Tony Forbes set for a busy first training trip to Queensland

By Jordan Gerrans

Quorrobolong trainer Tony Forbes is looking forward to a few things in his journey to the Sunshine State this weekend.

The veteran NSW dog man has been around the code for all of his life and he is set to travel his kennel to race in Queensland for the first time, targeting Sunday’s Capalaba Derby heats up the grass straight.

And, while he is keen to qualify for the Final of the series, he is also interested in catching up with an old mate from his youngest days back in Wyong.

Forbes will stay with Vernor-based trainer Terrence Priest on Saturday night and wake up the following morning and hope to defeat his dog – On The Radar – in the 366 metre heat.

While Forbes and Priest are close mates and will speak on the phone regularly, the visiting conditioner estimates they would not have seen each other in person in the best part of six years.

On The Radar will start alongside Forbes’ Weffalee Shield in the second of the two heats.

“I spoke to him the other day and I said to him that I hoped our dogs did not wipe each other out,” Forbes said with a laugh.

“He has drawn alongside me.

“You would be surprised how many times I have had two dogs in the same race over the years and they have come together before the first turn.

“I hope that does not happen for Terry and me.

“If I cannot win the series then hopefully Terry can win instead.

“Terry is a very good trainer; he is a handy man with a dog.”

Forbes and Priest’s sons have also played soccer together in previous years.

“They are terrific people and have a real passion for dogs,” he said.

Weffalee Shield has earnt a trip north after putting together a smart record up the Richmond straight, winning four from six at the track.

He comes north with two other kennel mates in the experienced trainers first ever trip north to race.

The Forbes kennel are known for travelling far and wide across NSW to find a suitable race for their runners.

Having retired in recent years from his job as a train driver and rigger, he now has more available time to chase feature racing around the country.

Weffalee Shield will start at Capalaba for the first time on Sunday from the five lane without trialling at the southern Brisbane track in the lead-in.

“He has won four times at Richmond, he is a very good dog,” Forbes said.

“He is a very big dog at 37 kgs.

“While he is not two years of age yet, I thought I would come up and give him the opportunity.”

The visiting trainer is hopeful of running in the top four on Sunday and qualifying for the Final in seven days’ time.

Forbes – who’s family have been involved in the code for generations - has 26 dogs on his property, many of which he is breaking in for other people.

Also from the Forbes kennel, Time For Tina, will be out to breaking his maiden status after running in the money in his two career race starts to date.

Another from his team - Django Unleashed – is likely to be an emergency in both heats for the Derby on Sunday and will instead contest a fifth grade race earlier in the program.

Two heats of the Capalaba Futurity will also be held on Sunday.

The Futurity and Derby Finals are worth $9,800 with $6,370 going the way of the winners.