Where’s Johnson stars in Thunder heats at Albion Park
Where's Johnson served up a blistering run as he posted the fastest time of the Thunder heats at Albion Park on Sunday night.
Over the 395m under lights, the Greg Deering-trained dog started at $3.30 with online bookmakers and would win by 2.75 lengths over the Jedda Cutlack-trained Ally Gal.
“He looks good and pulled up well,” Deering said.
The time of 22.40 was also a personal best over the trip and track, having had 10 shots at the journey for five wins.
“It was good! He finally got out of the boxes untouched,” the trainer said.
Thunder Heat 2 – June 18, 2023
Winner: Where's Johnson (22.40)
Where's Johnson pinned five wins together over the journey last September through October and seems to relish the journey.
“He seems to be loving that corner start a little bit better,” Deering said.
“But lately he seems to be missing the kick.
“On race day if you miss it by a nose, it's game over really.”
The result landed the Hooked On Scotch x Zipping Flick chaser back in the winner's circle for the first time since taking out the QGold Blitz Heat over 331m last month.
Deering said that even with Where's Johnson posting the best times from the heats, his finals have been a different story – as seen in the QGOLD Blitz and Ipswich's Dash For Cash.
“The problem with him is every final he has made, he has always put in the best time, but come the final he never shows up,” he explained.
“It's a bit of a voodoo on me.”
His record is now 12 wins and 14 placings from 38 starts with $32,230 in prize money earned.
The other two heats were won by Magical Cyndie ($4.60) for trainer Cyndie Elson, and Tungsten Miss ($2.60) with a handy win off a rail run for Cutlack.
“It's going to be stiff competition, no matter how you look at it,” Deering said.
“Hopefully we get a decent box draw because the box draw has been killing us of late.
“If we had our choice, we would go either boxes two, three, or eight.
“But going off his first sectional in the heat, if he can repeat that, I don't think they will touch him.”
The final will be run on Thursday night at Albion Park with $12,025 going to the winner.
2023 Thunder Final Box Draw & FieldAlbion Park395m$12,025 to the winnerThursday, June 22, 2023
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1 Boys Light Up
T: Kevin MacintoshF: -643
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2 Tungsten Miss
T: Jedda CutlackF: 7361
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3 Job Done
T: Warren NichollsF: 8742
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4 Where's Johnson
T: Greg DeeringF: 6481
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5 Where's The Bar
T: Jemma DaleyF: 3142
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6 Slick Town
T: Travis ElsonF: 5243
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7 Ally Gal
T: Jedda CutlackF: 7122
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8 Magical Cyndie
T: Cyndie ElsonF: 1361
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| Reserves | |
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9 Keep On Running
T: Lindsay JoyceF: 2823
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10 Borneo Brave
T: Jason SchmidtF: 1134
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