When the syndicate which owns Winlock On Top decided it was time to sell the dog to make room for new acquisitions Hunter Valley owner-trainer Michael Edwards jumped at the chance to secure him.
Edwards' son Richie was a syndicate member and told his father what a beautiful nature Winlock On Top possessed and that he would make a wonderful pet upon his retirement.
On Tuesday night at Gosford Winlock On Top had his first start for Michael Edwards and led throughout to win a 388m fourth and fifth grade sprint in a blistering 21.90, fastest time of the night.
"That time didn't surprise me because Winlock On Top trialled almost as quickly last Friday when I gave him a hit-out over the same course,'' Edwards, a retired electrician, said.
"Winlock On Top was due to have his first Wentworth Park start for me on Saturday night but after Tuesday's race he lost some skin in a collision in the catching pen so won't be running.
"I have been training as a hobby on and off for 50 years but have never had enough money to buy good dogs.
"The best one I've had was Amerigo Free, who won for me at Wentworth Park in November, 1992.''
Before his Gosford romp Winlock On Top had contested 92 races for 27 wins and 43 placings, earning nearly $207,000.
With his Gosford figures comparing well with Casual Glance's track record of 21.74, it seems likely Winlock On Top will more than pay his way for his new owner-trainer.
Winlock On Top becomes eligible for Masters races when he turns four in May so looks sure to enhance his Wenty tally of 39 appearances for eight wins and 18 placings.
Devil Queen, who led throughout to win a heat of the GBOTA Welcome Maiden series on Wednesday night, was eight months old before her dam Sweet Marie won her first race.
Owner-trainer Bob Littlefield explained: "As a youngster Sweet Marie was attacked by other dogs and was lucky to survive, let alone get to a racetrack.
"But she is a beautifully bred bitch so in August, 2000, when she was unraced, I bred a litter from her by Sennachie.
"Because Sweet Marie looked well enough after she whelped her puppies, which included Devil Queen, I put her into work and at her seventh start she won a heat of the Butch Monkley Memorial Maiden at Wauchope on Boxing Day, 2000.''
Littlefield, who has trained a succession of top class stayers including Royal Riddle, the 2006 NSW Greyhound of the Year, Shady City, Narara City and Shalom City, said on Wednesday that Devil Queen had been his first ever WP maiden winner.
Tiger Jack has become one of the hottest prospects in training after reeling off 29.62 and 29.78 WP wins at his past two starts but his litter brother Doonan, who won on debut at Wenty on Wednesday in 29.85, looks set to be just as good.
Craig Sheridan, who bred Tiger Jack and Doonan from his bitch Book Of Luck and whose son Ayden races the JODIE Lord-trained pair said: "Tiger Jack started racing in December but Doonan was a bit behind him as far as preparation goes so his first race was delayed until Wednesday.
"Doonan, who is named after a breed of South African sheep which are renowned for both their wool and their meat, should get even better.
"Before his 29.85 win on Wednesday he had not been out of the starting boxes at Wenty, all he had was a hand-slip so we expect him to improve.''
