When Early Sunset exits box five in race four at Richmond on Friday she will seeking only her second victory in 61 races but her trainer Les Fletcher refutes suggestions he is greyhound racing's most patient trainer.
Fletcher insists he is enjoying every minute he spends with Early Sunset, despite the bitch breaking through for her first win at her 60th start last week at Richmond.
That success took Early Sunset's record to just one win and 13 placings since her career was launched in December, 2022.
A gift from this year's Golden Easter Egg winning trainer Peter Rodgers, Early Sunset's 320m success last Friday took her earnings to just on $6,000.
After that win, Fletcher's many friends joined in his jubilation and he treated several to a celebration beer or two in order to mark the occasion.
Peter Rodgers said: "Last Friday I reminded Les that part of the hand-shake deal we made back in 2022 was that I was to receive 50 per cent of the prizemoney from Early Sunset's first win.
"Of course I was joking and there was no way I was going to take any money, but Les, being as fair dinkum as he is, said of course I'll pay you, it was so long ago I had forgotten all about it.''
Les Fletcher reckons greyhounds like Early Sunset and her kennelmate Up The Score, who has won five of 48 races, are what greyhound racing is all about.
"People are too hungry these days, a lot of them are too worried about prizemoney instead of just having fun,'' he declared.
"I am now a pensioner but during my 52 years working for Prospect council and as a self-employed power line contractor I have always trained a couple of greyhounds as a hobby.
"Early Sunset, or Bec as I call her, is a lovely little bitch and is so much fun to be around because she is so full of mischief, her favourite pastime is chewing the tops off plastic bottles.
"She has a home with me for life, no matter what happens, and she will eventually join the five retired greyhounds I already have on my property.
"Before last week's win Early Sunset had run 13 placings for me while her kennelmate Up The Score has earned over $9,000 and won for me at big prices, at $31 at Richmond in January and as a $101 chance there a month later.''
