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In the End is helping Ken Cheetham’s remarkable return to the race track and the promising pup looks good to score another victory at Thursday's Maitland meeting.
The greyhound, who has won both his starts so far, jumps from box three in race three over 400m.
A son of notable sire Fabregas and 28-race winner Macey, In the End clocked a notable 22.57 debut win over the 400m at Unibet Gardens last month and backed that up with a 22.84 triumph at the same track last week.
Cheetham, who recently returned to training after undergoing extensive life-saving treatment for cancer, thinks In The End can secure the hat-trick here.
“His runs so far have been brilliant,” he said.
“It’s hard to win from the squeeze boxes on these one-turn tracks, but he’s done it.
“He’s got good early speed (and) I think he can win again here.
“I plan to work him through the grades and get him up to the 500m.
“It would be nice to go to Wentworth Park with him.”
Click here to watch a replay of In the End’s last start victory.
Another of Cheetham’s greyhounds, Gagan, looks a winner jumping from box seven in race ten.
He ran a strong 22.77 while winning on debut over the 400m at Maitland last week.
Cheetham, who recently turned 79, has enjoyed notable success since becoming a trainer as a teenager.
Some of his most successful ventures include 1964 National Derby winner Flying Myobb, 1992 Peter Mosman champion How’s The Fort and 2009 NSW Greyhound of the Year Take The Kitty.
He was bedridden for large periods between 2012 and 2014 with both liver and bowel cancer and was christened ‘Lazarus’ by nurses for his against-the-odds recovery.
Cheetham is now in better health and said he is determined to enjoy life around the sport again.
“In my younger days when I was running around breaking greyhounds in I often thought, ‘I’d like a rest’,” he said. “I’ll never say that again.
“Now I can’t wait to get on my mower and go around the paddock.
“I’m very fortunate to be here. I’ve realised life is short, so I’m going to enjoy working with my greyhounds.
“I love seeing friends around the track and I appreciate being around the track again.”
Flying Gracie See More (box seven) has won her last three starts and looks a good chance here in race four.
Tua (box six, race five) and Shak Retreat (box two, race nine) also look strong chances.
The latter ran a super 22.54 to win over the 400m at Maitland on June 17.
For Maitland Thursday fields, form and expert picks, click here.
