They say sentiment has no place in racing but emotion resulted in owner Robert Russo buying Saturday night's fastest Wentworth Park winner Saint Rico.
Saint Rico led from the first turn for new trainer Jodie Lord and hung on to win a 520m fifth grade by a head from the strong finishing Brooklyn Brute, stopping the clock at a sizzling 29.61.
After the race owner Robert Russo explained: "My friend Joe Baldacchino had a litter of pups from his bitch Mascot Miss and allowed me to select one for $3000.
"There was a red fawn dog which reminded me of Prince Seal, the first greyhound I ever owned.
"Back in the 60s Prince Seal went a tenth outside champion sprinter The Shoe's track record up the straight at Richmond so I couldn't help but select his lookalike and that is Saint Rico.''
Sentiment also played a part in owner Bryan Canellis' purchase of Check The Radar, who scored a runaway win in a nippy 42.18 in Saturday night's sole 720m event.
Check The Radar, who broke the Richmond 722m record last month, had not previously tackled the Wentworth Park 720m trip but on Saturday came from fifth early to run down tearaway leader My Lady Rose in the straight.
Canellis' son Jed was instrumental in his father buying Check The Radar (pictured) as a three weeks old puppy for $20,000.
Jed explained after Saturday's race: "When we were looking at her litter the blue bitch which races as Check The Radar had a white mark on her chest in the shape of the letter T.
"My wife's name is Tori so that's why we picked out Check The Radar.''
Bryan Canellis said: "We paid big money for her because she is a younger full sister to the former champion Tommy Shelby who is now making a name for himself at stud.
"I figured no matter what she did on the track she would be a valuable brood bitch but she has really taken to long distance racing.
"Last Tuesday night Check The Radar trialled a smart 16.20 over 280m at Wentworth Park, so if ever she jumps in front she is capable of leasing all the way and running blistering time over 720m.''
Check The Radar was part of a winning double for trainer Peter Rodgers, who is currently in hospital.
Rodgers' wife Pat handled Check The Radar as well as Superstar Ethics, who got up in the last stride to win Saturday's final event.
Ritza Smoke will be tried over a middle distance at Richmond next Wednesday after producing a barnstorming finish to win a 520m fifth grade on Saturday night in 30.09.
It was Ritza Smoke's seventh Wentworth Park 520m win and after the race trainer Mark Gatt said: "He has come from a long way back to win previously at Wenty but that was usually when he found ideal rails runs.
"I have not seen Ritza Smoke come from so far back while having to thread his way through the field as he did tonight.''
Other fast 520m times were posted on Saturday night by the Sam Sultana-trained Au Contraire, who led all the way in 29.74, and by Fear The Dragon, trained by Sultana's daughter Michelle, who came from second early to score in 29.72.
