Now That's A Plunge

IT appears the only Queenslanders who didn't know Nakuru was a “special” in a 520m Novice at Albion Park last Thursday night was the local stewards' panel.

Nakuru (Fernando Bale – Velocity Sofia) led throughout off his inside box draw to score by two and a quarter lengths over Double Chip with a length to Silver Stunner in third.
The Kevin Ellis-trained dog was hugely supported by punters firming right in to start $1.80 favourite.
The solid betting move for the dog, who had won once in his previous 10 starts, was questioned after the victory by the on-track stewards.
But form followers were well aware Nakuru has been desperate for an inside box draw and when he came up with the two last Thursday night they rallied to back him into raging hot favourite.
Ellis was not surprised by the support.
“Everyone I have met for the past couple of weeks, especially the big punters, have been telling me they have been waiting for him to draw inside,” said Ellis.
He pointed out that the dog has not drawn an inside box draw in his previous four starts and in eight of his previous 10 starts he was burdened by a wide draw.
“He is one of those bad box dogs who goes back and forth in the boxes trying to anticipate the start,” said Ellis.
“The night he won at Ipswich in his maiden in 30.48 off the eight box just happened to be one of those nights he was forward right at the right time. And he beat a pretty ordinary lot of maidens too.”
Ellis is adamant the dog has a future and the 30.00 clocking in his win last Thursday night did not surprise him.
“But, he is unreliable out of the boxes,” he said.