Shane Ellis loves his trips to the Northern Rivers and he thinks Velocity Zoe">Zoe can make it another enjoyable journey down the Pacific Highway.
The sprinter will jump from box three in the first heat of Friday's Group 2 Lismore Workers Club Cup aiming to make it three wins from three at the track.
Queenslander Ellis has enjoyed notable success in the region, winning the 2011 Group 3 Charcoal Inn Casino Cup with Cawbourne Smash.
Velocity Zoe faces a tough heat including Zipping Summah (pictured, box two) and local hope Miner’s Moss in box five but Queenslander Ellis is looking forward to heading south again.
“I think it helps she has done well there before, especially as Lismore is a tight track," he said.
“She is a mad railer so I think she is boxed okay.
“I think she has a chance here.”
Ellis has only trained Velocity Zoe for her last four starts after she was passed onto him by gun trainer and friend Tony Brett.
They have made a good partnership, with Velocity Zoe’s two wins from her last three starts taking her record to seven victories in 19 outings.
Her two previous wins at Lismore were both over 420m but she has been a handy performer in her home state over 520m.
“The first time I saw her I knew she had potential,” Ellis said.
“She has shown heaps of ability but hasn’t had that many race starts."
Ellis has been training intermittently for about 12 years after becoming “hooked” through family.
He trains from his five-acre property at Morayfield, just outside Brisbane, and combines his duties with a job doing promotional work.
“It’s good looking after the dogs and getting the best out of them,” the 44-year-old said.
“You know that the next day could bring bad luck but as long as you get the best out of the greyhound, that’s all you can do.
“We get greyhounds from when they are broken in. It’s great seeing their progression, getting better and better and enjoying their racing.
“Every win is satisfying (but) if you get through to the final of a Group race like this then it gives you a buzz.”
Brett has brought last year’s winner Regal Lauryn back for a title defence and she jumps in the third heat.
Another from Mackay’s kennels, Zipping Angel, goes in the second heat alongside well-travelled Exhibitionist.
Cyndie’s Special and Visualize It are also ones to watch.
The $40,000-to-the-winner final takes place next Friday.
This is the latest leg of the Thank Dog it’s Friday series, which showcases the best Friday night racing at regional NSW tracks.
For more information on the series and the chance to win VIP tickets, click here.
For Lismore Friday fields, form and expert tips, click here.
