*photo credits Jason McKeown Photography. https://www.facebook.com/Austscapes/ 

Ever wondered about the difference between training thoroughbreds and greyhounds? Well apart from the obvious – around 500 kilos, the similarities are endless. And one man who can vouch for that is cross code trainer Des Douch.

Born into thoroughbreds and talked into greyhounds Douch has had a dream introduction into greyhound racing with many thanks to the Thompson kennel and plenty of success to follow.

Imagine the first litter you ever bred winning $360,000 and counting. Imagine then racing against Australia’s best athletes at Group level. Imagine you got to cheer 82 times for their victories.

Well Douch doesn’t need to imagine because he is living that dream with his Banjo Boy x Easy Baby litter. A litter that has produced the likes of Big Flood, Brueghlino, Mars Rising and Petadale – just to name a few.

Andrew Copley, RSN’s Trent Masenhelder and myself had a chat Douch about his time in the sport, his fairy-tale maiden litter and his runner in Thursday night’s Group 1 Adelaide Cup heats on Off The Leash.

You wouldn’t believe how Douch choose Banjo Boy to sire his first litter…

Douch has Notorious Mac engaged in the Group 1 Adelaide Cup heats on Thursday night. Notorious Mac isn’t from Douch’s Banjo Boy x Easy Baby litter, but he is immaculately bred.

A WA bred son Fernando Bale x Te Amo, is jumping from box eight in the opening heat at Angle Park for breeder Michelle Romer and owner Cain Dyett.

Weighing in at just 30 kilos, Notorious Mac has his work cut out for him coming up against SA star Nations who has won eight of his 11 starts at Angle Park and is the $1.80 punters elect.

He is a winner of 10 races from 33 starts which includes a swift 29.68sec win at Sandown over the 515m.

“Notorious Mac has drawn box eight again, but he is mad for the fence,” Douch said.

“He is a very good dog and I think he is in with a chance if he is sitting second or third leaving the straight because he is very, very strong.”

“Nations is a great dog, but I also know how good this dog is.”