Macie’s Princess was once more interested in chasing sticks rather than chasing the bunny but now she’s becoming a star for delighted Daniel Kells.
The promising sprinter (pictured) goes for a fifth win in 11 starts in the Westlawn Finance Sprint 1-4 Wins Final (411m) at Casino today.
A littermate of current Northern Rivers hot shot Billo’s Pick, she was originally with Casino trainer Daryl Armfield.
Her playful ways drove him to his wit’s end, so Kells stepped in and decided to try his luck with the sprinter.
“All she wanted to do was play with the kids,” he said. “Daryl wasn’t sure what to with her.
“I had an empty kennel at home so I said I would have a go with her.
“It was really of Daryl to let me have her and I love working with her.
“She’s responded to the attention – it’s all about Macie’s Princess for me.”
Macie’s Princess, who will jump from box seven, has been in great form recently and looks good to take the $3000-to-the-winner race at Queen Elizabeth Park.
The chaser has won three of her last four starts and likes a wide draw, having placed three out of four times from boxes seven and eight.
“She’s probably three-tenths short of being a really handy dog (but) she’s perfect to work with,” Kells said.
“She has that combination of good box speed and good early speed that you love.
“She’s such a good beginner so I’ll probably chase a couple of Country cups with her."
Kells, who is based at Stratheden in the Northern Rivers, has been training for about a decade and was introduced to the sport by his father Milton.
The 40-year-old said seeing his father win the Cowra Cup in 1991 with Stoke Lane convinced him to start training.
“That’s when I fell in love with the greyhounds,” he said. “Seeing the greyhound win a Cup race was brilliant.
“I love seeing dogs improve (and) I love taking an animal and helping them become an athlete.
“I love going down to the kennels and seeing that the dog is stoked to see you.
“There’s nothing better than it all to be honest.”
The final is the eighth of ten races at Casino.
Other notables include Booming Buddy (race five), Aunty Jagger in the sixth and Rosealea in race seven.
Action starts at 12.49pm.
Today’s race meeting brings the curtain down on almost 80 years of grass track racing at Casino.
A new loam surface is being installed at the Queen Elizabeth Park track in place of the current grass surface, the last of its kind at any Australian TAB track.
The track goes into recess while the new surface is installed and will start racing again in early February. Lismore will conduct Friday meetings in its place.
For Casino Friday fields, form and expert picks, click here.
