Two Wagga friends ditch horsepower for Greyhound Racing

TWO friends involved in the motor trade in Wagga have ditched horsepower to get their first taste of racetrack glory.Bill Holmes, who works for Wagga Motors, and Wendy Hand, a contemporary at Hillis Ford, shared a magic sporting moment when Evil Twist romped home at the Wagga greyhound meeting on Sunday.Starting $3.20 favourite in the Allgas Services Maiden Stakes (320m), Evil Twist showed abundant ability by scorching to a 6+ lengths victory over Ivy Smash'em.The tearaway triumph was a marvellous milestone for Holmes and Hand, marking their success as a greyhound racing partnership.Holmes yesterday revealed Evil Twist was the first greyhound he had owned and had been a windfall buy."I suppose in the circumstances it was a case of being in the right place at the right time," Holmes said yesterday."I was looking to buy a greyhound and I heard the guy who owned Evil Twist was selling off his dogs for some reason or other."The fellow is the president of Healesville greyhound club and he assured me the dog had a motor and will be OK."He actually said he'll be the cheapest winner we'll ever buy."Purchased a year ago, Evil Twist has wasted no time in living up to his past owner's expectations.Beaten on debut at Temora, Evil Twist burst in the winner's circle in dynamic style on Sunday at his second start, giving Holmes and Hand their initial taste of racetrack success.Holmes said Hand is Evil Twist's "official" trainer, but they share the everyday duties."I'm the lackey," he laughed."I get up and walk the dog and do some of the other chores."My better half Wendy is the trainer, I'm the foreman."For Holmes, greyhound racing has become a sporting "love"."It keeps me fit," Holmes said."I like to be involved as much as I can."Bred to be a stayer, Evil Twist will race again at Wagga on Sunday over 400m before moving up to 516m in the near future."He's very strong, got a lot of stamina," Holmes said."If he shows he can stay we might have to send him away (to be trained)."Holmes yesterday paid tribute to Wendy Hand's daughter, Laetitia Hand, for the part she played in Evil Twist breakthrough win."Laetitia has been training for 10 years and gives us valuable advice," Holmes said."I also talk to other Wagga trainers to get their views."