For local trainer John Buttsworth there is more at stake than the prizemoney when his finalist Oscar Winner contests tomorrow night's CHRIS Mooney Tribute at Bathurst.
Oscar Winner, who led throughout to win his 520m heat last week in 30.07, is the second fastest qualifier behind Ferrero Miss, who won in 30.02.
"I would dearly love to win because the late CHRIS Mooney, after whom this race was named, was one of my closest friends,'' Buttsworth said.
"His father Ron had long been my best mate, and as a young fellow CHRIS would accompany me to race meetings and help me kennel and handle my dogs.
"For many years I have taken a small team to the Grafton July Carnival and CHRIS always went with me.
"Until this year, the race named in his honour has clashed with the Grafton meeting so I have not had the opportunity to have a starter in the CHRIS Mooney Tribute series.
"In Oscar Winner I have a very good prospect because when he led throughout in his heat he was having his first start over 520m and got a bit tired in the run home.
"That race should improve him and as Oscar Winner recorded the fastest sectional time to the back straight I expect him to be the pacemaker if he begins cleanly.
"He uses a bit of the track so is not badly boxed in six, although I would have preferred him in box seven.
"That's because Oscar Winner tends to jump faster from the odd numbered boxes, as dogs drawn in those positions are placed in first and get more time to settle down before the lids lift.''
Buttsworth rates first reserve Nangar Ace, runner-up in the Group 3 Ladbrokes Magic Maiden at Wentworth Park on March 31, as one of the hardest to beat tomorrow night.
Nangar Ace, who was checked at the start before finishing third to Ferrero Miss and Shoestring in his heat, will replace Rockhill Kate, who has broken down and will miss the final.
Rockhill Kate led all the way to win her heat in 30.11 but her dejected trainer Matt Murphy said: "I gave her a hit-out up the straight on Wednesday and she 'dropped' a hind leg muscle so she won't be starting.''
Most experienced finalist is the Paul Braddon-trained Ferrero Miss, whose 13 wins and 18 placings from 39 outings include a Wagga Cup victory and second placings in the Dubbo and Orange Cups.
Braddon's wife Pam said: "Ferrero Miss has box seven and although really wants an inside box she is a smart beginner so can usually handle any draw.''
Ferrero Miss is the only Mooney Tribute finalist to have broken the 30sec barrier at Bathurst.
"She recorded 29.68 when she finished second in the Orange Cup final at Bathurst in February,'' Pam Braddon said.
Darren Sultana and his father Victor have four starters in tomorrow's Bathurst final, with Victor's greyhound Cheeky Tunes in box one, and Darren's trio Black Jillak, Secret Of Ours and Shoestring in boxes two, three and eight respectively.
Cheeky Tunes' owner Gordon Sciberras believes the rails draw gives his greyhound a great chance.
"She is unbeaten in two starts from box one and should get a clear run to the first turn because Black Jillak, in box two, is a wide runner,'' Sciberras said.
"Cheeky Tunes chased Black Jillak home in her heat but my greyhound bungled the start from box seven and I am banking on the rails draw dragging her out of the boxes faster.''
Darren Sultana was especially pleased with Shoestring's second placing behind Ferrero Miss in her heat.
"Shoestring was placed three times at Wentworth Park last month but I think her second at Bathurst was her best performance so far,'' Sultana said.
"Black Jillak's Wenty form is poor but she doesn't like that track and Bathurst is her favourite circuit.
"Secret Of Ours has won at WP but had every chance when second to Oscar Winner in her heat as that greyhound was just too good.''
Box draw for the CHRIS Mooney Tribute, which gets under way at 5.45pm tomorrow, is 1 Cheeky Tunes 2 Black Jillak 3 Secret Of Ours 4 Hartley Kris 5 Rockhill Kate (unlikely stater) 6 Oscar Winner 7 Ferrero Miss 8 Shoestring with reserves 9 Nangar Ace and 10 Secretly Hot.
