‘Daisy’ a dream come true


Devon Meadows trainer Carly Feltham is living a dream she never knew she had with exciting youngster Wharfies Girl qualifying for Thursday night’s group 2 Laurels.

Wharfies Girl is not only the her first group race finalist, but if successful in Thursday night’s final, it would be her first city winner.

“I’ve never been so excited to run second before!” said Feltham after ‘Daisy’ qualified for the $50,000 to the winner feature.

“I was thrilled with her heat win, but then to qualify for a group final and be racing against some of the biggest trainers in Victoria, it hasn’t really sunk in yet.”

Prior to running second in her semi-final, Wharfies Girl caused a major upset in her heat when she saluted at the massive price of $35.60, defeating two of the series favourites in La Bella Riot and Dr Mino in process. Her rapid improvement coming as a result of intensive box work that saw her slash her early sectional times from an average of 5.26 seconds in her first three Sandown Park starts to 5.04 seconds during the current series.

“I don’t often bet but I had $10 on her in the heat, then rolled the winnings into Cosmic Act at Warragul the following Tuesday and he won too. I’ve lost track of how much I’ve won from them over the last few weeks!

“We knew she had a bit of ability early, she just hadn’t shown it yet. We did a fair bit of work with her and hopefully she can keep beginning ”

Feltham is a relative newcomer to the sport of greyhound racing having only gained her trainers licence in May 2015. Her husband Kane had previous family involvement in greyhounds, and when he decided he wanted to get back into it training group race finalists was the furthest thing from her mind.

“When Kane said he wanted to do dogs I said, ‘mate you are on your own.’ All I can remember is your mum cooking stews and I’m not up for that!

“They were famous last words, now I’m off trialling, racing and all that hard work that goes in between. Kane says I just took over and absolutely love it. I think I’ve found my people, my spot in life.”

Regardless of the result on Thursday night, Wharfies Girl has already given Feltham her biggest thrill in the sport and validated her decision to get involved.

“I’ve never been so passionate about something in my life. Just to make a final like this, it means Kane and I must be doing something right.”

The Laurels final is race 6 on the card and is projected to boast a $50,000 TAB First 4 pool.

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Wharfies Girl takes out her heat of the Laurels paying $35.60
Mick Floyd
About Mick Floyd - Mick is the Racing and Media Manager at Sandown Park and has 15 years of experience in the sport. He has a finely tuned talent for finding three legs of a quaddie. You can follow his ramblings on Twitter - @mickfloyd
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