Caption: Merv Papworth

By DAVID BRASCH

HE’LL be 81 come June but nothing can stop Merv Papworth heading down to the Caringbah TAB most weeks, not for a bet, but to watch his rising five-year-old bitch Fernando Diva race … and usually win.

Merv and his trainer Terry Jordan, way up at Ettrick on the Northern Rivers, have become the closest of friends, joined by greyhound racing success and what success it has been.

Their first venture together was Fernando Blaster (Fernando Bale-Amy Lyndan), who in 44 starts won 21, was placed nine times and earned $157,000.

To the time of writing, Fernando Diva, their second venture together, has started 69 times for 28 wins , 20 placings and $61,000.

‘The Blaster’ was a racetrack star for Merv and Terry, running track records and winning the Group 2 Lismore Cup and Group 3 Casino Cup and being a multiple Group 1 finalist.

That sort of success deserved an encore.

“I was looking for another dog after Blaster and Terry rang to say Sarah Monaghan had a litter by Fernando Bale from Precious Sal,” said Merv.

“The price was $8000 and while they were a bit more than I wanted to spend, I bought the dark brindle bitch on Terry’s advice.”

Named Fernando Diva the bitch has always shown great ability but since January 1 this year, she has become a “changed dog”.

“Terry’s wife Lyn said the bitch was different in the past six months. She’s become much more friendly and even goes looking for a pat from time to time,” said Merv.

And it has certainly shown in her race performances.

Mixing Masters and FFA racing, Fernando Diva has won 13 of her past 20 starts. She is undefeated in Masters racing, unbeaten in six starts at Grafton and amazingly her record from boxes four and six is remarkable, six from seven from the six, and nine from 15 from box four.

“These dogs have changed my life,” admitted Merv. “And they keep me going. And my family have all become so involved following their success.”

Unfortunately, ‘The Blaster’ had a life-changing setback some time ago.

Terry stood him at stud and he got nine litters on the ground, but his one undescended testicle saw him have small litters among those.

“A lump developed in him and Terry rushed him to the vet who diagnosed cancer, so he had to have both testicles removed,” said Merv.

“There are a couple of semen straws still about and Terry and I have discussed finding a nice Barcia Bale bitch to put to him.”

The immediate target for the Papworth-Jordan combination is to breed with Fernando Diva “whenever she comes on season”.

“We got the pink card for her only recently and we are looking around for likely stud dogs to suit her now,” said Merv.

While Merv, Terry and his wife Lyn are the best of friends, Merv and Terry met only occasionally when Fernando Blaster ran through the National Derby series in 2018.

“Lyn is forever asking me to come up and stay with them,” said Merv.

Not to rest on their laurels, Merv now has a young dog called Rick’s Express (Pindari Express-Tribal Magic) just starting to race and showing promise.

And with the breeding plans for Fernando Diva starting to happen, there will be no stopping Merv Papworth on his regular trips to the Caringbah TAB.

But, with the rising five-year-old Fernando Diva in peak career form, those breeding plans are on hold indefinitely.