Ground Control a major chance for Townsville Cup

By Josh Spasaro

It was several minutes after Ground Control’s Townsville Cup heat triumph before Heath Ardle realised his two-year-old brindle dog had almost broken the track record.

The Fernando Bale and Self Control chaser crossed the line in 28.20 seconds, beating Tempting Dash over the 498 metre distance.

Now-retired Group performer Daysea’s Rory holds the track record at 28.17 seconds.

“I didn’t even hear the time. I walked up and picked him up and it wasn’t until I got to the wash bay that someone said the time,” the local Horseshoe Lagoon-based conditioner said.

“I was like, ‘Yeah, really?’”

Despite the understated response, it would be wise not to discount Ground Control’s credentials in the Group 2 Townsville Cup Final on Friday night.

He also won well two starts back over the same distance, beating Cheap Reality for Hayley Wooler by two lengths and crossing the line in 28.30 seconds.

That was after finishing third in the Group 3 Darwin Cup on August 2.

“Ever since he came up, he’s just been improving. Every time I’ve put him on the track he’s improved,” Ardle said.

The 48-year-old conditioner was in awe of Ground Control’s heat win, where he flashed out from box three before gamely holding out Tempting Dash.

“Amazing. Such a quality bitch and he held her off. If you’ve got a dog who starts well, it normally means they fade a bit,” he said.

“But, he’s shown it at both ends.”

Ardle said 498 metres was Ground Control’s ideal distance, compared to the Darwin Cup trip of 537 metres. 

“I think Darwin is just a little bit too far for him. That’s the main issue up there. The Townsville track suits him down to the ground,” he said.

“But, that’s only my opinion – I’m not the owner.”

Ardle has had instant success with Ground Control, the young chaser with a perfect two from two record since going to North Queensland.

Ground Control began his career in Victoria, followed by stints in Western Australia, back in Victoria and in the NT.

He has now won 12 races from 38 starts for more than $42,000 in prizemoney for owners Mud Flaps Racing.

Ardle was instantly impressed by his speed and racing nous.

“On his first trial he only went 28.86 seconds and that was his first look. It’s his turn of foot and he rails hard and he’s a quick beginner, which you need at Townsville,” he said.

Ardle added drawing box five for the $75,000 Townsville Cup Final won’t bother Ground Control.

“With him, I’ve always thought to myself if you’ve got a dog who begins over 498 metres, if you draw the middle it’s probably easier than coming out from the one or coming across from the eight,” he said.

“That’s because you’re going straight onto the corner. The one has to jump, come out around and hope nothing else is coming down on them.”

Ardle oversaw Swap Ya beaten by a nose in the Townsville Cup Final in 2017.

He believes Ground Control can win this year’s edition and give him a lifelong memory to cherish.

“Yes, he can. That other dog was a very good dog towards the end of his career when he came up here,” he said.

“But, I would’ve liked to see another metre or so. He only got beaten by a nose and it took them a couple of minutes to work out who won.”

Ground Control is one of three locally trained dogs lining up in Friday night’s Townsville Cup Final.

The others are Rio Ragnar for Bradley Belford and Wildcard winner Takeover Target for Michael Hickmott, who have drawn in boxes three and four respectively.

Both have won their past four consecutive starts.

“Those three dogs – either one of them could win it. It’s pretty strong up here at the minute,” Ardle said.