Andrew Bayliss has ridden life’s rollercoaster over the last two years but he hopes Velvet Flame can keep his spirits flying high at Dapto on Thursday night.
The solid sprinter (pictured, blue rug) goes for her 10th win in 33 starts jumping from box five in the Dapto Supporters Club Final (520m).
Velvet Flame has been racing solidly if not spectacularly in recent weeks but at Dapto she is usually in the mix.
With a good box draw and some handy recent performances to her name, she looks a good chance here.
“I’m fairly confident she’ll go well,” Bayliss said.
“She’s a desperate railer (but) I think she actually prefers the middle. Both times she’s had the inside at Dapto she’s missed the kick.
“She trialled 29.92 leading up to the series so I thought she was on song then.
“She’s got a chance.”
Velvet Flame has placed on ninth of her 12 previous visits to the track and recorded a solid 29.96 run in last week’s heats, finishing second behind Chilli Sierra.
Victory would further improve a notable 2014 for Bayliss, who is based at Bargo on the NSW South Coast.
He won the Dapto trainers’ premiership and secured multiple wins with the likes of Spanky’s Legacy and Fancy Chance.
After several years away from the sport, Bayliss started training greyhounds again in December last year.
That followed a horror personal spell including a marriage break-up and a work accident that left him with a bad back injury.
His fortunes changed when he won his first race back with El Alamein – a greyhound he co-owned with mates - at Dapto on Boxing Day last year.
“That was one of the most emotional moments of my life,” Bayliss said.
“I felt it was a sign telling me that I’d done the right thing getting back into greyhounds.
“My whole attitude to life and especially training is different now. I know you have to put the hard work in to get rewards.
“There is a lot of stress involved sometimes with racing but I love it.”
The $4000-to-the-winner final is race six on the card.
It is also a big night for one of NSW’s most exciting pups, Whittaker.
Bruce and Julie Fletcher’s sprinter won again over 520m last week at Dapto, making it six successes in nine starts.
It was a superb triumph, with Whittaker coming from the back of the field after missing the start.
Check out Whittaker’s incredible win here.
He jumps from box three in race seven, the Redden Video Pty Ltd Stakes (520m).
Other notables at Dapto include Roman Queen (race four), Road Agent in race five and race eight’s Northernette.
For Dapto Thursday fields, form and expert tips, click here.
