Former soccer star Brian Tuft could score at least one winner in tonight's heats of the Globe Memorial Richmond Riches Series (535m) at Richmond.
The Hunter Valley trainer rugs up in-form greyhounds O’Leary and O’Hara in heats one and seven respectively of the $100,000-to-the-winner series at the western Sydney circuit.
O’Leary (box eight) has been an impressive winner on his last two starts – both over the 400m at Maitland – and has placed in both of his previous starts wearing the pink rug.
This is his first crack at the 535m at Richmond and he faces a quality field including Harperama (box one) and Mister Twister (box three) but Tuft says his greyhound could handle the extra distance.
“This is his first look at this distance but he was ten lengths ahead of the field in the catching pen on his last start,” Tuft said.
“I was devastated when I saw the quality of this field (but) O’Leary is a strong greyhound and I know he will push through.
“I’m just a backyard trainer and I’m in a race here with great trainers like Jason Mackay and Dave Irwin. It’s like being a small-time horse trainer up against Chris Waller.
“It’s a very tough race, but O’Leary’s first and second sections are usually good and he’s got a chance.”
O’Leary’s litter sister O’Hara (box four) scored a sound placing over the 400m at Maitland last start but faces a tough field including star Queenslander Fast Times, who jumps from box three.
Originally from Liverpool, Tuft trained more than 1000 winners in his native England and combined greyhound mentoring with playing semi-professional soccer.
He emigrated to Australia about 40 years ago and played in the Victorian state soccer league before retiring about 30 years ago.
“I love everything about greyhounds,” Tuft said.
“My grandfather had them – I think they are in my blood. I’ve always thought I preferred working with them to working with people. I’ve been battling all my life in one way or another, so I love getting a winner as well.
“O’Leary and O’Hara are my only two greyhounds at the moment. They are both going well, but O’Leary has more determination and is stronger. He’s the better of my two chances.”
Fast Times, from the premier kennel of Tony Brett, is a 420m Lismore track record holder and looms as the top chance for the series.
Other strong contenders in the seven heats include Frisky Gambler (box three, heat three), Kong (box eight, heat four), Miss Gambler (box one, heat five) and Opal Nera (box eight, heat six).
The semi-finals are next Friday, with the decider on Friday, May 26.
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