well bred.

She is by Pestana, who won 14 from 23 starts, and out of Joyce Rumble, who saluted on 19 occasions from 46 races for Pottsville-based conditioner Stephen Kavanagh.

“They’re all nice dogs out of Steve’s Joyce Rumble line. She (Winnie Rumble) is built well. She’s 27kg. She’s a nice-sized bitch who does everything right,” Partland said.

“I’ve worked with Steve and had a few of his dogs for a few years. It’s a good line. She’s going in the right direction.”