By Jordan Gerrans
The great Bernborough holds a revered place in the history of the Queensland racing industry.
Galloper Bernborough was foaled near Oakey on the Darling Downs – just a short drive from Clifford Park – with a statue in the town to this day recognising his outstanding career in the 1940s.
And, greyhound trainer Gary Mackay reckons his comeback dog Fernando Grand has a heart the size of the former Queensland star of the turf.
Earlier this year, the Luscombe-based Mackay was unsure if Fernando Grand was going to live, let alone return to the race track.
He was struck down with a batch of acidosis and lost around ten kilograms.
Just a few short months later, the son of Fernando Bale is favoured to claim the popular Publicans Cup Final on Thursday evening at Albion Park.
“He has a heart as big as Bernborough,” Mackay said of his blue dog.
When Fernando Grand took a turn for the worst in March of this year, the trainer was not concerned around if the dog were to ever make it back to the track, he was focused on keeping the greyhound alive.
He had shown above average ability in the early stages of his career, making the Final of the Group 2 Queensland Derby late last year.
“He has come back bigger and better than he has ever been since he came back from his batch of acidosis,” Mackay said.
“We nearly lost him with it from a race at Ipswich, I put him in one run too early and he suffered from it.
“We had to rejuvenate him and bring him back to life.
“He lost around ten kilograms in weight and as he is usually a big dog, he did not look good after losing that weight.”
Mackay was aided by his regular veterinarian, a group of his mates, as well as a slice of his own knowledge as they all worked tirelessly to keep Fernando Grand alive.
The trainer says it was touch and go there at some stages – having to monitor the dog every four hours – but the kennel could not be happier with the way he has come back.
Since returning in early June, the nearly three-year-old has won seven of his 12 attempts and he has only missed the money on two occasions.
Fernando Grand is owned by Mackay's wife Carolyn and the team were pleased with the 30.08 second performance in last Thursday’s heat.
“He is a smart dog once he gets out of that first corner,” the trainer said.
“He watches and waits for the gap and then takes it.
“That was a good run on Thursday night in the heat, seeing as it was his first run back there for a while.
“I was happy with that and if he can get up along that rail earlier without running into any trouble before that first corner, then he will be a show in the Final.”