Royal Rowdy has her playful side but she should be all business at Monday night’s Grafton meeting.
The experienced greyhound has her 45th career outing in the www.greyhoundproductsdirect.com.au Stakes (407m) at the Northern Rivers track.
She racked up the latest of her 13 wins last Thursday over the same distance at the track, clocking an impressive 23.11 to boot.
Trainer Greg Hancock is confident his charge can secure another success if she can jump well.
“Once she gets to the front, she is hard to stop,” he said. “There’s always some handy dogs at Grafton but they’re not going to run her down if she can lead.
“She’s been going absolutely fantastic recently. I wish I had another ten like her.”
Royal Rowdy will go from the six on Monday night – a box that certainly agrees with her.
She’s won on three of her five competitive starts from the box, including her latest triumph.
The solid campaigner is the fastest in the race, with a distance best of 22.81, and has multiple placings at Grafton to her name.
“I love taking her to Grafton,” Hancock said. “It’s a great surface, it suits her and there’s great people there.”
Royal Rowdy keeps Hancock on his toes but he is hoping she has plenty of racing gas in the tank yet.
“She’s a handful,” he said.
“If you go the kennels then she’s up and down and wants to play with me. She’s the same on the track as well.
“That’s the character of the bitch – she’s a goer.
“She’s only just over three years old so I think she has at least another 12 months of racing left in her.”
Competition is likely from Blimzilla (box two), who has a decent recent record over 407m at Grafton.
Racing is a real labour of love for Hancock, who is based in the tiny Northern Rivers village of Mummulgum, close to Casino.
The 63-year-old has been working with greyhounds for most of his life after being introduced to the sport by family.
“I love how the greyhounds all have different personalities,” he said. “They are all friends of mine.
“Actually, my wife and I call them our children – that’s what they are like.
“You try and enjoy the highs and hope they stay, because you know the lows are just around the corner waiting to pinch you on the bottom.
“When my greyhounds win, it’s a real high. I feel like I’m 21 again.”
Ten races are on the card and action starts at 7.13pm.
For Grafton fields, form and expert tips, click here.
