Cunningham, the last greyhound trained by Glebe's Peter McCann, who died on Monday night, made a stunning debut to win his heat of the Ladbrokes MDC Maiden at Wentworth Park on Thursday.
Bred and owned by the late Peter McCann's best mate, Vince Murray, Cunningham, now trained by Ken Burnett, took the lead from Nangar Lady going through the catching pen to win by three lengths in a slick 29.73 for the 520m.
After the emotion-charged race, Burnett's wife Amanda was in tears as she pointed out: "Peter McCann was training this dog until he got sick so it is so sad that he was not here to see Cunningham's win.''
Trainer Ken Burnett, who prepares Cunningham's litter brother, the Million Dollar Chase semi-finalist Power And Glory, said later: "I got Cunningham a few months ago and after trialling 30.50 in his first 520m hit-out at Wentworth Park he has kept improving.
"Before tonight's race, Cunningham went a smart 24.16 in a post-to-post slip so he is getting better all the time.''
Fastest of the MDC Maiden heat winners was the Sonia Davis-owned, trained, and bred Shaula, who roared past early leader Bamboozle leaving the back straight to win by seven lengths in 29.58.
Named after one of the brightest stars in the constellation Scorpius, Shaula is a daughter of Sherbini, who has been a phenomenal brood bitch.
Trainer Sonia Davis' husband Peter Davis said later: "Sherbini's offspring have earned $1.5 million in prizemoney without having yet landed a group one race.''
Unraced boom puppies Jungle Johnny and Zig Zag Man lived up to their lofty reputations by winning their heats in 29.59 and 29.77 respectively.
Jungle Johnny, who had trialled 29.60 at Wentworth Park, had a thrilling struggle throughout the race with another boom youngster, Dalwhinnie, and prevailed by a head.
Dalwhinnie had been heavily backed after recording a sensational 23.68 in a post-to-post slip at Wentworth Park, and had no luck after being checked when trying to rail underneath pacemaker Jungle Johnny leaving the back straight.
Zig Zag Man began only fairly from box two but showed great dash and determination to drive between leaders Sutton Blend and Trunkey Bling at the first turn to be a clear pacemaker on the back straight.
Thursday's card also featured five heats of the Masters Meteor with Lagoon Mandy, who has returned to racing after whelping a litter of pups, leading throughout in 29.64.
Embrace took her earnings to over $248,000 with her win in 29.68 while former Victorian Deadly Class, now with Sydney trainer Mark Gatt, powered away to win by eight lengths in 29.55.
Agland Luai was sent out a hot favourite for his heat and the Jay Opetaia-trained dog notched his 14th Wenty win when he led throughout in 29.60.
The fifth heat was won by Showman Jack, resuming after a spell, who took advantage of a collision between pacemakers Fiery Ruby and El Chorro on the back straight to win easily in 29.89.
The $50,000 to the winner final will be held at Wentworth Park next Friday night.
