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Peter O’Reilly hopes his veteran Yogi Blue can find the elusive ingredient all greyhounds need for Friday's Group 2 Lismore Workers Club Cup (520m) – luck.
The experienced chaser has his 80th career start when he jumps from box seven in the $40,000-to-the-winner race.
O’Reilly’s much-travelled greyhound has recorded 23 wins in his career but has yet to win a Group race in a handful of attempts.
He narrowly escaped placings in the recent Townsville Cup and Bob Payne Spring Sprints but his Queensland owner/trainer thinks it could finally be his sprinter’s moment to shine.
“He’s the unluckiest dog I have trained,” O’Reilly said.
“In Townsville a dog fell over in front of him just when he looked like he had the race. He’s been unlucky with box draws as well.
“He’s is boxed well here (though) and as long as we gets out okay, he has a chance.”
Yogi Blue, who is pricing pre-race at $6 on the TAB, enjoyed a solid display in last week’s heats, finishing a nose behind Walk With Faith in 30.27.
That was a debut performance at the track but with his solid record, including two wins and four placings from the seven box, demands respect.
“He’s a hard chaser and been a good dog,” O’Reilly said.
“He did well last week and should go better for the run.”
O’ Reilly, who is based in the Ipswich suburb of Yamanto, ran a pet food supplying business before deciding to give training a crack himself about five years ago.
He won his first ever race at Ipswich with Mary Hoppins and has been hooked ever since, with his daughter Amy now also a successful trainer too.
“That was me buggered,” O’Reilly said with a grin. “I should have stopped there.
“We’ve had a big year for greyhounds we have bred ourselves and done well.
“It’s a great feeling when you win a race – even now after five years I still love it – and it’s great being involved in these Group races.”
Bill’s Fantasy (box two) is pricing favourite on the TAB at $3.50 with box one’s Northern Rivers hope Love Kills $6.
Fastest heat qualifier Birkdale Beauty (box eight) is $4.50.
This is the latest leg of the Thank Dog it’s Friday series, which showcases regional racing in a primetime Friday night slot.
The race is one of ten on offer at Lismore with action starting at 7.18pm.
For Lismore Friday fields, form and expert tips, click here.
Box Draw for the Lismore Workers Club Cup (TAB Fixed Odds price in brackets):1. Love Kills ($6); 2. Bill’s Fantasy ($3.50); 3. Mal Rose Hi ($13); 4. Walk With Faith ($8); 5. Outa Tempo ($8); 6. Fusaichi Kahn ($8); 7. Yogi Blue ($6); 8. Birkdale Beauty ($4.50). Reserves: Dulcie Dee, Intensive Storm.
