Ladbrokes Richmond Derby (G2)

Upset Rod's Biggest Success

By Jeff Collerson
He's Grand gave former council worker Rodney O'Brien far and away his biggest success in greyhound racing when he pulled off Friday night's mammoth upset to take out the $40,000 to the winner Ladbrokes Richmond Derby.

The Derby winner was bred by O'Brien and is a son of his bitch She's Grand, who cost the Blacktown owner-trainer just $3000 after being fully reared to 13 months of age. 

Having only 17th start, the 23 month old son of Fernando Bale and She's Grand led all the way to win the 520m Derby final in a nippy 29.49 after being sent out as a $34 outsider.

"I gave He's Grand a chance on Friday because his third to Zipping Maserati in arguably the toughest heat was an excellent run,'' O'Brien said.

"He's Grand pulled up well after that heat and I kept him on the lead in the week leading up to the final to ensure he was fresh enough to show good pace.

"I seldom trial my dogs in any case, I just free gallop them between races, that's all they need to show their best form.''

He's Grand is a litter brother to Agland Luai, who has won four of nine starts at Wentworth Park.

"I had wanted to keep Agland Luai because he was the only blue brindle dog in She's Grand's litter to Fernando Bale but I felt if you are breeding and are prepared to sell you can't pick and choose so I agreed to let his owner-trainer Jay Opetaia buy him,'' O'Brien said.

"Leo Vanderburg, who won the 2020 Richmond Oaks with Sniffy, had reared She's Grand and I was fortunate to be able to buy her at 13 months for such a small price.

"She had 146 starts for me and won 29 races as well as being placed on another 46 occasions so I guess her son's Richmond Derby win puts a dent in the theory that bitches need to be lightly raced if they are to become good producers.

"I would have liked to start He's Grand in Saturday night's heats of the group 1 Vic Peters Classic at Wentworth Park but he has to clearance trial at Wenty before he can race there so that ruling has made it impossible.

"Instead I will take him to Dapto on Thursday night for the $10,000 to the winner Silver Collar over 520m.

"I got involved with greyhounds in the late '60s through doing a favour for successful trainer Johnny Heard, who worked with me on the local council.

"Johnny's car was broken down and he asked me to drive him to breeder Joe Buckley's place at Picton so he could buy a pup.

"After that It wasn't long before I became interested and while the first dog I bought was not much good, he did win a race for me at SINGLETON.

"I had a break from the sport for several years but got back into it in 1985 when my son Steve and I bought a bitch called Alias Sue, who won at Wentworth Park and was handy enough to enable Steve to buy his first car from her earnings.

"I was encouraged to breed from She's Grand because she is a daughter of El Grand Senor and Glebe trainer Peter McCann, who is something of a breeding expert, assured me that bitches sired by that dog often produce quality offspring.

"She's Grand is due to be served next week by Mepunga Blazer, and after her son's Derby win I doubt I will have much trouble selling their puppies.''