George and Wally's Boy have their day in the sun

By Jordan Gerrans

Veteran dog man George Kadniak has a simple mentality when it comes to preparing his crop of greyhounds.

If they are fit and happy – then they’ll be racing.

So, when kennel favourite Wally’s Boy recently ticked past 160 career starts with just one win beside his name, Kadniak never considered pulling up stumps on the red fawn dog’s racing tenure.

The Park Ridge South conditioner was rewarded for his persistence and love for his racing animal on Wednesday at Capalaba when Wally's Boy nabbed the second victory of his career at his 162^nd effort.

The result was a popular one within the greyhound game with Kadniak referred to as a 'very nice person' following the win by one industry veteran. 

The 74-year-old believes Wally's Boy is a bit like his trainer, he just fronts up every day and enjoys what he is doing, even when they might not be tasting regular success.

“The dog loves racing and he has never had any injuries,” Kadniak said.

“He absolutely loves running so that is why he is still going. He is a fit and happy dog.

“He loves it, he absolutely loves it. He comes home from the races and he has a lay down. I love racing my dogs.”

Wally's Boy, who Kadniak also owns, started from the five alley down the Capalaba straight on Wednesday in a sixth-grade event.

Despite not winning since January of 2023 at Ipswich, the son of Maurice Minor was sensationally backed from $17 into a $3.70 shot and won accordingly.

He put more than a three-length margin on the field in the end.

While Wally’s Boy has not done much winning in his lengthy career, the four-year-old chaser has not run in the money very often either.

He has placed on only 18 occasions.

The last time he had run in the top two before Wednesday was back in March of last year at Albion Park. 

But, as Kadniak details, he rarely runs at the tail of the field and regularly posts fourth and fifth-place finishes, which helps keep him in work.

“He is a lovely dog and when we do retire him, he will find a home straight away,” he said.

“He is a good-looking dog.

“He is an unbelievable dog; he is really one out of the box and I wish I had a kennel full of dogs like him.

“Even if he does not win, he has a great temperament.”

With his kennel of nine in work, Kadniak says his beloved animals are helping keep him alive.

The experienced trainer has long battled emphysema and he says the routine of working his dogs in the morning and afternoon – as well as going to the races – has been crucial in keeping him active and healthy.

Kadniak was employed as a labourer for much of his time in the workforce before helping out his son Chris run a takeaway shop in more recent years.

Chris has also prepared dogs at points in his life and last took a chaser to the races in early 2021.

Wally’s Boy was bred by leading dog man Tom Tzouvelis and did his early racing in North Queensland for Brad Belford.

He had 14 starts for Belford and has raced under the Kadniak banner ever since. 

Wally’s Boy is a litter brother to Tzouvelis’ former top stayer Amendola who won on 24 occasions.

“I have not considered retiring him because he is going better than my young dogs,” Kadniak said.

“If he does get an injury eventually then I will be retiring him because I do not want to push him.

“He just plugs along, week after week, regardless of if it is one or two races a week. He is not running last; he has run fourth a few times recently.

“He is an old plugger, he is a bit like me, I suppose (laughs).”

Wally’s Boy has raced at Capalaba in his last 11 starts but Kadniak is keen to get him to a race at The Q on Thursday.

Kadniak has been training for many years and arguably had his greatest successes with chasers such as Smashniak Double, Smashniak Gold and Specified.