Learning curve continues for Gainey

By Pat McLeod

Warwick-based dog man Patrick Gainey is in no rush to end his lengthy greyhound training ‘apprenticeship’.

Well-known as a successful breeder, Gainey says he is still about seven years away from taking up the collar and lead on a full-time basis.

“I really enjoy the breeding side of things, the whelping, rearing, up to break-in,” Gainey says.

“Then I move the better, faster ones on to good trainers and tend to keep the slower ones, or the ones I can’t place.

“That is where I am at the moment. In some ways I am still learning.

“I talk to a lot of trainers. I really enjoy hearing from the better ones and that is where you can learn a lot.”

Gainey is no greyhound novice. He has built a reputation across more than 15 years as an astute breeder.

He currently has about 20 dogs placed with trainers such as Bob Cooke, Robert Giltinan and Mark Saal.

He also has just the four race dogs at home on 10 acres at Murrays Bridge, just outside Warwick.

Gainey, who turns 48 next month, works full-time for Queensland Rail and says the plan is to go full-time greyhound training in five to seven years.

“I’ve worked for Queensland Rail for about 30 years and I’ll keep building up the ‘super’ and hopefully by the time I am 55 I will be ready to go full-time,” he says.

“Up until then it is about being a sponge and absorbing as much knowledge as I can.”

That learning curve continues on Sunday, when Gainey has three dogs from his kennel at Capalaba – Whiskey Riot and Wildash Boomer littermates Cashed Up Beth and Cashed Up Haven – and Cash Gain.

“There is no doubt they can all run, but they just need to mature and learn a bit more about racing and that is a major reason I take them to Capalaba,” he said.

“That’s a great track for young dogs to learn.

“Cashed Up Beth won her last start at Capalaba. She has got ability, but it is when Beth wants to use it.

“She goes well up the straight so I might try to keep her there for a while and see if we can win a few."

He says the five members of his Wildash Boomer litter all have ability.

“Haven won in a steady time at her last start, which was on a Thursday night at The Q (over the 520 metre trip on the Q2 track in 30.54 seconds)," he said. 

“That was a good performance and, as I said, they all have ability, and hopefully time will show that.

“The other dog on Sunday, Cash Gain, has been racing for a while now (38 starts for six wins and 13 placings).

“On Sunday, all three races are pretty tough, but these days they all tend to be like that.

“All three of my dogs are a chance, but realistically, I would say Haven is the one more likely to salute.”