Flynn.

Who knew this 31 kilo dog could mean so much to those involved?

And believe it or not it isn’t just because he is showing ridiculous ability on the track.

Eight starts from 15 wins, with more than $72,000 in prize money is a great start to a racing career.

When you throw in one of those wins was a track record performance at Bendigo, another a Group Listed Ballarat Derby and then a Group 3 Speed Star victory you would understand why trainer Harry Manolitsis and owners the Adean Manolitsis and Charlie Meo are enjoying this journey.

In an interview with George Farrugia and myself on RSN’s Off The Leash, co-owner Charlie Meo opened up about the reasons for purchasing a share in one of Australia’s most exciting young greyhounds.

In January of 2017 Charlie’s life was turned upside when he lost his mother Teresa Meo after a nine year battle with Brain Cancer.

Teresa wasn’t just a loving mother. She was Charlie’s best friend.

After leaving work and the greyhound world behind to care and spend every possible moment with his Mum, it is understandable how Charlie lost himself when he lost his Mother.

“Before Mums passing, she said to me to live my life and enjoy it. I hadn’t been at the time and all of a sudden this dog came up and turned my life around for all the right reasons.” Charlie said.

“My Mum was my best friend and my rock. The pain of loosing a parent and your best friend is really hard to cope with.”

“When she said for me to live life, I didn’t think I would be purchasing a dog at this level but I think she is upstairs and saying lets go and she is riding Flynn all the way.”

George and I asked Charlie about a highlight in Flynn’s racing career so far and it came at no surprise that it wasn’t feature win that allowed us to feel Charlie’s smile through the phone, rather the moments following one.

“Dad, who is 78 did it tough too, and to see him after Flynn won the Ballarat Derby with his hat tipped to sky and a smile on his face was a very special moment for me,” Charlie said.

Friday night Charlie will head to Sandown Park in hope of experiencing one of the great thrills in greyhound racing, a Group 1 victory.

Flynn is the second elect with punters from box seven behind favourite Orson Allen.

In what had been dubbed the race of the year Flynn came within a head of running down Orson Allen and a Harrison-Dawson heat win in a time of 29.141 seconds.

With box seven to overcome, and a trainer who claimed the Group 1 Sapphire Crown on the same night last year in Harry Manolitsis, Flynn has his work cut out for him but in Charlie’s final words on radio ‘We will see the best of the dog on Friday’.

So, from now on when you watch Flynn go around, I want you to promise me one thing. Remember this story and hug your Mum. Do you know what, don’t just hug your Mum, hug your closest loved one because why not?