Michael Stephenson is hoping Hara's Sarah can help him enjoy an even better time at this year’s Grafton Greyhound Racing Club's winter carnival.
The flying greyhound has won three on the spin and will go for another victory in the Clocktower Hotel Stakes (305m) at Wednesday’s meeting.
Queenslander Stephenson finished third in the overall trainer points standings at last year’s carnival and has brought some handy dogs south with him for 2014.
He hopes his charge can repeat her impressive win at the Grafton track last week over 407m.
“She’s definitely flying the flag for our kennel at the moment,” Stephenson said with a grin. “She’s just having good box draws.
“She had trouble the other day from box eight but she avoided the scrimmage and got the win.”
Hara’s Sarah only chalked up three wins from her first 17 starts but has really hit her straps in recent weeks.
She has chalked up a hat-trick of wins and four triumphs from her last five outings.
Dropping back under the 400m distance seems to have worked wonders for the bitch, who goes from box one on Wednesday night.
“I don’t think she will go much further than 400m,” Stephenson said. “That’s probably her limit right now.
“She’s just a handy little trier.
“I would be disappointed if she didn’t get the win on Wednesday night, that’s for sure.”
Experienced Tranquil Zac (box four) is the quickest over the distance in the race and likely poses the biggest threat to Hara’s Sarah.
The meeting is the second of this year’s annual carnival, which runs throughout June and July and offers more than $100,000 prize-money.
Stephenson, who is based at the Moreton Bay suburb of Bray Park, has had dogs for more than 40 years.
This will be third time the 66-year-old has attended the carnival.
“I wanted to come here for years and years,” Stephenson said.
“They really look after you here. They cannot do enough for us.
“They are unbelievable people here (and) it’s great to be here.”
The race is one of 12 on offer at Grafton and action starts at 3.11pm.
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