Glen Bayo may still be a little wet behind the ears but he is proving a fast learner.
Kiama-based trainer Bayo, who has handy Sir Lancelot chasing a ninth win in 28 starts in the first of five Goulburn To Richmond Sprint Event Series (350m) heats at Tuesday’s Goulburn meeting, has only been training about a year.
Sir Lancelot is his first racing greyhound but they’ve enjoyed a good partnership, with the sprinter’s record including two wins at the Sydney’s renowned Wentworth Park.
That was an impressive effort, especially considering Bayo had needed driving directions to the track beforehand.
“I had to ask my mate John Gannon where exactly Wentworth Park was,” he said with a grin.
“When I realised he had won I got a lump in my throat.
“I was grinning from ear-to-ear walking back to the boxes.
“I love meeting new people and the buzz you get seeing your dog win a race is fantastic.
“I think I’m hooked.”
Bayo, who combines training with his job as a power station operator, has previously owned greyhounds before deciding to give training a go.
The 49-year-old had to learn his new trade fast.
“It was a little bit scary for me at first," he said.
“I had to go on a quick building course for the kennel in the backyard and learn all the rules for my licence.
“I had some great people around me who have been wonderful.
“My partner is resisting selling up and buying a property so I’m still a backyard trainer.
“You dream of having that Group winner and who knows? Maybe one day I will.”
This will be a first race in more than three months for Sir Lancelot due to a combination of a wrist injury and a bout of acidosis.
If he is fully sharp then he should be tough to stop here as he is certainly a handy performer on his day and is boxed well in seven.
He has a total of eight wins to his name and run top greyhounds including NSW’s current best sprinter Tommy Brislane and Stilton Blue close in the past.
“We are quietly confident,” Bayo said. “He has a good box draw and a stable race.
“If he goes well then I’ll probably step up in distance to Bulli and then maybe have a go over 520m at Nowra.
I would love to see him go to Wentworth Park and break 30 seconds (for 520m).”
Other notables at Goulburn include Cool Onyx in race seven, race eight’s Conamara Max and Natural Player (race nine).
Ten races are on the card and action starts at 3.09pm.
For Goulburn fields, form and expert tips, click here.
