Owner Damien Lappin is ecstatic with the progression of Dashing Dino after picking him up for free via Facebook.
Dashing Dino won the fourth event on Sunday at Sandown Park and post-race Lappin gave full credit to friend and trainer Adam Norris.
“Adam is a mate of mine. He’s always had dogs and his family’s been involved with them. I met him at the old Wangaratta track, 10 or 12 years ago,” explained Lappin.
Lappin lives in Chiltern Valley and Norris in Wangaratta, three hours from the bright lights of Sandown Park. The pair often cast over Facebook buy swap and sell greyhound groups and late last year a striking fawn greyhound offered as a giveaway caught their eye.
“We were looking and keeping an eye out, as we always do, and neither of us had big budgets. We saw him up for grabs on Facebook and liked his breeding.”
The pair acquired Dashing Dino as an unraced two-year-old. He now has 15 starts under his belt for three wins, a further five placings and $5000 in prize money.
“Now he’s won at Sandown, The Meadows, and Cranbourne, and he looks like he’ll win a few more races.”
Lappin is no stranger to ownership having previously had runners in both greyhound and thoroughbred racing. He says the affordability factor of greyhounds stands out and encourages people to get involved.
“If you know a trainer speak to them. There’s plenty of guys out there, like Adam, that have four or five dogs. His dogs always look magnificent.”
Lappin was an aspiring cricketer as a youngster though was struck by injury problems. He says greyhound racing has been the perfect fit to fuel his competitive nature.
“When I finished high school I thought I was going to be playing cricket forever but have since had three knee reconstructions. For probably the last 10 or 12 years I’ve been a bit lost with myself. This (greyhound racing) gives me my competitive kicks.”
Click here for Sunday’s results
Please note that this Sunday’s race meeting has been moved to Monday night due to an extreme weather forecast. Feel free to contact the Club for more information (03) 9546 9511
