Capalaba boss and peers praise a quality youngster on the rise

By Pat McLeod

There was as much applause for young trainer Josh Priest as there was for Alberton Park, the dog he boxed for victory in Sunday’s $11,600 Capalaba Derby Final.

New Capalaba club chairman George Clegg acknowledged that in his presentation speech.

“This is a very popular win. A quality dog and a quality young man,” Clegg said, referring to Josh.

The 22-year-old Josh brushed aside the accolade and, in his usual matter-of-fact-way, put the focus back on his promising chaser.

“He (Alberton Park) is always such a great dog. He has always had ability,” Josh said.

“We brought him here to Capalaba to get his confidence back.

“He had a run of bad boxes and found some trouble on the circle so we thought we would bring him here for a while and let him get some confidence and it has worked.

“He has got his confidence back and so now we will take him back to Albion Park where hopefully he will continue this form.”

Alberton Park started as a strong $1.70 favourite and repaid that faith with a solid two-and-a-half length win over Brett Hazelgrove’s Star Assassin with I’m Peakin’ (trained by Jedda Cutlack) third.

The winning time was 19.67 seconds. 

Early in 2023, Josh was named Young Achiever Of The Year at the annual Racing Queensland greyhound awards.

That was a high point for the young trainer, who is already respected by his peers.

However, the year has also had its challenges, with his father, acclaimed trainer Terry Priest, battling health issues.

Clegg’s presentation praise was also a recognition of the extra workload and responsibility worn on Josh's youthful shoulders.

On Sunday the youngster was buoyant about the future.

“Health wise, Dad is going really well,” Josh said.

“We are getting back into it together now. It is great having him back.

“There was some pressure on me keeping it all going while he was going through his treatment.

“But, he is good now and we are back training together and we are just hoping he stays well because we have such a great future together.”

Capalaba Futurity winner Indiana Wind (Darryl Mcgrath) is also heading to circle racing after being an ‘accidental hero’ on the straight track.

Mcgrath explained that the bitch’s litter was originally taken to Capalaba because of the bad box manners of the only male pup, Buck Barrow.

“In early pre-training he (Buck Barrow) was coming out four or five lengths behind everything else,” the Logan Village trainer said.

“So, I thought I would take him down to Capalaba and give him a couple of runs and see how went.

“I took the girls from the litter as well. They all took a liking to the track and I thought that while they were young and going so well I would leave them there for a while.

“Why change something if it's not broken?”

In fact, five of that litter were on show at the straight track on Sunday: Indiana Wind, Ripper Roo, Tallahasse Miss, Buck Barrow and Philly Special. 

McGrath said the litter, especially Indiana Wind, would now be tested over the Albion Park 520 metre track. 

“Early on in their preparation and trials at Albion Park there was nothing wrong with their times,” McGrath said.

“They just weren't humming out of the boxes, which you need for those races over shorter distances there.

“So, that was also part of the reason for going to Capalaba.

“Now, it will most likely be the 520 metres at Albion Park. I will give Indiana Wind a post-to-post and make a decision after that. Now it is time to move on from Capalaba and see where we are with them, at the 520 metres or not.

“Over the years I have bred, reared and raced my own and most have been short-course dogs. I'm hoping that this litter might change that and stretch it out to 500 metres.”