Preh’s love and care keeps Ashy Bear on the podium

By Josh Spasaro

Jackie and Brad Belford sent Ashy Bear to Danny Preh’s kennels because he is renowned for the love and care he gives his greyhounds.

And, the move has worked a treat with the three-year-old bitch winning three of 11 starts for the North Queensland trainer.

The Belfords – who will have Lovely Madeline competing against Ashy Bear from box one in the Errol Waters Memorial race at Townsville on Tuesday night – still own Preh's chaser.

“She (Ashy Bear) has only missed two placings and that was due to her getting injured. She’s a good little dog – she’s so good in the kennels,” Preh said.

“She’s adapted really well.”

Preh is confident about Ashy Bear’s chances in the $4,880 race over 498 metres.

She will jump from box three, after saluting from the one lane by two lengths over Jimmy Jax, crossing the line in 28.86 seconds last week.

“I think she’s got a good chance if she gets left alone out the front. She’s been going all right,” Preh said.

“She finished strong, running down Jimmy Jax last week. There’s going to be speed there, so it’ll be interesting.

“I think she’s got a good chance with the way she’s running. She loves box three.”

Preh was impressed with how Ashy Bear put a couple of lengths on Jimmy Jax on the home straight in her heat.

“She’s a little bit hesitant when she gets crowded. And, then she’ll come again,” he said.

“If they come up on the inside of her, she doesn’t like that. She’ll drop back and have another go at them.

“But, she’s running with some confidence. Brad’s happy with the way she’s going.”

Despite having 71 starts, Ashy Bear turned three on January 19.

Preh believes she has got more good racing in her.

“I think so. She’s not showing that she’s not interested or anything like that,” he said.

“She’s pretty laid back. When she finishes races, she chills out. Usually, I give them the next day off anyway and then I’ll train them again.

“She doesn’t show any slackness or anything like that. That tells you that she’s all right.

“But, then again, I only run them once a week.”

Preh said Ashy Bear would need to establish an early lead if she wanted to bring up her 15th career victory on Tuesday night.

“If she gets in front of Lovely Madeline, then that one dog will come off the fence,” he said.

“I think she prefers the dogs to come around her than underneath her. And, that’s why I think Eugene (trained by Mark Partland jumping from box four) is going to be the slower dog to come out.

“That will give Jimmy Jax (trained by Heath Ardle jumping from box five) and Utmost (trained by Heath Ardle jumping from box six) a chance. 

"But, if the one and three hold their ground, those dogs will have to work to get around them. I’m hoping that, anyway."