Brilliant box manners could mean a Silver Dollars payday for ‘Mum’

By Pat McLeod

Memory Of Mum’s excellent box manners has placed Toowoomba trainer Mark Saal on a path that may lead to his inaugural Molly Campbell Silver Dollars trophy.

The Aussie Infrared x Brockie Magic bitch has drawn Box 4 in the third of four heats of the prestigious 520m event on the Ladbrokes Q2 Parklands circuit on Thursday night.

The ‘Molly Campbell’ feature, named after the publisher of the long-running Queensland Greyhound Form Guide, was first contested in 1974.

In that time this age-restricted race has trumpeted the arrival of some of the best chasers to emerge in Queensland.

Saal hopes that is again the case this year, especially if his promising Memory Of Mum can salute.

“This is a historic and notable race series,” he said.

“I haven’t had the privilege of winning it so far, but this year I am hopeful. You can never really be more than that.”

Memory Of Mum is owned and bred by Warwick dog man Pat Gainey, who named the bitch in honour of his mother, who passed away about 12 months ago.

Another of the litter, Wildash Jane (Robert Cooke), is in the opening heat on Thursday night.

Saal says Memory Of Mum has the potential to put herself in the race on Thursday night with blistering speed out of the boxes.

“Memory Of Mum’s best attribute is her box manners,” he said.

“She is the best box dog I’ve had for many, many years.

“If you go 5.04 or 5.05 at The Q you are doing pretty well. She does that regularly, but for her it's actually the first 15 metres that is the standout.

“Her first 15 metres, she is as quick as anything going around. That is her big plus.

“The box doesn't really matter. Box 4 on Thursday night isn't a problem as long as she gets out like she normally does.

“If she does lead, she has got a very good second section as well. So, if she jumps, she is a good chance of putting four or five lengths on them.

“She is consistent, but of course she is not a machine and there’s always a chance that she may miss the kick.

“She goes into this race with the fastest time of the runners in this heat, but they are still young dogs who can improve quickly.

“You can never count your chickens. However, my dog certainly goes into the race as a definite chance.”

Saal is rapt with Memory Of Mum’s race performances to date – six wins and four placings from 14 starts.

He believes the next stage of her development as a race dog is ‘exciting’.

“I am hoping that she will continue to mature and strengthen and shave a tenth or two off her time,” he said.

“That would take her to the next level and would be a significant progression as a race dog.

“If she could get down to the 29.6/29.7 in her next six or so runs that would be really good.

“At that time you are competitive in most races.”

Saal, who currently has a kennel of seven race dogs, said he normally races his own dogs, but didn’t hesitate when Gainey offered him Memory Of Mum.

“There is always room in my kennel for a good dog,” he said laughing.

“Pat and I go back a fair way, we are good mates. He always finds room at his place to rear my litters.

“He raced her for her first three and then she came into my kennel.

“Pat bought the mother, Brockie Magic, off the Burmans, and this is a very nice litter.”