Plaintiff returns from fractured hock to remain undefeated at Geelong
Plaintiff resumed racing on Friday night after a ten-month break to win a Geelong 4/5th grade greyhound race in great fashion.
The Jason Thompson-trained chaser lined up in the 460m mixed-grade contest as race favourite, paying -200 with the best greyhound betting sites.
Jumping from box two, he got out to the lead early and dictated terms from the front for the entire trip before saluting in a great return to the greyhound track.
He beat home Ike Bale (+840) by 1.25 lengths in 25.74, with outsider Edsel Bale (+2730) finishing in third.
Geelong 4/5th Grade 460m Sept. 29, 2023 – Plaintiff (25.74) T: Jason Thompson
The winning time improved upon his previous personal best time of 25.83, clocked over the track and trip on July 1 last year.
The win also keeps his undefeated record intact over the Geelong 460m journey, with three wins from three starts.
Prior to Friday night, Plaintiff last raced when third in the 2022 Group 1 Melbourne Cup last November at Sandown behind Yachi Bale.
Selected by online bookmaker Neds as their representative for the ‘pop-up' slot race at The Meadows, The Phoenix; Plaintiff suffered a broken hock injury when trialling just days out from the race.
Sent to stud while recuperating from hock surgery, it wasn't known whether Plaintiff would race again
But a recent 21.62 Shepparton trial proved to Thompson that he was ready to return to racing.
“He's going well, not showing us he's back to where he was, but that's to be expected given what he's been through,” trainer Jason Thompson said.
“It's just a bloody good effort for the dog to get back to the races at all.
“Friday night is the first time past 400m since he's come back.
“It's just a good starting point, and where we end up down the track will be how he handles it all,” said Thompson.
After running a personal best at Geelong on Friday night, it is safe to say Plaintiff's career is back on track.
Kennelhand Luke Thompson commented on the performance from Plaintiff.
“We are extremely proud of him.
“To be able to get back to the races after breaking a hock is a credit to the dog, and dad's (trainer Jason Thompson) patience and belief that he would be able to get him back to the track.
“It was a bumpy ride, but seeing him get back into the groove of things straight away was fantastic.
“There's no immediate plan for him moving forward; it's just one step at a time with him,” said Luke.
Plaintiff has now won 18 of 33 career starts, with a further 10 placings.
The son of Zambora Brockie and Appointed has now earned $276,075 for owner and breeder Amanda Tuillo.
Plaintiff kicked his career off in February 2022, finishing second in a VicBred Maiden heat over the 525m trip at The Meadows behind Hometown Hero.
A week later, he finished second behind Hometown Hero in the VicBred maiden semi-finals, before breaking his maiden ten days later in the Group 3 final, taking out the $25,000-to-the-winner first prize.
Plaintiff has been Group 3 placed in the 2022 Launching Pad final at Sandown behind Wow She's Fast, was runner-up to Lektra Gal in the 2022 Listed Pink Diamond Rookie Short Course final at Ballarat, and made the finals of the 2022 Maturity Classic at The Meadows, and the 2022 Group 3 St Warragul St Leger.
During his time on the race sidelines, Plaintiff was sent to stud and sired four litters to Paua Of Mindy (Aston Dee Bee), Shallow Witts (Barcia Bale), Pechey (Magic Sprite) and Submission (Moreira).