Faded photo a timely pointer to Dave Brett Memorial Final

By Pat McLeod

Long-time local conditioner John McCarthy smiles broadly at the memories rekindled by the faded photo of him and the late Dave Brett.

“That photo was taken at Ipswich in around 1992-93,” McCarthy says.

“It was a Valentine’s Day meeting and I had won the Prince Valentine race for dogs and Dave had won the Princess Valentine event for bitches. They decided to get a photo of the two winners up on the victory dais.

“I came across the photo just recently and sent it off to Dave’s son (and champion trainer) Tony. I knew Dave quite well. A good fellow to race with and to also have a chat with at the bar.

“I remember when he first came down from Mackay, where he was at the top of the tree, and then established himself here, showing what a good trainer he was.

“He raced the great Toban Leah at the same time I had a good dog, Dagenham. They came up against each other a few times.”

There will no doubt be plenty of similar walks down memory lane on Thursday night at Albion Park when the prestigious Dave Brett Memorial Final over 520 metres will be contested.

A crack field has won through to the finale of the extremely popular feature, for maidens and novices, including two from McCarthy’s kennel – litter mates Affluent (box one) and Sister Riley (box four).

“This litter broke in well and has just taken a little bit of time to come to hand,” McCarthy explains.

“Affluent was good early and hasn't really taken the next step, but I think eventually he will be the best of the litter.

“He went 30.27 seconds last week and I believe there is still improvement in him.

“I would say that, potentially, both are sub-30 second dogs at Albion Park. Affluent definitely. If Sister Riley starts to jump, then she will go that way as well.

“I don't know whether it will be this Thursday (that either of the dogs lifts to their promise), because there are three in this race that are a fair bit ahead of them.”

McCarthy is referring to three heat winners from last week who have already been inked into plenty of black books – Wreck James (trained by Darren Russell in box three), Kisses For Gran (trained by Tony Apap in box five) and Miraculum (trained by Jayson Valentine in box eight).

However, the 68-year-old training veteran from Wivenhoe Pocket isn’t daunted by tough opposition.

“If you are good enough to make a Final, then you are up against good dogs, but that is what making features is all about,” McCarthy said.

“These races can also bring out the best in young dogs. As a trainer, you know the talent is there, you have seen it in trials, etc. And, then there will be a race when all of a sudden it all does come together.

“These things do happen. You are just waiting for it to happen.

“Of course, when it does happen it will often result in a confidence boost for the dog as well.

“Any good trainer will tell you that when a good dog finds his confidence, he is a different dog entirely.”

The Dave Brett Memorial, worth $16,000 to the winner, is one of two feature Finals at Albion Park on Thursday night.

The other is the Publicans Cup Final for the fifth graders, over 520 metres, with the top two choices in early markets, Tom Tzouvelis’ Autumn Storm (box one) and Saanvi (box seven).