Greyhound folk are well aware how much fun the sport can generate and the degree of mateship it fosters, so don't be surprised to see 256 racegoers at Wentworth Park on Saturday night decked out in the dogs' various racing rug colours.
Steve Noyce, general manager of the NSW Greyhound Breeders, Owners & Trainers Association, expects a tradition founded in 2014 to continue on Saturday.
"Back in 2014 eight friends headed to Wentworth Park dressed in the racing colours of each greyhound in a race, that is one wearing red, another white, down to pink, etc,'' Noyce said.
"They had so much fun they vowed that the following year each of them would bring along another friend who would also dress accordingly.
"So in 2015 there were 16 people donning the appropriate racing rug colours, and what has become a tradition was established, with 32 arriving at the track in 2016 and 64 the following year.
"Last year they managed to boost their 'rug colour dressing up' attendance to 128 and they are hoping to double that number on Saturday for the fifth anniversary of their fun night at the dogs.
"We are looking forward to hosting the 2019 edition because this activity emphasies the fun and mateship side of greyhound racing.
"Not only is the group planning an enjoyable night, but aim to raise money during the meeting for Gotcha For Life, a men's mental health charity.''
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WHILE the Melbourne Cup and Bold Trease obviously highlight Friday night's Sandown card, there will be almost as much interest in a match race between Sennachie and Feral Franky.
Sennachie, trained in Victoria by Steve White, formerly based at Nowra, and Feral Franky, from Raymond Smith's Forbes kennels, will duel over 515m between races three and four.
Feral Franky (pictured) goes into what promises to be a thriller with 21 wins from 38 starts while Sennachie's record stands at 29 races for 15 wins.
Each had no luck in their Melbourne Cup heats last Friday, with Feral Franky finishing third to Jaro Bale after exiting box five and Sennachie beating all but the placegetters after drawing box six in Flynn's heat.
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COURAGEOUS Ouzo proved he has overcome yet another setback - his third since April - when he won over 400m at Bulli last Saturday night in 22.43, fastest time of the meeting.
Although Ouzo turns three in March he was having only his 21st start, taking his record to seven wins, six seconds and three thirds.
"He has been such an unlucky dog and has only really been unplaced twice,'' owner-trainer Kayla-Jane COLEMAN said.
"When he fell in Mystic Riot's Golden Easter Egg heat at Wentworth Park in April Ouzo injured a rib cartilage.
"Then in July he injured a hip joint tendon and was sidelined again.
"I got him back to the track in September and this time he hit the running rail before finishing third in a race at Bulli and fractured a tibia.
"I was so proud of the way he went last week at Bulli and have nominated him for there again this Saturday.''
Ouzo was a Wentworth Park winner on December 29 last year, after being runner-up at headquarters when making his racing debut two months earlier.
