Family comes first as Mcintosh prepares for back-to-back Vince Curry wins

By Pat McLeod

Family means everything to laid-back South East Queensland trainer Adam Mcintosh.

It was written across his face when the exciting youngster he trained, Elisheba, won last year’s Vince Curry Memorial Maiden and Mcintosh’s expression beamed as he took in the raucous family celebration in the Ipswich club grandstand.

This year it is written in the program, with the Mcintosh-owned-and-trained Kisses For Gran exiting Box 4 in the 2024 version of the prestigious, $75,000-to-the-winner, Group 3 Ipswich maiden (520m) on Saturday night.

“She is named after my wife Gail’s mother, Joyce,” he said of the precocious Kisses for Gran.

“Granny lived with us and this youngster’s mother, Golden Joy, was ‘Gran’s dog’. She was always patting her.

“She really loved being around the dogs. She was very hands-on with them.

“Granny passed away in 2022.”

Keeping with last year’s winning formula, Gail, a health worker, will be at work on Saturday night and not at the track with other members of the family.

“That seemed to work last year, so that’s where she said she will be again this year,” Mcintosh said.

“We probably won’t have as many family supporters as last year, but there is a chance our first grandchild, Ellidy (nine months) will be there. That would be great.”

Mcintosh’s excitement level peaked at that announcement, more so than discussing the chances of back-to-back wins in the world’s richest maiden greyhound race.

“To be honest, I will probably treat Saturday as just another day,” he said.

“I am rapt to be in the race again. Winning last year was amazing.

“But, this year the dog is all mine. I bred her, own her and train her. While that is a special feeling, I don’t feel the pressure of training someone else’s dog for a big race.

“What will be will be.”

Kisses For Gran certainly comes into this year’s Vince Curry final with less fanfare than Elisheba. Last year’s champion was undefeated in all three stages of the series – heats, semis, final.

Kisses For Gran, Zambora Brockie - Golden Joy, was placed third in her heat and second to Justin Bowe’s Tank Engine in their semi-final and is worse than mid-field in the betting market.

“Kisses For Gran is still very immature as far as her race sense goes,” Mcintosh offers.

“Very green, and that showed in the two rounds so far.”

But then he nonchalantly offers: “But she is the fastest dog I have ever trained!

“She is very quick. Her trial times are amazing.

“So yes, I am excited that she is in the final of this race, but I am more excited about what she might develop into in a few months’ time.

“I have to be honest, the thought of putting any of this (four-dog) litter in for the Vince Curry was never a real consideration.

“It just seemed to happen. And here we are.”

Litter brother Golden Bear exited at the heat stage.

Mcintosh said Kisses For Gran was faster than Elisheba, but he said that is where the positive comparison at this stage of their careers ended.

“Elisheba was older and also matured much more quickly as a race dog,” he says.

“And she was always so professional and calm, even as a young dog. Her mannerisms took her a long way.

“You could walk her on a piece of string, whereas this current litter, they are all quite boisterous.”

Mcintosh said Ryan Ayre’s That’s Nuts (Box 1) and Jedda Cutlack’s Duffman (Box 5) both appeared to have strong claims on Saturday night’s final.

“There is plenty of talent in this field,” he said.

“But they are also quite young and inexperienced, race-wise. There are so many scenarios that could happen on Saturday night.

“One of those dogs could jump on the bunny and be away, clear.

“Or there could be interference. They are still unpredictable.”