Mackay and his Grand sprinter are both hitting career-best form

By Pat McLeod

Fernando Grand’s injury and illness interrupted race career will be the cornerstone of his assault on the Group 2 $112,500 Capalaba Cup, starting with Sunday’s heats.

The almost four-year-old is in career-best form and trainer Gary Mackay believes the lengthy periods the dog has spent recuperating instead of training and racing is now proving beneficial.

The Fernando Bale and Precious Sal chaser made the entire industry do a double-take last Sunday when he matched Leeroy Rogue’s seven-year-old track record of 19.22 seconds up the Capalaba straight.

For 75-year-old Mackay, both he and the dog are finding their best in the twilight of their careers.

“It is interesting that after 67 starts he is performing better than he has ever performed before. Must be all the love and appreciation I give him,” Mackay says with his usual cheeky grin.

“We have been through a lot together, this dog and I. The amount of hours that I have spent nursing him back to full health. It's a lot.

“And, these weren’t just overnight things, they were injuries and ailments that took several months for the dog and I to get through."

Mackay says the dog hasn't had a heavy racing career.

"He hasn't been pounding the streets every second day or anything like that," the trainer said. 

“The fact that I haven't been galloping the dog every second day has added to his longevity.”

To date Fernando Grand has gathered 22 wins and 28 placings for $99,125 in prize money from 67 starts.

Mackay, who has had a long career as a greyhound owner, trainer and club official, says last Sunday’s record-equalling run came as no surprise to him.

“The dog had a different aura about him last week,” he explains.

“I also changed his routine around a little bit. Just a bit of an ease-up instead of going harder. Also, a change of environment - just different things that changed his routine.

“So, the record time last week did not surprise me. At the back of my mind I knew he would get close to a record somewhere. He has come back from his latest injuries better than he has ever been and he turns four in a month.”

Mackay says Fernando Grand is the best greyhound he has ever had and a Capalaba Cup would be his greatest highlight, except for one other.

“The past year or so has not only been the most successful part of my training career, but also the most satisfying,” he says.

“When I say satisfying, the fact that I was able to bring that dog through his injuries and when he was so sick.

“To be able to bring him back and be a record holder, to me that is the greatest satisfaction of all.

“That is the highlight for me. And, that is the story of greyhound racing.

“People don't give themselves the credit they deserve, for what they have been able to do and achieve."

The veteran dog man says without doubt Fernando Grand is by far the best dog he has ever had.

“Not all of that is on the track. So much of it is off the track. Going back to the old days of racing there were many highlights - pulling off the big plunge on the day, that was always great," the trainer said. 

“He is a good, hard-chasing dog. Never gives up. Just always does the best he can.

“I have never had the opportunity to win a major race. This is it now.”

Mackay says a quick start and some luck will be the key ingredients to Fernando Grand’s Capalaba Cup campaign.

The heats are run this Sunday with a Final the following Sunday. 

“The dog is drawn perfectly (box eight) this Sunday and if he gets out like last week and avoids that first 15 metres of interference, then he will perform to his ability," Mackay said. 

“I think he is every chance of getting into the Final.

“There are some very good dogs in this heat, but it also comes down to luck on the day. That plays a big part."

Mackay says jumping well is key. 

“Over the two weeks, if he jumps well, performs how he can, he is a good chance," he said. 

“I won’t get anxious and I don't get nervous. I am too old for that.

“I just play it as it goes. That is also good for the dog because they can feel any anxiety coming through you. They will feel it straight away.”

Mackay’s other key ingredient to success is wife Carolyn.

“She plays a key role in what I do, every day. My day starts at 4.30am, tending to the dogs and then going off to work (as the owner of Beenleigh City Real Estate).

“I get home from work after 4.30pm and Carolyn does any work that is required during the day.

“We have been married for 52 years and so, without a doubt, my career highlight was meeting her.”

And, the cheeky smile is back.

There will be five Capalaba Cup heats on Sunday and four heats of the annual Bob Vernon Memorial Maiden.