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Not many trainers would install a wood fire in their greyhounds’ kennel – but Pat Lavis is not most trainers.
Lavis, who has top pick Mincin’ Machine (both pictured) jumping from box eight in the Village Green Hotel Sprinters Cup (race six, 407m), is one of the great characters of NSW North Coast greyhound racing.
Lavis and Mincin' Machine look a great chance to have a winning night at what is the climax of the two week Grafton carnival with a bumper 10-race card which includes the $7000-to-the-winner Village Green Hotel Sprinters Cup and the $14,000 Taylor Family & Clarence Valley Sheds Classic Maiden Final (407m).
A part-time trainer who works as a farm hand near Byron Bay to supplement his income, Lavis started training more than 40 years ago with a greyhound he rescued from the pound.
He has enjoyed his best year in the sport with a string of winners so far in 2015 – and puts his success down to good old-fashioned TLC.
“I’ve got a wonderful team here,” he said. “I just steer the ship.
“Behind every good trainer there’s a wonderful wife nagging him – and that’s what I’ve got.
“We live for our greyhounds – whatever they need, we do it.
“I try and think outside the box with my greyhounds. You have to keep things fresh or they get bored.
“We had a coal fire installed in the kennels. We turn it on at 11pm every night and it keeps them cosy and warm on these cold nights.
“A happy greyhound is a successful greyhound.”
Mincin’ Machine was the fastest qualifier in last week’s heats with a superb 22.84 run – his fifth triumph in eight starts.
Click here to watch a replay of Mincin' Machine's win last week.
That win took his record to an impressive 10 wins and 10 minor placings from 26 starts.
Charlie Sprite (box one) and City Breeze in box two both look dangerous but Mincin’ Machine has a formidable record when drawn out wide.
He is part of a great current kennel for Lavis including Western Dave, who looks the best bet in race 10 tonight.
“I’ve never had a greyhound in the Grafton Cup before,” Lavis said. “I’d love to win this.
“I took Mincin’ Machine to Grafton in January and he ran superbly. I thought, ‘you’re going in the Grafton Cup this year, mate’.
“If the others leave him well alone and give him space, he’ll grow wings and fly.
“Good luck to the others – may the best greyhound win.”
Meanwhile, Dennis Barnes has a strong hand in the other feature event of the night - the Taylor Family & Clarence Valley Sheds Maiden Classic (407m, race seven) - with impressive pups Nangar Tiger and Nangar Star who will jump from box seven and eight respectively.
Nangar Star was particularly impressive in his maiden heat win, taking out the event in 23.06. He is from the hot Collision x Flash Fancy litter which has also produced undefeated city winner Nangar Flash, who will line up at Grafton on Friday afternoon to take part in the Willow Park Pre-Training 5th Grade Final.
Others to watch at Grafton tonight include classy Tullabung Honey (race three), promising local Black Audit in race five and exciting newcomer Nangar Doll (race eight).
For Grafton Wednesday fields, form and expert picks, click here.
