Plum Tuckered anything but heading into Townsville Futurity final
When Plum Tuckered lines up in the Townsville Futurity Final on Tuesday, it will signal a coming of age for the chaser.
Having joined the Danny Preh kennel in August, she has since gone on to run in the Townsville Cup and now gets a shot at the $7,700 Futurity Final.
Following the transfer from the Graham Hall kennel at Marburg, Luke Harm and Andy Woodford are proud of what Preh has been able to obtain from their chaser.
“I could not be happier with her performances since she joined Danny,” co-owner Woodford said.
“We have a great relationship with him, and he is one of the best dog people around.
“The change of scenery for her was mainly because she was down on confidence.
“She's definitely a city ability dog but she just needed some confidence and maturity.
“We already had Trixie Rigatoni up with Danny, was rapt with him, and have developed a strong relationship.
“So, it has been awesome to be able to give him the opportunity to get a bitch of Wendy's (Plum Tuckered) ability.”
In her first start for Preh, on August 18, Plum Tuckered finished runner-up in the Townsville Cup heats before finishing sixth in the Group 2 Cup final a week later.
In seven starts for Preh, she has saluted twice, including a 7.5 lengths romp on September 15 over the Townsville 380m, with three minor placings.
Townsville 5th Grade 380m Sept 15, 2023 – Plum Tuckered (21.57) T: Danny Preh
“Those 498 corner starts up there aren't ideal for her as she's never been a lid pinger and is a small bitch,” Woodford added.
“She can't absorb contact very well, but she's doing everything right, just without getting luck in running.”
With both of her wins while trained by Preh at the 380m, the trainer confirmed she would race the shorter distance in the future, but for now she is hungry at the further trip.
“She will race 380m but once she gets to the best 8, you find yourself up against the track record holders who start way faster,” the Kelso-based trainer said.
“That might really test her, as she is not usually fast out, so we want to keep her fit enough to race at the 498m.
“I had a bitch called Tipsy Four in 2020 and she was focused on 498m until she could not get a start from a lack of nominations, so she had to adjust to the 380m.
“She eventually ended up breaking the track record, and we have the same deal here with this girl.
“Wendy (Plum Tuckered) is capable of both distances, so we will take it week by week.
“Her head is in the right place, and she will give us a good sight.”
She will jump from box two in the $5,000-to-the-winner final, a draw that her co-owner hopes will provide her with a clear run on the way home to another victory.
“There's no question; she is the best dog in the field for the final, in my opinion,” said Woodford.
“I think she needs to be drawn close to the fence from the 498.
“Pretty Cindy in the one does begin fast though and can shift up the track a fraction.
“Red Car in the three begins well also and crashes to the fence.
“We will need some luck early.
“If she can avoid that trouble early and get a clean run, she should be hard to beat.”
Trainer Preh backed up Woodford's comment on the draw and that Plum Tuckered was looking great ahead of Tuesday's final.
“She is feeling and looking good,” he said.
“The two box is a lot better for her and hopefully she can get a clean start and show us what she really can do.”
If the daughter of Fernando Bale and Crazy Bonnie salutes in the 498m final, she will surpass the $40,000 in prizemoney milestone and crack a feature final title in the process.