Terry Priest is back and patiently working towards his ultimate goal

By Pat McLeod

Born-again trainer Terry Priest is unsure if Alberton Park will deliver his ultimate greyhound racing dream, but Saturday night at Ipswich will be a key litmus test.

The 57-year-old Priest is being seen more around South East Queensland tracks after winning a 12 month battle with throat cancer.

“My health is good now,” Priest said.

Priest's base is near Lowood, in the Somerset region, west of Brisbane.

“I have come through the other side. I had it picked up early," Priest said.

“My health is good, picking up, and I am getting back to the daily duties around the farm and also getting to the odd greyhound meeting. I am one of the lucky ones and hopefully it stays good, touch wood.”

Priest, a popular and highly respected trainer, said his serious illness had forced him to take stock, re-assess and watch his priorities change.

“I just want to stay healthy and enjoy life,” Priest said.

“I have a bit of a different outlook now where nothing seems to worry me as much. These days I take every day as it comes. As far as my goals now, well, I have never won a Group 1 race. I have podiumed, have come close, but there is a bit of unfinished business there.

“I hope that I can scale down, support my son Josh in his training career and just have those couple of top dogs that I can bring along and secure that Group 1 race.

“Of course that is every trainer's dream. I have had track record holders, multiple Group 1 placings, but we have not stood on that podium yet. I suppose my son might beat me to it. And, I would be just as proud if that happened.

“But, that is my goal. If I could win that Group 1 race then it would be a case of, hang the collar up and ‘there you go Josh, everything is yours’.”

Hence the subtle focus on Alberton Park and Saturday night at Ipswich.

The very handy sprinter will jump from box three in the first of three heats of the Ipswich Rising Stars over 520 metres.

To date Alberton Park has raced 31 times for nine wins and nine placings and prize money of $42,510.

They are good, but not compelling stats.

However, his wins include a Capalaba Derby, and more notably, a QGOLD Emerging Sprinters over 520 metres crown at Albion Park.

Priest isn’t suggesting that his Zambora Brockie and Lombardy chaser is obvious Group 1 quality, but there are hints of something that can’t be ignored.

“Alberton Park has certainly shown high speed,” Priest explains.

“He has got it, but hasn't put it all together yet. Of course he's getting to an age now where you probably won't see much more improvement on the clock. But, you just have to be patient. Patience is the big word.”

Alberton Park just scrapes into the age-restricted Ipswich feature, with the $45,000 Final on March 23.

Priest says the quality of this series presents a suitable test for his dog.

“Alberton Park is a good, honest dog,” he says.

“If you go back through his form, he has been riddled with bad box draws, especially over recent starts in higher grades.

“The key to his racing is that he needs to find the fence. If he finds the fence, then he can run good times.

“He is slowly finding form and is jumping well. He is getting fitter and healthier. Like many dogs he is a much better dog on the bunny and on the fence. He has got experience over track and distance which is a big benefit.”

Priest doesn’t have to look far to find the challengers on Saturday night.

In his heat he faces Tom Tzouvelis’ strong finisher Scarlatti (box one), Jamie Hocking’s Group 1-placed sprinter Jen’s Joy (box four) and Warren Nicholls’ Kia Kaha (box seven), fresh from last Saturday night’s win in the Golden Chase Sprint at the same venue.

A quick glance at the other two heats reveals an imposing line-up – Jedda Cutlack’s Vince Curry Maiden winner Duffman, another Nicholls’ threat, Inconspicuous, Jemma Daley’s exciting Johnny Koala, Mick Johnston’s very sharp Comedy Act, Tony Apap’s proven Very Handy and Tzouvelis’ Saanvi.

Priest’s son, Josh, will also be campaigning in the Rising Stars series.

He has Horology (box three) in race eight on Saturday night, the third and final heat.

“We are in a hard race and this is a very good series,” Terry Priest said.

“It has attracted some very good dogs and so it should as a feature event. Full marks to Ipswich for getting such class across the heats.”