Swift Rain, or informally – Toby, means more to greyhound racing than his eight win from 17 start record. Even though his eighth win happened to be a heat of the Group 3 Healesville Cup.

Toby is friendship and dedication. And not only from former trainers Jodie and Michael Manuel of Chevy Lodge but his owners the Focma Syndicate.

We all know how important the relationship between trainer and greyhound is. But do you know what is just as important – the relationship between trainer and owner.

Focma Syndicate manager Greg Kay can not speak higher of his star greyhound Toby and his carers of three years, Jodie and Michael Manuel from New South Wales.

Toby is currently in the care of Buln Buln East conditioner Steven Bruce White who made no secret about his fascination with Swift Rain early in his career.

“Jodie and Michael are the most beautiful people who love what they do and do a very good job at it – they are like family now,” owner Greg Kay said.

Although this may sound like a facebook review these are the sincere words of Grey Kay who is thankful he stumbled across the Manuel’s.

“The decision to move Toby from New South Wales to Victoria was a tough one. It broke all of our hearts – especially Jodie who puts so much care into every greyhound on her property,” Kay said.

“I love going to watch him race and trial, so being in Victoria will mean I won’t be able to do so as much but I will be there to watch him in the Cup.”

“Everyone was involved in the decision and it is not something we could have done without the blessing of Jodie and Michael and at the end of the day Victoria has opportunities for Toby that we can’t offer him here.”

One of those opportunities was the Group 3 Healesville Cup – a race up Victoria’s only TAB straight track.

Toby had nine months off prior to his Healesville Cup heat win last Sunday after a stopper tendon injury in which Jodie and Michael Manuel nursed him back to be clocking some pretty impressive times in New South Wales.

Swift Rain has drawn box seven in the 2018 Group 3 Healesville Cup and has been the outsider of the field since the TAB open their market early in the week.

“I think box seven will suit because he isn’t the best box dog and he could have room away from the speed on the inside,” Kay said.

“Any of the eight dogs can win this race because you never know what will happen on race day.”