The Act Of Kindness Behind Mia's Dapto Debut

A grand act of generosity on the strength of the dearest of friendships is the inspiring backstory to Mia Magnifico's remarkable Dapto debut last Thursday night.

Owned and trained by Neville Brown, Mia Magnifico, a daughter of Fernando Bale and Good Odds Meghan, scored by 10 lengths in an electrifying 29.52, the third fastest debut performance ever at the circuit for the 520 metre journey.

And while Brown was over the moon with the slashing debut success, it is an act of generosity by Frank and Tracey Hurst in late 2021 which has filled the Bargo conditioner with gratitude. 

"I was blown away at the time – still am," Brown said.

"I'd had a quiet run and Frank and Tracey said that when they whelped their next litter they'd give me a pup. Then at 12 weeks they gifted me this girl. Frank picked her out and I can't thank them both enough.

"We've been friends for a long time. For them to do that, it meant a lot. As I said, I was blown away."

Bred in the purple, Mia Magnifico, a repeat mating to the cross that produced Group 1 Dapto Megastar winner Good Odds Emma, boasts a pedigree that suggests she'd more than hold her own on the track.

"As a pup in the yard she gave me that feeling she'd be pretty handy," Brown said.

"Then she went to Cudal to break in – pretty much out of the yard – and went 18.80 which is as quick a pup as I've had break in. 

"I'm not getting carried away because we've only won a maiden but she's pretty exciting. Still a bit to learn but very exciting."

Adding to Brown's excitement about the 21 month old's future is the fact she carved out a 12.46 run home in her Dapto romp.

"A while back I trialled her and the boxes didn't open and it's taken her a while to get her box manners back," Brown said.

"Even the other night she didn't come out like she can. Early on she was really sizzling out of the lids. She went 5.46 to the first split last week but has gone 5.38 in a trial.

"If she gets that length or so back early and finishes off like she can, you start to think what she might be capable of."

No stranger to a topline greyhound, having prepared multiple group winning sprinter Tuaiki and top racer turned stud dog Swift Fancy just to name a couple, Brown knows what a good dog looks like.

And following a few years in the doldrums, although enjoying success with My Mate Kate in last year's Nowra Puppy Classic, Brown is hoping Mia Magnifico proves the catalyst for a return to group racing.

"People that breed and race their own will know what it's like – sometimes for whatever reason things just don't work out like you hope," Brown said.

"You do everything right, put all the work in, but it just doesn't pan out.

"I can't thank Frank and Tracey enough for their act of kindness and they're as happy as I am that she's turned out to be pretty good.

"Down the track she'll hopefully make a nice brood but for now I'm excited to see where she takes us."

Mia Magnfico, from a litter which has won 24 of 81 starts, will step out at Dapto again this Thursday night.