Outsider set to Grace in McKenna


Part-owner Scott Grace has high hopes She’s Got Grace can bring her best to Sandown Park in tomorrow night’s $58,000 group 2 McKenna Memorial.

The McKenna Memorial will be her and her owners first engagement in a group final.

“It’s a great thrill. She’s the second greyhound I’ve ever owned,” said Grace, who works in the water industry.

She’s Got Grace or Indy as she’s known at home, was purchased by Grace at three months of age from respected breeder and group 1 Sapphire Crown winning trainer Ashlee Terry.

“Most of the litter were already sold and there was only three left to choose from. She came up to us and pretty much chose us. She started jumping on us so we thought ‘yep, she’s the one’.”

Indy didn’t exactly set the world on fire in the early half of her racing career. She took seven starts to break maiden status and was still racing at tier 3 level 30 starts into her career.

“She’s had five trainers over her time. She ran really quick at Geelong one day so we knew she had ability. Her form tapered off a bit so we thought we’d give her a go elsewhere.

“She ended up with Steve Clarke, he had to give her up due to his new role at Traralgon (Greyhound Racing Club). I got onto Rob Britton who was willing to give her a go. She was trialing 2-3 months before she raced, she wasn’t going very well so Rob wasn’t sure how she was going to go. After a win at Geelong we found out she didn’t really give her best in trials but on race days she’d switch on.”

Grace heads the Ring The Bell syndicate made up of long time mates from both Mulgrave and Elsternwick football clubs. His trigger to get involved was through an existing passion of racing and punting. The syndicate have had part-ownership of horses but have found owning a greyhound a more economical alternative.

“We find owning a greyhound much easier. As an owner it costs nothing while they’re racing. We’ve had horses that might have three or four starts in six months, but with greyhounds they’re racing most weeks. We thought there’d be more excitement and more races to watch.”

She’s Got Grace will start a long outsider in tomorrow night’s feature – currently rated a $35 chance by tab.com.au.

“Hopefully she can get across. She’s hit and miss sometimes, but she can really ping the lids so if she crosses them she might be off and gone.

“I’ve seen odds of $50 out there so it’d be rude not to have a crack.”

TAB are projecting a $50,000 First4 pool in tomorrow night’s McKenna Memorial.

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DFD

Jason Adams
About Jason Adams - Racing Operations Coordinator at Sandown Park. Over 8 years involvement in greyhound racing and one of the sport's biggest and most passionate fans.
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