Mick's Champ Claims Australian Cup Glory

LAST Tuesday was the third anniversary of the death of Mick Connell, and this coming Tuesday the anniversary of his funeral.

Sandwiched in between those dates is a fitting tribute to the man who wanted to own a greyhound but because of cancer never got to see his chosen pup.

That pup, now racing as Fernando Mick, smashed his rivals to win the Group 1 Australian Cup (525m) at The Meadows on Saturday night.

Paul Connell bred the dog by Fernando Bale and Noaki Moth. He and his dad Arthur decided to race the pup called Copper and Arthur's cousin Mick wanted in.

“Mick bought in when Copper was six months old and for the next six months Mick kept promising to come down and see his dog,” said Paul. “Unfortunately, Mick never got to see him.”

Cancer got Mick and his wife Jillian took over his share in Fernando Mick.

Jillian was there on Saturday night with the rest of the Connell family to cheer home “Mick” as he downed Baby Jaycee and Victa Damian to take his career to 101 starts for 35 wins, 21 seconds and 16 thirds for stakes of $845,000.

EVERGREEN WARRIOR

FERNANDO MICK was too good for his rivals in the Group 1 @sportsbetcomau #AustralianCup Final at @MelbourneGreys.

What an Unmissable performance from the old stager in start number 101.#GreyhoundRacing #PremierRacing pic.twitter.com/TucT5xHGe2

— WatchDog Racing (@WatchDogRacing) February 25, 2023

“My mum Sandra absolutely loved the dogs,” said Paul. “She and Mick would have been urging him home last night.”

Paul trained Fernando Mick for his first two starts, a dismal failure as $1.35 favourite on debut at Warragul, and a storming second there a week later.

“Work commitments forced me to give up his training,” said Paul.

“My brother-in-law Reno Lia and his mate Matt Evans have had dogs with David Geall for years and they suggested he might have a kennel for Copper.”

Fortunately, David had a kennel.

Since then he has become a racetrack star winning the G1 Hobart 1000.

Only legend Benjamin John and champ Tommy Shelby had previously won the Hobart 1000/Australian Cup double.

Add to that seconds in the Melbourne Cup and Maturity and a host of other Group placings and finals berths and a stud career now beckons.

“Paul was keen to retire him to stud straight after the Cup,” said David Geall.

“I'm going to take him to dinner during the week and discuss that. I'd like to head to the Perth Cup, The Sandgroper, the Golden Easter Egg, the Million Dollar Chase … all options for him.”

David Geall pinches himself often.

“It's numbing to realise we have won the Melbourne Cup twice, the Topgun, the Golden Easter Egg and now an Australian Cup,” he said.

Fernando Mick has done it!

4 years old, 101 starts. Fernando Mick, you are an absolute warrior ?

Congratulations to the Geall family & all connections on taking out the 2023 Australian Cup ? pic.twitter.com/u4AYE7cpr5

— Melbourne Greyhounds – The Meadows (@MelbourneGreys) February 25, 2023

“I reckon Copper will absolutely love Wentworth Park.

“To win the Grand Slam of Group 1 races in Victoria is something else,” said Geall.

He has become a stud dog maker in recent times.

My Redeemer is already No 5 on the Australian sires' list this year and Koblenz is just starting out on his stud career, popular with broodbitch owners.

My Redeemer is the sire of the winners of $10.3 million.

Toss in David's other sprint star, Ferdinand Boy (51 wins, $550,000) he of the domination of country Cups, and therein lies a story of Geall dedication and planning to produce the best.

“There are now so many stud dogs by Fernando Bale, and the number of broodbitches out there by him is staggering as well,” said Geall when discussing Fernando Mick's stud plans.

“But there are also so many daughters of Barcia Bale to come to them all.”

Paul Connell and his family have been living a dream for the past three years of Fernando Mick's racing career.

“He's been a bloody good dog,” said Paul. “David has been so patient with him, picking all the right races for him.

“We were a bit disappointed he did not get asked to go in The Phoenix, but we went to Hobart and won the 1000 instead.”

Despite his 101-start race career, David Geall says Fernando Mick has probably had only four trials in his entire career.

“I learnt from the great Alec Reid not to trial between races,” said David.

“It allows dogs to stay young despite what might appear to be long race careers.

“This dog has been so sound. He nicked a webbing once and that's the only injury he has ever had.”