Graham Pickering, the president of the Coonamble greyhound club, landed a winning double at Dubbo on Saturday night with dogs which were presented to him as gifts.
Pickering won a 400m race with Swift Kevin, a giveaway from successful owner-breeder Kevin Gordon, and took out a 318m event in a fast 18.40 with Mr Cash, who was a gift from his previous owner Geoff Cooke.
Pickering went within an ace of making it three wins on the night when Western Hero, another gift from Kevin Gordon, was beaten a half length.
"Western Hero is the quickest of the 12 greyhounds in my kennels although Swift Kevin is not far behind him,'' Pickering said.
"And Mr Cash, who had a few problems when I got him nearly four months ago, is finally putting it all together.
"I have been a hobby trainer for 20 years but am full time now after giving up work seven months ago.
"I was a delivery driver for a trucking company and used to drive from Coonamble to Lightning Ridge and back, a distance of 450km, every day.
"In 2020 our big Coonamble carnival had to be cancelled due to covid so we have our fingers crossed it can go ahead over the October long weekend this year.
"It has always been popular with interstate trainers and I have just spoken to Noel Massina, who is keen to make the trip from Victoria again.
"When Noel won the major final at our carnival in 2019 it marked the 25th consecutive year that he had brought greyhounds to Coonamble.''
Massina, the former long serving president of Victoria's Bendigo club, won the 2019 Coonamble final with Bound To Succeed and is keen to return to Coonamble this year.
"I always bring four to six dogs and this year Bound To Succeed will be among them,'' Massina said.
"He has won seven of his past 11 starts but has not raced since suffering a slight hip injury in late May.
"Bound To Succeed, who has won 27 from 46 races, is on the way back and should be ready by the time the Coonamble carnival looms up.''
