THE Muswellbrook Greyhound Club (MGC) is cheering for a home-town victory when the organisation's feature race is run on Sunday.
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And, it boasts two hopefuls with Aberdeen trainer John Lawson and Muswellbrook mentor David Meiers preparing Ned's Chance and Lanzoni respectively.
The more-than-capable dogs, rated $1.60 and $13 with the bookies, will line-up in the Barn Vets Muswellbrook Cup Final over 429m at the Sydney Street track.
Ned's Chance has saluted the judges on 10 occasions, from 28 starts, including a further five seconds and three thirds.
He goes into the main event with wins at Wagga, Bathurst and Muswellbrook from his past four races.
Lanzoni, on the other hand, has placed three times in recent outings, with a couple of seconds (April 14 and May 12), as well as a victory (May 5), at home.
But, Lawson believes any of the runners can prevail this weekend - and secure the $3000 prizemoney.
"Mr Grey, from the No 2 box, has a good draw," he said.
"Fran Sannette (No 6) was very impressive in the heat - and heads into the final as the fastest qualifier.
"I'll be honest, Ned's Chance is not a good starter; he'll find it hard to win at the distance.
"He came from a long way back to claim the honours on May 12."
Lawson's tasted Muswellbrook Cup success before, with the aptly-named Power Bomb.
"Yeah, I've won it previously and it'd be nice to do it again," he said.
"I only picked Ned's Chance up a few weeks ago.
"I wanted to add a better dog to my stable.
"He's very talented.
"It was a good effort [by him] to win by less than a length last weekend - he got a lovely run through.
"The circuit looks beautiful at the moment, too.
"It's one of the few grass tracks around these days.
"We had good numbers at Muswellbrook at the weekend, so we'd like to see another strong crowd on hand this Sunday."
A Ned's Chance triumph would also be a fitting way to mark Lawson's five decades in the industry.
"For me, it's just a hobby and an interest," he said.
"But, I've been doing it for 50 years.
"I guess it's kind of an addiction.
"However, I really enjoy the camaraderie and friendship - there are lots of nice people involved in the sport of greyhound racing.
"You definitely don't do it for the money."
Bookmakers, plus bar and canteen facilities, will be available, while the children can enjoy face painting.
The first on the 11-race card starts at 11.30am.
And, best of all, entry is free on Sunday.
1.10pm Barn Vets Muswellbrook Cup Final (429m)
1 2412 LANZONI David N Meiers 5 $13
2 3511 MR. GREY Keith D Jarvis 3 $3
3 7424 FIVE EIGHT DALL Allan N Ivers 3 $81
4 6422 SKETCHY FABIO Allan N Ivers 3 $61
5 0423 WARRUMBUNGLE GEM Michelle L Lill 3 $22
6 3731 FRAN SANNETTE Kevin J Brennan 3 $11
7 1131 NED'S CHANCE John D Lawson 3 $1.60
8 5513 BRAEMAN Garry J Kedwell 3 $8.50
9 5132 ZIGGY DOLL Neil R Lyford 4 NA
10 5741 BRINDALEE Alexander Verhagen 4 NA
Tips: 7, 2, 8, 6