Artful Dodger, fastest qualifier for Monday night's Ladbrokes Monthly Maiden final at Nowra, was having his first start for trainer Bruno Sita when he led throughout in his 365m heat last Monday in 20.81.
In 21 previous starts Artful Dodger had managed only five placings but Sita is taking no credit for the dog's "first up" win.
Sita, whose kennels are at North Nowra, explained: "The dog's owner Tony Teofilo had been training him from his home at Mona Vale and it's difficult for him to train greyhounds there because it is a two hour trip just to find a trial track or a veterinary surgeon.
"When Tony sent Artful Dodger to me four weeks ago he became the only dog in my kennels so I was able to devote all my time to him.
"I reckon that could be why the penny seems to have finally dropped with this dog.
"He trialled 20.90 over 365m at Nowra before he won his heat in 20.81 and I'm hoping he draws boxes one, two, three or eight in the final.''
Bob's Way surprised even trainer Chris Priestley when he led all the way and managed to hold off crack speedster Poppy Jack in a slick 19.76 over 350m at Goulburn on Tuesday.
The win took Bob's Way's record to eight wins and 14 placings from 34 starts and continued a friendship spanning over half a century for the dog's owner Ken Staines and the Priestley family.
"Ken, who is on the NSW Northern Rivers, and my grandparents Deirdre and Joe Jenkins, have been close friends for over 50 years, back in the days when Ken was training greyhounds at Jerrawa, near Yass,'' Priestley said.
"My kennels are at Higgins, a suburb of Canberra, so when Ken decided Bob's Way might be better suited racing around my area he sent him down to me.
"I work full time as a public servant for the Department of Defence but my mother Tania devotes all her time to looking after my greyhounds so she deserves all the credit for Bob's Way's win.
"Poppy Jack took ground off Bob's Way at Goulburn but I'm hopeful my dog might be able to win over longer distances when he races on a two turn track.
"The long stretches at Goulburn can test a dog's stamina but front runners can often zip around tighter courses and win over longer distances.''
Former Victorian Derry Express, who was third behind Wow and Casual Glance in the Goulburn Cup final on October 24, has joined the Sydney kennels of Keith Pedrana.
