Old-fashioned remedies combined with abundant love and care have rejuvenated the career of La Grand Logie, who notched his 23rd win at race number 85 at Maitland on Thursday.
La Grand Logie zipped over the 450m in a slick 25.02, just a week after returning to the winning list in a Maitland Masters' race in 25.09.
"For quite a while La Grand Logie has had issues with wrist soreness,'' trainer Jeff Eaton said.
"After talking to a couple of old-time trainers I was advised to ignore new-fangled methods and look after the problem with a couple of remedies which merely required rubbing into the sore spots.
"Their old-fashioned techniques have done the trick and La Grand Logie indicated he was on the way back when he trialled 25.50 over the 450m at Maitland before he won the Masters race on February 2.
"I was satisfied with the trial time because La Grand Logie is a true race dog who has never clocked brilliant times in solo trials.
"Although he was in a Masters race on February 2 I was more confident in last Thursday's graded race because he had a vacant box on his outside and I knew that would be a big asset.
"At this stage I intend nominating La Grand Logie for Wentworth Park next Saturday night.
"But if he doesn't perform well I will probably restrict him to racing on one turn tracks like Maitland for the remainder of his career.''
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Exciting prospect Lochinvar Hugo took his record to two wins and three seconds from five starts with a power-laden 25.07 victory over 450m at Maitland on Thursday.
After being fifth away and hampered at the first turn, Lochinvar Hugo hit the front at the half-way mark for an easy win.
"I will take him to Richmond now but I won't bring him to Wentworth Park until after the Golden Easter Egg carnival in early April,'' trainer Robert Smith said.
"Lochinvar Hugo is still learning and is not two years old yet.
"I believe his future will be as a middle distance dog but I won't be trying him over 600m until after he makes his debut over 520m at Wentworth Park.
"And once he begins racing at Wenty I want to keep him there for a while.
"I gave Lochinvar Hugo a trial at Wentworth Park before his career kicked off and while his first split was ordinary, he ran home in 11.72, a terrific time for a youngster.
"And I've no doubt Lochinvar Hugo has improved since that hit-out.''
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NSW holds the whip hand in Saturday night's Group 1 Rookie Rebel at Melbourne's The Meadows with the Margaret Bannerman-owned Reefton Treasure coming up with the prized rails draw.
Reefton Treasure, originally trained by Bannerman in the NSW Murrumbidgee region, is now in the care of former NSW trainer Anthony Azzopardi.
The greyhound has won 16 of 36 races and made a dashing debut over the Rookie Rebel course, the Meadows 600m trip, winning in 34.41 at his most recent start on January 28.
The mighty Dyna Double One holds the 600m record at The Meadows with a 33.91 win, so Reefton Treasure's performance was a strong pointer to his prospects in Saturday's $75,000 to the winner event.
Only downside for Bannerman will be that she won't be track side next Saturday, as she is currently enjoying a cruise, so will miss seeing what could be her biggest win in 40 years in the sport.
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Former New Zealand champion Little Mother, raced by Castlereagh breeder Barbara Spackman, continues to make a name for herself at stud with Poppa Ogg scoring a dazzling first-up 400m win at Bulli on Saturday night.
Papa Ogg, sent out hot favourite on the strength of a pair of sub-23sec performance trials over 400m at Gosford, came out running to win easily in a slick 22.62.
Papa Ogg is by Fabregas from Little Mother, and is a litter brother to the Spackman owned and trained My Little Mate, another fast beginner who has registered three wins and three placings from eight starts.
