One of my favourite questions to ask people is how they started in the sport of greyhound racing. It’s a simple question, but one that more often than not leaves me with a smile.
Well, how Geelong local Michael Cullen entered the sport of greyhound racing started out like many others – from his father.
“My dad was born in the same hospital, at the same time as one of the Britton brothers and from there our families kept in contact,” Michael said.
It wasn’t until he was in his early 20’s that he decided he wanted to dip his toes into a sport that had given his father so much joy. That joy has transferred to Michael through a greyhound by the name of Full Noise Turbo, or Spotty.
“Watching Spotty race and then become a mother was such a special journey to be a part of,” Michael said.
“I moved from Sydney to Geelong so I could have Spotty retire with me, but it also meant I was able to be a part of her pups’ racing careers too.”
On Friday night at Geelong one of Spotty’s progeny – Prancing Turbo – lines up in his biggest test to date, a heat of the Group 2 Geelong Gold Cup.
The stunning black and white chaser find himself in race five from box two and although he is a $10 outsider in the field, Michael said the dogs tenacity can’t be questioned.
“Prancing Turbo would have to be one of the most honest dogs I have ever had,” Michael said.
“He loves the Geelong track, but his weakness is his strength at the end of race.”
Prancing Turbo has had seven starts over the 460-metre distance at Geelong and has only missed out on the money on one occasion. One of those wins was the $10,000 Hugh Emmerson Memorial at the odds of $8.70.
