A dodgy GPS, a betting sojourn that lasted for more than a decade, a run in with airport security, missed flights and a blossoming friendship. These are all elements that characterised Iva Vision’s outstanding Group 2 Macro Meats Shootout victory at Sandown Park on Thursday night.

Queenslander Brian Young, the father of trainer Peter Young, has been through it all on his way to winning the unique four-dog Shootout with a greyhound that isn’t fussed by anything.

“We tried everything to try and put him off,” Brian laughed after the race.

When Brian arrived in Melbourne three weeks ago he was number one on the trial sheet for Sandown Park. By the time he arrived at the track he was number 59 – trials were almost over.

All this because of a dodgy GPS that led him on a route from Tullamarine airport to Sandown Park with no tolls. The trip should have taken no more than an hour.

“I couldn’t believe how bad the traffic was, I reckon I went three or four kilometres in about two hours and I thought I was going to miss the trial session all together!”

“The Club were so understanding and still let him trial and I’m very thankful to them for that.”

The calamity didn’t end there however, after the trial session Brian decided to try and sleep in the car but was interrupted by a Springvale local in the early hours of the morning.

This led him to go to the airport, where a wrong turn and an inventive parking spot attracted the attention of security.

“After the bloke knocked on the car outside the track I thought it would be best to go to the airport. I must have parked in the wrong spot because when I woke up there was security all around the car and they weren’t happy.”

In the midst of all this, Iva Vision was unflustered, he had run 29.27 in his trial and was sound and healthy.

Now, Brian has a new ally in Melbourne with Kel Greenough and his family taking him in. Iva Vision has settled in beautifully to Melbourne conditions and will stay at the Pearcedale kennels for the TAB Melbourne Cup heats.

“Having Kel help me out is amazing, he and his family have been so good to me and I’m so happy I get to share this with them.”

In the build up to the race, the Young camp had unwavering confidence in their chaser and his ability to win the $50,000 feature. So much so that Brian broke his 10-year punting sojourn because he knew his greyhound would win the Shootout.

“I don’t know if it was more ignorance or confidence,” he remembers “I saw his price and thought that it was too good to refuse because I knew he was a good chance in the race.”

The race itself was blown wide open for Iva Vision with the scratching of Banjo Boy. Without the Cranbourne Cup winner in the field it meant that the son of Ivan Brown and Visualisation had a chance to lead the field.

The race saw Iva Vision (box 3 – $4.30) lead the field with favourite Allen Deed (box 7 – $1.90) also getting away cleanly. Around the first turn, Awesome Project (box 5 – $4.00) ran wide and checked Allen Deed blowing the race wide open. Oakvale Destiny (rug 9, box 1 – $5.50) pressured the leader around the home turn but the rails run was blocked by the winner.

Iva Vision’s career record now stands at 12 wins and three placings from 18 starts, with the $50,000 winner-take-all Shootout prize elevating his career earnings beyond $100,000.

Iva Vision’s next assignment will be a heat of the Group 1 TAB Melbourne Cup next Thursday night and if successful, trainer Peter Young will put his fear of flying to one-side and join his father for the world’s richest greyhound race.

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WATCH: Iva Vision wins the 2014 Group 2 Macro Meats Shootout

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PIC: Brian Young and Iva Vision after the Shootout. Inset Iva Vision leads the Shootout field. Courtesy Clint Anderson.
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