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Winning the Group 3 Charcoal Inn Casino Cup (484m) has been a dream for Pat Lavis – but Mincin’ Machine looks primed to make it a reality.
Four heats of the Casino Cup take place on Friday afternoon, with the top two from each race qualifying for next week’s final.
Mincin’ Machine (pictured with Lavis, courtesy Lisa Vanderstok), who has won four of his last seven starts and has a best time of 27.64 at Casino to his name, jumps from box five in Friday’s fourth heat.
Lavis, who has been one of the NSW Northern Rivers’ most successful trainers recently, said he “could not be more confident” of his greyhound’s chances ahead of the series.
“There’s other good greyhounds here, but they’ll have to be on top of their game to beat him,” Lavis said.
“I’ve won all the major races at Casino like the Beef Week Cup and the Pop Northfield. If I get this one, I will have the Casino ‘grand slam’.
“I’d really like this one – and I’m confident he can win.”
Mincin’ Machine has the tricky box five draw here, but has won two of his three previous starts with the yellow rug.
The son of Bralyn County and Kingsbrae Sam has scored two recent wins at Albion Park before returning to Casino for the first time in three months last week, winning in a superb 27.91.
“I wanted him to see the track again and freshen him up for the heats,” Lavis said. “Everything went according to plan.
“He’s won out of every box, so the draw shouldn’t worry him.”
Lavis, who became involved in the sport in the early 1970s after rescuing a greyhound from the local pound, is among the canniest trainers around.
A man who “likes to think outside the box” when it comes to preparing greyhounds, he has recently constructed an irrigation system to collect falling rain water on his kennels.
The system sends out a misty spray to help keep the greyhounds cool during the hotter spring and summer months, while any excess water will be used to help clean the kennels out.
“It’s good for the greyhounds and good for the environment,” Lavis said.
“I’m always trying to think of ways to make my dogs more comfortable. A happy greyhound will run better, after all.
“I wish everyone else here good luck – but I’m confident I can win.”
Recent Group 2 Black Top finalist Miner’s Moss, Cosmic Boss and Lachie Lyndan look the picks in first three heats.
Dashing Canute (box one) had a great win here last week and looks a decent series bolter in the second heat.
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