Pigeon flyer-turned-greyhound trainer Albert Zarb is planning to bring My Bro Harry to Wentworth Park following the dog's impressive win over 450m at Maitland on Thursday.
It was My Bro Harry's fifth win in eight starts since joining Zarb's kennels at Kempsey.
"My Bro Harry has only had a couple of runs over more than 400m so I have to build him up a little more before bringing him to Wentworth Park for a 520m race,'' Zarb said.
"My best greyhound was Jake's Whisper, who was a good Wenty dog in 1993 and 1994.''
Jake's Whisper recorded 23 wins and 39 placings from 123 starts and Zarb has a good opinion of My Bro Harry.
"When I first got him he was not too interested in racing but after three months he finally turned into a race dog,'' Zarb said.
"I still breed and sell racing pigeons and have 30 pairs in my lofts along with four greyhounds in training and a couple of pups on the way up.''
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Fierce Fran, a daughter of former flying machine Are Jai Que, will add plenty of interest to the Nowra meeting tonight when she makes her debut for Sutton Forest trainer Michael Clayton.
Fierce Fran is to contest a 365m maiden heat after making her first public appearance in a performance trial at Wagga on May 25.
"I was happy with how she went because she clocked 18.75sec for the 320m which was good enough to win a maiden race on that day's race meeting there,'' Clayton said.
Fierce Fran is by Kinloch Brae from Are Jai Que, a brilliant beginner who won 19 of just 32 races.
Are Jai Que was a model of consistency and in two periods of racing for Clayton strung together six straight and later five consecutive wins.
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Popular central coast trainer Johnny Heard, who had a leg amputated 12 months ago, is getting back into the sport.
Heard, who trained the former top class stayers General Brett in the 1970s, the great Forty Twenty, who won 37 races between 2009 and 2011 and more recently Gunnadoo Cove, is about to take delivery of three youngsters he has purchased from breeder Dave Richardson.
"I have bought two bitches and a dog and they are currently being educated,'' Heard said.
"A few months ago I was in such a bad way I did not think I would live, let alone train greyhounds again, but I'm getting back on track.
"I have installed kennels in a large van I have purchased so am ready to go when the pups arrive at my place in a couple of weeks after their education course is completed.
"It could be an omen because I trained Gunnadoo Cove to win the 720m Wentworth Park Gold Cup in 2017 and Sandave Sapphire, the mother of the pups I have bought, won the same race in 2016.''
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No trainer chalks up more kilometres in a bid to win races than Neil "Have Dog Will Travel'' Staines but I was surprised to see the Yass-based conditioner heading to Grafton tonight.
Staines has Roman Nose Zarr in race seven, Bogan Bomber in the eighth event and Bogan Way in race 10.
"It is a 12 hour drive from my place to Grafton but the trip has to be made because I want these dogs to know the layout of the Grafton track and be ready for the annual winter carnival there which kicks off on July 2,'' Staines said.
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Warren and Barbara Kelly produced a hot prospect at Maitland on Thursday when their dog Only Nineteen took out a 400m fifth grade in 22.22.
That time compared well with Precious Sal's track record of 21.87 and continues a long run of success for the Hunter Valley couple.
Only Nineteen has had just nine starts for three wins but if the Kellys' previous greyhounds are any guide this youngster is headed for a long future on the track.
In 1999 and 2000 the Kellys' Barb's Miracle won nine of 99 races, before Barb's Nicki won nine from 95 in 2002 and 2004.
Their best greyhounds, Barb's Mamba and Barb's Analma, littermates by Rapid Journey from Mahogany Miss, were similarly durable between 2004 and 2006.
Barb's Mamba won 26 of 91 races while Barb's Analma scored at 15 of her 72 outings.
