Fernando Grand equals Leeroy Rogue’s 7yr-old Capalaba track record
Fernando Grand stepped out for his 18th start down the 366m straight at Capalaba on Sunday afternoon and served up a blistering run to equal Leeroy Rogue's seven-year-old track record.
The fastest time over the trip is 19.22, set seven years ago by Leeroy Rogue on October 5, 2016.
Trained by Gary Mackay, Fernando Grand lined up in the best eight contest Errol Suell Appreciation as a +280 second favourite with top online greyhound bookmakers.
Jumping from box five, he got out to hit the lead early and held the front the whole trip, beating home -142.86 race favourite, Valhalla, by 2 lengths.
Capalaba 366m Best 8 Sept. 24, 2023 – Fernando Grand (19.22 – Equal Track Record) T: Gary Mackay
His last two runs down the straight at the bayside straight track have been run in best of the day times of 19.45 on September 10, and 19.41 on August 27, showing the speed that Fernando Grand possesses.
His last start, on September 14, at Albion Park, resulted in a fifth-place finish over 520m.
At the 520m journey in town, Fernando Grand finished third in the Queensland National Sprint State Final this year on August 10, 2.25 lengths off the winner Bear's Bullet.
The 2021 Group 2 Queensland Derby finalist relishes the Capalaba straight, having had 18 starts at the track and trip for ten wins and eight minor placings, and now claims the title of equal track record holder to add to those results.
A son of Fernando Bale and Precious Sal, his speed is a throwback to his bloodline, with his dam having run the journey at Capalaba in 19.54.
Fernando Grand is from Precious Sal's first October 2019 litter of eight dogs and three bitches, which has produced nine individual winners, including 2022 Group 1 Dapto Megastar runner-up Lochinvar Lona and near Grafton track record winner Fernando Diva.
Bred by NSW breeder Margaret Dwyer, he is also a half brother to rising one-turn track talent and Maitland Future Stars finalist War Hawk, who is sired by Barcia Bale.
Fernando Grand is himself a consistent performer with 22 wins and 28 minor placings to his name from 67 career starts having banked $99,125 in prizemoney since debuting in August 2021.