Mcilveen kennel thriving following beach walks and dam swims

By Jordan Gerrans

Regular walks along the beach, swimming in dams and running around big paddocks might just be the secret to the success of the Paul Mcilveen kennel.

Mcilveen, who has been training for around 25 years, prepares a small team of greyhounds at Beachmere, while juggling a full-time job on the side.

Following an encouraging run in Saturday night’s Ipswich Derby, the experienced trainer has black dog Sunshine Delight looking to record his first victory across his last four starts at Brisbane Greyhound Racing Club this Thursday evening.

As well as the seven-time career winner Sunshine Delight, the kennel also boasts consistent pair I'm The Bill and Bad And Boujee, who are both likely to be in action over the next week.

Living on five acres with the dogs, Mcilveen detailed an enjoyable life for his team.

“I treat dogs as dogs, I let them run around the paddock and all that type of stuff, I have a few dams, they love swimming in the dams,” Mcilveen said.

“Even in the winter time they go in the dams, they just enjoy being out in the back paddock to keep themselves fresh.

“We walk them on the beach a few times a week, which is just down the road.

“They are beautiful animals, I keep most of them as pets, that is the secret, if you enjoy them as a pet and the racing.”

The hobby trainer purchased Sunshine Delight from a mate of his, who bred him from a My Redeemer and Lemon Sunrise litter.

Drawing the pink rug, Mcilveen believes the exciting youngster faces a tough task on Thursday night in the Mixed Fourth and Fifth Grade race.

“He has been running into some really tough fields, last week’s one was even better, it was like a Free For All with all the good dogs in it,” Mcilveen said.

“This week, it is hard as well.

“He was unlucky last Thursday night; he missed the kick and then went towards the rail and got a couple of bad checks before he ran into a few backsides.

“He did not get beaten a long way but he just needs some luck to go his way.

“He will struggle to get across from box eight, especially with Tyanna Belle in seven as she is super-fast out.”

Having won seven of his first 19 career starts, on top of seven other minor placings, Mcilveen thinks Sunshine Delight will break 30 seconds over the 520-metre journey in the near future as he continues to emerge.

“He is a really hard chasing and improving dog, that is the key here because he is just improving,” he said.

“He has had a lot of niggling injuries, he is a dog that just tries so hard so he is feeling it after a run, so you cannot do a lot with him, you just have to manage the dog.

“Now that he is getting a few more runs under his belt, he is finding the line better in his 520-metre starts.

“When he draws the right box in the right field and gets to the front, I am sure he will break 30 seconds quite easily.”

On the quick back-up from Saturday night’s Ipswich Derby Final when he was beaten almost five lengths by Showdown, Mcilveen was encouraged by the run – getting home in 30.72 seconds to claim third.

“The way he finished off in the Derby the other night at Ipswich, he gave them seven or eight down the back and he only got beaten by four, it was really good run,” he said.

“He was going to lob in a beautiful spot but he did not have much luck.”