Whoever wins this year’s Casino Beef Week Cup Final will be popular – but Darryl Armfield will likely get the loudest cheers of all.
The owner/trainer has Macie’s BOOTS going in the $3000-the-winner race this Friday.
Every other contender in the final is from the Northern Rivers region, but Armfield is the only hometown hopeful involved.
The 39-year-old has been receiving some welcome encouragement this week and said it would be magical if his charge could triumph.
“I’ve had a couple of mates coming up to me saying they hope I can do it,” he said.
“I suppose there’s a bit of pressure but it should be good.
“I’m looking for my first ‘big’ trophy or rug. It would be lovely to get it here.”
Victory is no pipe dream either, with Macie’s BOOTS carrying some decent form into the race.
The box four dog has 10 wins and 10 other placings from 29 competitive starts and has an impressive record at the track.
He has only failed to place once in eight previous outings at Queen Elizabeth Park and won last week’s heat from the same box.
“I think the dog in box eight (Black Dolce) is the biggest threat,” Armfield said. "He will need to cross (Macie's BOOTS) though.
“I’m having a good run at the moment. I have a good little team of dogs around me with a lot of ability.
“I’m pretty excited and I definitely think he has a decent chance.”
Armfield has been training dogs for about three years after encouragement from family.
He endures the ups and downs of the sport with a philosophical attitude.
“It’s one of those sports that ‘equalises’ things for us all,” he said.
“You can be on top for a week and at the bottom the next.
“I’m used to it being a rollercoaster. There’s not much you can do about it.
“You just hope that things end up working out for you.”
Armfield said greyhound racing brought plenty of enjoyment for his nearest and dearest.
“It’s a sport for the family,” he said.
“Our kids love the dogs. They cheer them on when they win and if they lose, they say things like ‘another dog must have stepped on his toe’."
