From winning the Warragul Oaks to a metropolitan win at Sandown, Victor and Carol Gay’s Hot Patootie continues to provide thrills for the Hastings couple.

A trip to Sandown on Thursday 28 January saw Hot Patootie reign victory in a $14,300 Grade 5 Final over the 515 metre distance (Replay), breaking the Gay’s 19 year drought without a city win (post-race image above).

Hot Patootie’s biggest victory prior came in the $14,300 Warragul Oaks (460m) in August where she lead from start to finish from box six in a time of 26.27sec (Replay).

“Hot Patootie’s city win was a lot more significant to us because of the drought,” Victor Gay explains.

“Her city win was the biggest thrill of my life – she is a super little dog for us,” Carol Gay added.

A greyhound by the name of Rowleyalla in 1997 was the last city winner the couple trained. The Gays also had success around Olympic Park and Sandown five years prior with Superfly Guy in 1992.

“Her city win was the biggest thrill of my life – she is a super little dog for us” – CAROL GAY

Nineteen years between city wins is a long time, but it is Victor and Carol’s love of their greyhounds as well as a strong desire to one day witness their pups race at city level has seen them continue in their hobby.
“We always dreamed of winning another city race but weren’t sure if we would, and Hot Patootie caught us a little bit by surprise.”

“Our lifestyle is our greyhounds and that’s what keeps us going – we are hobby trainers so our dogs are with us from birth. We breed ourselves; we love the sport and the thrill of race night,” Carol explained.

“Our last vacation was in 1988, 28 years ago and we haven’t missed holidaying at all, plus we would miss the dogs too much if we went away.”

Hot Patootie will contest in a $2,360 Grade 5 Final at Cranbourne (520m) on Wednesday night from box four (Formguide) after an impressive heat win last week (Replay).