Saint Flynn claimed his first metro win and second on-the-trot last night for caretaker trainer Peter Byrne.
Saint Flynn began well and shortly after found the lead turning to the back straight. He staved off four greyhounds within a length of him to win by a neck in 29.93.
“We knew he could do it. He did everything right and luck fell his way – a couple looks at the track can make all the difference,” said Byrne.
Byrne took training duties of Saint Flynn just three weeks ago after his primary trainer and owner Rob Walsh went on a holiday.
“I bred him and gave him to Rob – he usually trains him but he’s gone on holidays – the dog will return to him next week.”
Byrne resides in the small town of Southern Cross – a four hour journey to Sandown Park. He runs a greyhound trial track in Koroit alongside good friend and highly respected trainer Dustin Drew. He also owns a dairy farm and has just five greyhounds in work.
“We built the trial track two years ago. We’ve broken in a lot of good dogs, Big Flood and Lightning Frank just to name a couple.”
Byrne believes winning a race at Sandown Park isn’t as hard as some people make it out to be.
“A lot of people down my way take their dog to the city once and don’t go back. I keep telling them to take their dogs there. I think it’s easier to win a grade 5 race at Sandown than it is at Warrnambool. I was happier racing at Sandown last night, rather than meeting speed machines like Aussie Infrared at Warrnambool.”
Later in the night Black Mumbo strengthened his claim as one of Australia’s most in-form sprinters with a dominant win in 29.28.
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: Saint Flynn with Peter Byrne (right) and Dustin Drew (left)
