Merv Buckley probably has the best hands in NSW greyhound racing – and he’s hoping they’ll be holding the silverware at Nowra on Saturday night.
The retired masseur has exciting newcomer Megsie Marble ($1.50F with Sportsbet) jumping from box three in the $25,000-to-the-winner Group 3 Classicbet Nowra Summer Puppy Classic (520m).
Megsie Marble ran a storming 29.54 in her heat – just .04 outside the track record - before following up with a 29.65 win in last Monday’s semi-finals of the three-week series.
She also scored a notable 29.89 win at Dapto on debut and owner-trainer Buckley believes his greyhound looks a strong chance for the decider.
“If she hadn’t hit interference last week I think she could have gone close to the track record, but it was still a good run,” Buckley said.
“I’m a little worried about Maya Herrera ($15 with Sportsbet) in box four. I wish he had been drawn out wider as I feel he could beat mine.
“(But) box three isn’t bad for Megsie Marble and she’s done everything right so far.
“If she jumps clearly then I think they’ll struggle to run her down.”
The daughter of High Earner and Secret Marble is the latest hot pup for her owner-trainer Buckley, who works out of the south-west Sydney suburb of Catherine Field.
He has enjoyed success over the last year with city class greyhound Black’s A Marble, who has won 11 of 21 races so far.
Buckley learned massage techniques as a youngster but only became a professional masseur after someone saw him working on his dogs.
“He was a bricklayer with a bad back,” Buckley said. “He saw me working on a dog and said, ‘can you help me out’.
“I said, ‘you might not like what I’ll do but I’ll give it a go’.
“Gradually more people heard about me and I started working full-time.”
A trainer as a young man, Buckley left greyhounds to raise a family with his wife Bev and work as a masseur before retiring a couple of years ago.
Buckley’s wife sadly passed away about 13 years ago and greyhounds have at least helped him cope with his sad loss.
“I was a bit lost and wondering what to do with myself (after my wife died),” Buckley said. “Greyhounds have given me something to do.
“I’ve had offers to sell Megsie but my greyhounds are more than about money. They are my pets and it’s my hobby.
“I’ve been in a few Group finals and had greyhounds that have won 30 races, but this would be my biggest win yet.
“It would be a dream come true.”
Fantastic Polar (box five, $8), from the gun Jason Fletcher kennel and impressive semi-final winner Zulu Power (box six, $4.40) look potential challengers to Megsie Marble.
Blinky's Idol (box one), Martam Gold (box two), Rafferty's Rules ($51) and Bulkender ($9) complete the field.
In other Nowra Saturday action, last start winner Camden Gossip (box six) can win a quality race four over the 520m.
Silent Witness and Gin Blossum both look ideally drawn in box one to win races nine and ten respectively.
Ten races are on the card at Nowra on Saturday and action starts at 5.17pm.
For Nowra Saturday fields, form and expert picks, click here.
Group 3 Classicbet Nowra Summer Puppy Classic Box Draw (Sportsbet prices in brackets): 1. Blinky’s Idol ($51) 2. Martam Gold ($12) 3. Megsie Marble 4. Maya Herrera 5. Fantastic Polar 6. Zulu Power 7. Rafferty’s Rules 8. Bulkender. Res: 9. Tin Pan Alley, 10: Worrigee Road.
Prices correct at the time of writing.
