Trainer Kerry Houlahan and owner Glen Burns combined for their first city win on Thursday night.
The pride and joy of Houlahan could not be missed as she was full of smiles following the win. She’s trained greyhounds for just five years and won her first race at Sandown in February, a heat of the Judy Hayley Memorial, with Thursday’s triumph her first at city level.
“This is my first full stakes win,” she said with a glowing grin.
It was courtesy of Little Big Shot who took full advantage of box 1 to win the penultimate event of the night. He began fairly to settle 2nd then took the lead on the apex of the home turn. He held on to win by ¾ of a length at a price of $8.
It wasn’t just Houlahan who was ecstatic with the win, Burns was also beyond proud of ‘Looney’.
“I almost fell off my chair, I’ve never had that sort of thrill in my life. It’s amazing to have a dog who can compete at city level,” said Burns.
Little Big Shot started his racing career in New South Wales before he was bought by Burns after 14 starts for $6000.
“I didn’t have high expectations when I bought him. I own his half-sister Empress Lu and I’ve loved her attitude and nature, I hoped another produced by the same mother would have similar traits.”
Burns’ time in greyhound racing spans over just three years. He bought a small share in a syndicate before taking the next step and owning outright.
“I bought a 5% share in a pup who was trained by Darren Pattinson. I thought, I might go out and buy my own and see how we go.
“Since then I haven’t had one who has raced at a loss.”
Earlier in the night Shane Jack also claimed his first city win after two decades in the sport (click here for full story) and Darren Archer trained a double which has without doubt highlighted his return to greyhound training (click here for full story).
