McInerney & Rennie enjoy sponsored trip to The Q
Peter Fenemor • February 11th, 2026 9:48 AM • 4 min read
The Christchurch GRC’s policy of sending young greyhound license holders across the Tasman to experience Australian Group racing continued last week with Blake McInerney and Bre Rennie attending the huge evening of chasing action at Queensland’s The Q complex.
Around 12 youngsters have benefited from the trans-Tasman experience, with more planned in coming months.
It was an experience of a lifetime for both Blake (20) and Bre (23), who were accompanied by Christchurch Board members Jonathan McInerney and Howard Anderton.
Blake McInerney was born into greyhound racing with dad Jonathon and grandfather John being hugely successful in the industry for numerous decades. Blake has been hands on with greyhounds for as long as he can remember and while he helps dad, he also successfully trains his own small team of chasers.
“I love it – I wouldn’t have it any other way,” enthused Blake. “I have enjoyed and learnt so much being involved in greyhound racing.
“Being at The Q sure was an amazing experience. The three-track venue is a real eyeopener – a whole different world to what we have here back at home.”
“It’s breathtaking over there, I have never seen anything like that before. There’s quite a few differences to their race meeting as to what we do here,” explained Bre.
Two outstanding Group 1 races featured during Thursday’s meeting on the Q2 Parklands track.
The current Melbourne Cup title holder Canja Mayhem flew home late to land his last stride win over Cumbria Chrissy in the Garrard’s Gold Bullion Cup over 520m, recording a slick 25.54.
The $250,000 winning stake took the Jessica Hopkins trained star canine’s career stake earnings to over $1million, the result of 12 wins from just 22 races.
The 710m Garrard’s Gold Cup saw an emphatic 40.85 track record win to Fade To Black with the Tony Brett trained stayer easily leading home leading stayer Without A Trace by 2.50 lengths.
“Those races were outstanding. Canja Mayhem is a very talented greyhound. To win a million dollars in just 22 races is unheard off – he’s part of a select few.
“I enjoy watching staying races and we saw a fantastic staying race over there. They race with the pace fully on throughout,” reflected McInerney.
Over the last month Blake McInerney has been sighted travelling the length of the country. In January he made three trips to the Manukau Stadium, plus one to Cambridge. In between times he travelled south from his Darfield base to race at Ascot Park meetings.
“I love it. Doing the miles is all part of the role. I’m back down south tomorrow and I’ll be up at the Manawatu Raceway next week,” he advised.
When asked if he’s considering a move across the Ditch, McInerney responded with, “Quite possibly, although probably not to Queensland – it’s too hot there.
“Victoria would be an ideal place to go as there’s more opportunities and plenty of racing there at various tracks,” explained McInerney.
And Rennie may also possibly finish up in Victoria as she explains. “I have been working with greyhounds for a couple of years, helping out Malcolm Grant before he retired.
“I have been floating around since then. I might make a move to Melbourne towards the end of the year. I want to stay involved in greyhounds – they certainly know how to work their way into your heart.
“It was a big learning curve going over to The Q and I certainly appreciate and thank the Christchurch club for the opportunity,” she added.
“I really appreciate the opportunity provided by the Christchurch club to go over there. It was a special trip and yes, it was great to see what possible openings there are over there,” expressed McInerney.
Blake McInerney also advises that his greyhound Eight Bells (Race 10) is a leading prospect during this afternoon’s Southland meeting. “She races good down there and she’s dropping back in class.”
