Dynamic sprinter Paw Licking has been voted the 2014 Most Popular Greyhound.
Trained in Pearcedale by Kelvyn Greenough, Paw Licking captured the imagination of racing fans during a career that spanned 54 starts for 32 wins and 14 placings before his retirement almost 12 months ago.

Despite winning the Group 2 Maitland Cup and Group 2 Bendigo Cup in 2014, the latter being his final race, owner Allan Lang believes Paw Licking’s performance in the 2013 Group 1 Hobart Thousand encompassed what makes him so popular.

“His Hobart Thousand win was the highlight of his career. He beat Black Magic Opal and did so not only in track record time, but running record sectionals as well,” Lang said.

“His duels with Black Magic Opal and Ronan Izmir were unforgettable, and his racing pattern of getting out in front and always trying so hard earned him a lot of respect.”

Run by Greyhound Racing Victoria, the Most Popular Greyhound award is open to Victorian trained greyhounds that won a group race or the National Coursing Association’s premier race, the Waterloo Cup in 2014.

Paw Licking was one of 10 finalists and won comfortably with 19 per cent of votes, and as a result Lang wins a Crown Towers accommodation package valued at more than $500.

Paw Licking with trainer Kelvyn Greenough. Inset: Most Popular Greyhound Trophy. Atop page: Winning the 2014 Bendigo Cup. Pic Clint Anderson.