Owner applauds Parker for Maisie’s form turnaround

By Josh Spasaro

Owner Tanner Ahl has credited trainer Tony Parker for allowing Maisie Moo Moo to rediscover her form ahead of the City Council Mayors Trophy Final at Townsville on Tuesday night.

The two-year-old bitch won two consecutive starts before finishing runner-up in the North Queensland Cup Final last week.

Before that, she went six starts without saluting.

But, a month break from late September to late October looks to have done the trick, with the Hooked On Scotch and Barbados Express chaser winning twice and placing twice in five starts since her on-track return.

“I think Tony has done a really good job getting her back into form,” Ahl said.

“I know she was out of form and he gave her a rest and brought her back. Compliments to him because he’s done it really well.

“She just wasn’t jumping after the Wildcard Final (on August 26). But, he’s done everything perfect to get her back.

“She’s nearly going as good as ever now.”

Drawing the five next to a vacant six box helped Maisie Moo Moo to salute by five-and-a-quarter lengths over 498 metres at Townsville on November 4.

And, then she drew the two which enabled her to prevail by three-and-a-half lengths in the North Queensland Cup heat on November 18.

Both occasions allowed her to rediscover her sharp box speed and – just as importantly – some confidence.

“Tony gave her that break and now she’s come back and she’s back jumping. It looks like her confidence is back, which is awesome,” Ahl said.

“And, hopefully she can ping (out of the box).

“She does need to lead. She’s won 13 races and only ran second twice.”

Jumping from box seven in the $7,910 City Council Mayors Trophy Final won’t be easy for Maisie Moo Moo on Tuesday night, according to Ahl.

“It’ll probably be tough for her from the seven. It’s been a bit frustrating getting box eight in the past two races (North Queensland Cup and Townsville Wildcard),” he said.

“But, I’d rather be in box seven than not in it at all.”

Ahl – based in the Adelaide suburb of Cheltenham – said he was impressed with the prizemoney on offer in Townsville at the moment.

“It’s amazing in Townsville with the amount of feature races. It’s impressive the prizemoney up there,” he said.

“They were racing for $16,000 (to the winner in the North Queensland Cup Final) last week. The winner gets $5,000 this week.”

Ahl also said having Parker train Maisie Moo Moo – who has 13 wins from 32 starts – was a fun experience.

“You don’t need every single update. But, he rings you when they trial and after a race,” he said.

“Some trainers don’t do that. We all want to see what the trainer thinks. It makes it worth the investment and it makes you want to send trainers more dogs.

“I’m very happy. He’s done everything perfect by me and by the dogs. I’m keen to send him some more dogs in the future, for sure.”