Both trainer DEAN Swain and owner Michael Laffey notched up their first Group 1 success when Rue De Kahn took out the Dogpro National Futurity Final (515m) at Unibet Gardens last Friday night.
Although DEAN has been associated with Group 1 winners through his father Sid, Rue De Kahn is the first dog he has trained to win one.
And it was Sid who recommended DEAN to Michael Laffey because of his success with bitches.
"Dad got her off Michael Laffey to pre-train and within six weeks he said 'this is an outstanding young dog and you have a personal touch with bitches so I'll give Michael a call if you want to train her'," DEAN said.
"I said to dad your word is gold so if you think she's that good I'll be glad to take her.
"So I owe both dad and Michael a lot for having the faith in me.
"Michael has poured a lot of money into greyhound racing and he deserves this win, which is his first Group 1 as Well."
Starting at odds of $21.80, Rue De Kahn (box four) jumped Well and settled second behind the Noeline Holloway-trained leader Queen Esther (box three) and the pair dominated the race before Rue De Kahn raced clear in the straight to record a 4 3/4 length win in a time of 29.49.
Queen Esther ran the race of her life to hold onto second place, 5 1/4 lengths clear of Cawbourne Rev (box one) with the odds-on favourite Ritza Hattie (box eight) fourth.
"It's a great feeling to win a Group 1," DEAN said.
"I gave her a chance all week but when it looked like coming to reality on the home turn it blew me away.
"It was only her seventh race start so to win a Group 1 is a terrific effort.
"Even though I have been associated with all dad's big group wins, to win one solo is an incredible buzz. Words just can't describe how I am feeling right now."
The Group 1 Newcastle Herald National Derby (515m) was taken out by Zipping Brock for Victorian trainer Peter Dapiran and owner-breeders Martin and Fiona Hallinan.
Well supported as a clear $4.90 second favourite behind Boyce Road ($1.70), Zipping Brock began fast from box eight and went into the back straight matching strides with Jim Coyle's Evil Punk (box two), before gaining the upper hand in the closing stages to score by a neck in 29.46.
Waymore's Blues (box four) - trained by Martin Hallinan - was a further two lengths away in third placing.
Hallinan said he gave Zipping Brock a great chance of winning but was a little concerned with the wide draw.
"I was a bit worried all week about the draw but he handled it Well," he said.
"He drove hard into that first turn and it was a good, gutsy win.
"I'm really happy for Peter and Mandy and all the crew at Seymour; they will be really rapt with the win."
Boyce Road completed a luckless night for Mark and Daniel Gatt when he appeared to stumble out of the boxes and was later checked after colliding with Lochinvar Rossi.
