Sky Wave gave Chinese-born Chenhao "Vincent'' Sun his biggest win as a greyhound owner when she took out Saturday night's Nowra Puppy Classic.
It was Sky Wave's 10th win in 17 starts and surprised even most of her supporters because the Vic Sultana-trained greyhound came from behind to win.
The DEAN Swain-trained Styles tore away with a big early lead but Sky Wave, who usually adopts the role of pacemaker, overpowered the front-runner in the straight.
Sky Wave's win capped a big week for Sun as Knock Wave, another member of his kennel of six, had been an impressive all-the-way winner at Wentworth Park three nights earlier.
Sun, who migrated to Australia 14 years ago, said: "I became interested in greyhounds through watching races while living in China,'' Sun said.
"I bought my first dog four years ago and purchased Sky Wave and her sister Elusive Wave, who was also a finalist in Saturday's Nowra Classic, for $10,000 in a package deal.
"My friend Gordon Sciberras advised me to buy them soon after they were broken in because he had bought other members of the same litter.''
Sciberras and Sun share ownership of the exciting prospect Rev Fred Floy, who was sent out a $2.10 favourite in the Group 2 Queensland Derby final at Albion Park on April 19 but found trouble and finished sixth.
Rev Fred Sloy, who is trained by Sky Wave's trainer Vic Sultana's son Darren, is a Wentworth Park winner and has won nine of 27 starts.
Sun, the proprietor of a Sydney plumbing business, says greyhounds give him wonderful relaxation away from work and rarely misses being trackside to watch his canine charges in action.
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Umatilla, who has had two wins and a third from his past three starts in 520m Free-For-Alls at Wentworth Park, is to undergo a middle distance campaign with Queensland trainer Tony Brett.
Umatilla has been temporarily transferred from Newcastle trainer Ron Bell to Brett, aiming to tackle the forthcoming 600m Dashing Corsair Stakes at Albion Park.
Part-owner Ray Smith said: "Umatilla had two 600m starts at Gosford in January, winning both in fine style, and there are good middle distance opportunities in Brisbane for a dog like him over the next few weeks.''
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Former Sydneysider Dusty Gambler has quickly established himself as NEW ZEALAND's best stayer, taking out last week's Group 1 Wanganui Distance Championship at Hattrick.
Dusty Gambler has now won each of his four NZ staying races for trainer Karen Walsh, and is being prepared for next month's Duke Of EDINBURGH Silver Collar at Manakau, the Shaky Isles' premier long distance event.
The race gets its name from the valuable Silver Collar perpetual trophy which was donated to the club by Prince Phillip, the Duke Of EDINBURGH, as a thank you for the gift of a greyhound he had received.
Dusty Gambler was bred and owned by Sydney schoolteacher Diane Stollery until being sent to NZ, and is now owned by the dominion's most successful owner Gary Harding.
Trainer Karen Walsh is accomplished with stayers, having taken out the Group 3 2012 Wentworth Park Chairman's Cup with Know Peace on her only sojourn in Australia.
Ring The Bell, trained in Victoria by Gerry O'Keefe, landed the 2017 Silver Collar, which carried $80,000 prizemoney and was run over 779 metres.
The arduous distance of the Silver Collar should hold no fears for Dusty Gambler, as his most recent NZ wins have been over 747m and 755m.
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It was fitting that Bungendore trainer Lesley Hannaford should prepare the winner of the last race at Canberra on Sunday, the final event to be held in the A.C.T.
While Goulburn's Denice Warren took out the $14,000 to the winner Canberra Cup with Smooth Blend, Hannaford, a long-time sponsor at Canberra through her family's moving service, had the honour of leading in the final winner.
Hannaford's dog, ironically named Community Values, will be recorded as having won the last race before the Canberra government's ban on greyhound racing takes effect.
