Cary Grant knows what it is like to win a cup and he is hoping Minnie Jayda can rekindle that magical feeling in tonight’s heats of the Group 2 Lismore Workers Club Cup.
The promising sprinter goes in the fourth and final heat of the $40,000-to-the-winner race, the latest leg of the Thank Dog It’s Friday series.
Minnie Jayda has a superb record at the Northern Rivers track but is drawn awkwardly in box five and faces tough opposition including Pace Ventura and Give You Credit.
Owner-trainer Grant won the 2007 Group 2 Gosford Gold Cup with Prey For Mercy and says he would love to experience a night like that again.
“I stick the video on now and again and watch it,” he said with a grin.
“It was a great feeling to win a Group race. I would certainly like to experience that feeling again.
“There’s some good greyhounds involved tonight (but) I think she’s got a chance of making the final.”
Minnie Jayda has compiled a solid record in 2014 since debuting successfully at Albion Park.
She has worked her way through the distances and now has eight wins from 14 starts.
Lismore is a happy hunting ground for the chaser, who was won four of her six visits to the track.
“The tight track suits her,” Grant, who works out of the Tweed suburb of Chinderah, said.
“She has been racing there since she was a pup so she knows the place.
“She is a front runner and her first and second sectionals are usually pretty quick.
“If she continues to do well then we’ll probably take her to Sydney, but this is the class of dog she’ll be up against there so we’ll see how she goes.”
Grant has been involved with the sport for about 30 years after being introduced to greyhounds by family.
“I just like winning any sort of race, whether it’s a maiden or a fifth grade,” the 65-year-old, who is helped by wife Lorraine, said.
“I like the challenge of getting the greyhound to become a winner.
“It can be a rollercoaster but I love the greyhounds.
“I reckon I’ll be doing this until the day I die.”
The four heats boast some quality greyhounds, with last year’s winner Regal Lauryn going in the third heat.
Gun NSW trainer Jason Mackay has ZIPPING Summah and ZIPPING Angel jumping in the first and second heats respectively.
The first heat also features recent Group 2 Black Top finalist Miner’s Moss, while Exhibitionist (heat two) is also one to watch.
Action starts at 7.19pm.
For Lismore Friday fields, form and expert tips, click here.
For more information on The Thank Dog It’s Friday series, click here.
