Little Elsie’s brilliant win in her heat of last Thursday’s Country Motor Company Classic at Dapto was a fitting reward for Vince Bennett, father of the greyhound’s trainer Amy Bennett.
Vince endured a tough day after having to deputise at Dapto for 21-year-old Amy when his daughter was hospitalised and had to undergo an operation.
"I had started work at 6.30 Thursday morning, got home around 2pm to feed the dogs, and then took off for Dapto with Little Elsie," Vince explained.
"I was so tired that after kennelling I slept in the car until it was time for Little Elsie’s race so I didn’t see any of the other heats.
"I was doubtful she could beat Exhibitionist, the Queensland dog trained by Tony Brett, because when we trialled Little Elsie over the 297m at Dapto she only ran 17.10 and Tony’s dog clocked 16.90.
"But Little Elsie seemed to worry Exhibitionist out of it at the first turn when she drove hard into the bend.
"Little Elsie will go close to winning the final if there is not too much pace outside her.
"For some reason she likes to be drawn in the middle but box three would be great, I don’t think she has been beaten from that draw."
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The fastest qualifier for Thursday’s Country Motor Company Classic at Dapto was Grand Hombre, a recent addition to Vicki Prest’s kennels at Young.
Grand Hombre was third away but quickly surged to the lead, stopping the clock at 16.95, .02 faster than Little Elsie.
But while Grand Hombre was impressive Vicki is looking forward to stepping him up to 500m plus.
"I hate having short course dogs and he will run 500m for sure," Vicki said.
"As far as the box draw goes I’ll be happy if he can get box three, or at least be in the front line, consisting of the odd numbered boxes.
"That will give him time to settle down.
"Grand Hombre did well from box five in his heat but things worked out for him because the dog in box four crashed to the rails and the dog in box six ran wide."
