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Student Ashley Sommerfield is aiming to put his books aside this Thursday night as he lines up last start winner Ironbar Jill at Albion Park.
Ironbar Jill will have her first career start from box one in the Ubet – The New TAB Stakes (520m, race six), a week after her impressive 30.20 victory at Albion Park
The tough field here includes impressive newcomer Thirty Talks (box five) and recent Ipswich Auction Classic winner Magical Yessam (box eight) but in current form Ironbar Jill, who is also known for being a fast starter, looks a decent chance.
“We were hanging out for box eight as she’s better suited out wide,” Sommerfield said. “Having said that, if she shows her customary pace then I think she’ll give them something to look at.
“I think there’s a couple of ordinary beginners in this race, so if there’s early trouble then she could be well placed to take advantage.
“If she begins like she can, she’s got a chance.”
Sommerfield, who is based at Landsborough on the Sunshine Coast, had not even attended a greyhound race before last year.
The Sport Exercise Science student bought a share in a greyhound before taking the plunge and acquiring his public trainer licence late in 2015.
Ironbar Jill, who reached the final of the recent Queensland Futurity before finishing sixth in the decider behind winner Fabregal, is one of two greyhounds in Sommerfield’s kennel.
“I’m saying to everyone, ‘uni comes first’, but come back in six months and I imagine there’ll be another greyhound in my kennels,” he said.
“The amount of help I’ve had has been unbelievable. People like (Queensland trainers) Ross Ogden and Errol Kleinhans have been wonderful.
“I’ve found the most difficult thing is worrying about my greyhounds. I just want them to be happy and healthy and give themselves the best chance of racing well.
“I don’t think people know just how wonderful greyhounds are. They’re not race dogs – they are your mates.”
In other Albion Park Thursday action, Gelantipy Gold and Lady Abigail both look ideally drawn in box one to races one and eight respectively.
Lady Abigail was a smart 29.91 winner at Albion Park last week and has the impressive record of five wins and four minor placings in nine previous starts wearing the red rug.
Serene Star (box three) has won three of her last four races and with slow starter No Callaratah on her inside looks well placed to win race seven.
Zamdon Lambo, a member of the gun Tony Brett kennel, has won his two previous starts from box eight and looks the top pick wearing the pink rug in race five.
For Albion Park Thursday fields, form and expert picks, click here.
