No matter if it’s a Maiden win or Group 1 triumph being first past the post means a lot to any owner or trainer, but for Joe Borg a win in this Thursday’s Group 2 McKenna Memorial would mean more than any.
In May, Borg’s fellow trainer and close friend Steve McKenna lost his battle with cancer. A win in this Thursday’s feature will see Borg dedicate the victory to McKenna.
“I knew Steve for about 15 years but only really got close with him over the last five years – we’d always meet at the racetrack, have tea and share a few stories,” said Borg.
“I met him at the Ballarat greyhound track, we got talking and our friendship developed from there – he was well known throughout the sport and really liked by all the trainers.”
Although McKenna was a terrific bloke, his training ability is not to be forgotten. Some of McKenna’s achievements were winning the 2003 Silver Chief (Jimmy Neutron), 2003 Rookie Rebel (No Shame) and more recently the 2012 Geelong Cup with Hurunui Hitman (pictured).
“From memory he’d won about half-a-dozen Group races – he had a lot of success in the sport.”
McKenna had run a carpet cleaning business and worked as a mechanic throughout his life, and he eventually took up training greyhounds full time in his 40s.
“The name of the race is ironic, as I don’t think there’s any relation between the two (Steve and GRV Hall of Fame inductee, John ‘Jack’ McKenna),”
“He only passed away in May, he fought the cancer really hard – he was having a red hot go at it.”
At one stage Borg was the trainer of many greyhounds previously trained by McKenna, however is now only in the care of one.
“Earlier this year I took some of Steve’s dogs to train as he was ill. I was basically just a caretaker trainer – if they won I’d assist him with wages and try to look after him financially – I did my best to help him out as a mate of mine.
“The only greyhound I’ve still got that Steve trained is Agent Jack, who will be racing Thursday night (race 12) – the others were sent back to their owner in Western Australia.”
As McKenna was only 55-years-old when he passed, it hit Borg hard.
“Life’s too short and we have to make the most of it – to win this race and dedicate it to Steve would be great, it’d be fitting for me.”
Borg is no stranger to the McKenna Memorial having won the race by the barest of margins in 2013, with the versatile Proven Impala.
“We had a great battle that night with a tough little greyhound called Irma Bale and we were fortunate enough to run her down right on the line – that was a special moment in my life and I was pretty pleased on the night I can assure you.”
Ballerino lines up in box four in this year’s edition for Borg, and he believes he won’t be the only one cheering him home on the night.
“Steve and I will have communication from above, don’t worry he’ll be watching on the night – hopefully we can get a great start and get some clear running. That’s all we need.”
The Group 2 McKenna Memorial headlines a terrific night of chasing this Thursday night at Sandown Park, with the feature to jump at 9.35pm.
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Proven Impala defeats Irma Bale in the the 2013 McKenna Memorial.
