Maggie Moo Moo to deliver sentimental Group 1 victory

By Jordan Gerrans

If Maggie Moo Moo was to claim Australia’s biggest greyhound staying event on Thursday night, owner-trainer Darren Johnstone and his wife Sue believe it would be a fitting farewell to a beloved member of their kennel.

The Harrisville-based team of Johnstone regularly name their dogs after members of their family, with Maggie Moo Moo - who is a hot chance in Thursday’s Group 1 Sandown Cup Final - given her moniker after Sue’s mum Margaret.

Margaret sadly passed away in January of this year.

Despite having no interest or involvement in dogs for much of her life, Margaret became a keen follower of the industry and the star stayer,  who was named after her in her final months.

Johnstone - who bred Maggie Moo Moo - says a $175,000 Group 1 Sandown Cup victory for the blue bitch would be a sentimental occasion for his family.

“Sue’s mother and father used to watch all her races and really followed her closely,” Johnstone said.

“Unfortunately, she passed away in January; it is still touchy with my wife, and every time Maggie Moo Moo wins a race or puts in a really good race, we still get emotional about it all.

“It would have special significance to win a race like this, it is still fresh only being January when she passed away.

“Maggie Moo Moo gave Margaret a lot of joy.

“It would be unreal to win a race like this for her but we are under no illusions, this is a tough race against some very, very good dogs.

“Hopefully she can be competitive and fingers crossed we can win the race.”

After breeding the litter that Maggie Moo Moo came from, Johnstone says it is always more special as a trainer when you have been around a greyhound from day one leading into their successful racing career.  

The winner of 15 career races from 52 starts for $76,740 in prize money, Maggie Moo claimed her Sandown Cup heat last Thursday in stunning fashion, getting home in 41.97 seconds while beating SA Group 1 star Sir Truculent by a length with Weblec Haze in third.

To claim a maiden Group 1 triumph for the Johnstone kennel, Maggie Moo Moo will need to come from the yellow rag on Thursday night, a box she has never won from before in her career.

Maggie Moo Moo’s racing pattern has completely switched through her career, Johnstone explains.

hen she was a younger, Maggie Moo Moo would often lead, but is now known more so for her devastating finishes, just as she did in the heat for the Group 1 final, closing over the top of a tiring leader to claim the prize.

“She gives you a heartache with how far back she gets in her races, every time she races, she gets so far back you think she is no hope,” he said.

“But she never ceases to amaze me how quickly she comes home.

“In a race like this, you cannot give that quality of field such a big start.

“Drawing the five box this week is not ideal, I would have preferred seven or eight, so hopefully she does not run into any traffic.

“She has never won out of the five, that is the concern, and hopefully this could be the first one - it would be the occasion to do it.”

Johnstone, who looks after a 28-dog kennel, is less than five years into his training career and has already gone close to breaking through for his first Group 1 triumph.

Federal Morgan ran fourth in Group 1 Brisbane Cup before running second in the Group 3 Townsville Cup just a few weeks later.

His gun stayer, Maggie Moo Moo, ran fourth at Group 1 level earlier this year as well.

Maggie Moo Moo has remained in Victoria in recent weeks, staying with caretaker trainer Robert Britton, as she is not a great traveller, Johnstone says.

She is a $11 chance in the Cup as of Tuesday afternoon.

Following Thursday evening’s $175,000 Group 1 Sandown Cup, the star stayer is straight back to the Sunshine State for the 2021 TAB Queensland Winter Greyhound Racing Carnival.

The upcoming Group 1 Queensland Cup, Dashing Corsair and State of Origin series are all being considered in the short term.

“Hopefully she is invited to the State of Origin and after that we look to a race like the Brisbane Cup,” Johnstone said.

“There is six weeks straight of good heats and finals so that’s why we will come straight back.”

Click here to read more about the 2021 TAB Queensland Winter Greyhound Racing Carnival.