Ken Gill has seen most things in more than 40 years of training but he admits the racing return of Ernie Bung Arrow had his heart beating a little faster than usual.
The exciting sprinter enjoyed a winning return at Angle Park last Wednesday after almost nine months on the sidelines.
Victory in the 388m race took last year’s Group 1 Adelaide Cup winner’s record to a phenomenal 20 wins from 22 starts.
Trainer Gill is now priming Ernie Bung Arrow for a crack at this year’s forthcoming Cup and said it was great seeing his charge back on the track.
“I have been in it for 43 years but I do get a bit of a thrill seeing him back,” he said.
“We were happy to have him back win, lose or draw but it was great to see him out there.
“My mouth was actually a little dry before the race.
“I thought he was actually going to fall. That was the first time he has been buffeted like that at the start of a race.
“He came through it well.”
Check out Ernie Bung Arrow’s comeback win here.
Ernie Bung Arrow burst onto the scene with a superb victory in last year’s Group 3 SA Derby, before adding the Adelaide Cup and the Group 3 Brian Johnstone title to his haul.
He chipped a wrist bone shortly after winning at Angle Park yet again in late January this year, with a bout of kennel cough also delaying his racing return.
Gill is planning to trial his greyhound on Tuesday night and this Saturday morning.
He will then decide whether to have a crack at this year’s Cup, which starts with heats on October 2.
Gill said he was confident his greyhound could achieve more success if he can stay healthy.
“He should be in the best time of his career,” he said.
“We’ve got his injuries right – now it’s about improving his fitness.
“To do what he did under two years of age – win a Cup as a 22-month-old and then two Group races – shows how good he is.
“If we can get him back to full fitness then he should be able to cope.
“We will just keep our fingers crossed and hope it all works out.”
Gill said he may consider travelling interstate for races depending on Ernie Bung Arrow’s progress over the coming weeks.
