Ardle happy with midfield draw for Wildcard heat

By Josh Spasaro

It might be contrary to popular opinion, but Heath Ardle believes box five will suit Southpaw Mcgraw perfectly in the fourth Townsville Wildcard heat over 498 metres on Tuesday night.

The two-year-old dog with nine wins from 31 starts saluted from box four in his last start over 498 metres, crossing the line in 28.59 seconds and prevailing by three quarters of a length on August 5.

“He had to punch up under Maisy Moo Moo. It was a really good run. I was happy with that one,” Ardle said.

Ardle is based just south of Townsville at Horseshoe Lagoon.

He says Townsville’s unique track characteristics – jumping from the boxes and being met by a turn – meant his preference was for a middle lane in the final Wildcard heat, which is worth $4,880.

“A lot of people might disagree with me, but I like four and five on the 498 metre start because you’re running straight onto the corner,” he said.

“Whereas if you’re inside, you’ve got to come out a bit. And, if you’re on the outside, you’re trying to come in. If you can keep out of trouble in the centre, it’s the quickest part around there.

“The one and the two you’ve got to come out and around. But, I don’t mind where I’m drawn.”

By Group 1-winner Aston Rupee and out of Ardle’s brood bitch Nangar Gold, who won on 12 occasions from 37 starts, Southpaw Mcgraw has won two of his past five races.

The three others were runner-up finishes.

Ardle believes his chaser will only become more consistent after he turns three on October 15.

“I’ve actually got the brood bitch here and I’m just about to breed with her again – the whole line seems to be more mature as they get older,” he said.

“They seem to be going better.

“Anthony Azzopardi’s got one down in Melbourne (Dusty Mcgraw). He’s the same litter as this fella. He went 22.20 seconds at Geelong (over 400 metres on July 12).

“And, then he won again at Ballarat. That was the time of the night (25.14 seconds over 450 metres on July 23).

“The second litter, there’s that one up in Darwin which was the Darwin Cup favourite and ended up running third, Little Lockett.”

Along with plenty of natural athleticism, Southpaw Mcgraw has taken a real liking to Ardle’s 10-acre property and its surroundings.

“He’s just a hard chasing dog. He’s got that much ability, it’s unbelievable. He was a bit questionable to start with,” he said.

“I take just him and Jimmy Roo in the car because I’ve only got four race dogs at the minute and a heap of pups.

“I normally go for a drive out to the salt flats and mud flats. There’s a big river system. I take them for a big walk out there.

“I’ve got 550-metre run yards and a track around the back where I take them for a walk or a jog.”

Ardle believes Tuesday night’s heat won’t be easy, with the top two progressing to the Final on August 26.

The winner of that feature gains automatic qualification into the Townsville Cup Final on September 12.

“You’ve got Showtime Isaac coming back and Tony (Parker) is only 500 metres up the road from me,” Ardle said.

“He’s one to look out for and one of Greta Thomson’s in that heat, Jackknifed. There are a couple of BJ Chaffey’s (Grinch and Emgrand Flash).

“It’s a pretty tough field, but he (Southpaw Mcgraw) will be up there. As long as he can keep out of trouble, he’ll be up there. He’s been coming home well.”