SHE has the potential to be the best greyhound Laetitia Hand has ever trained, but the Wagga woman isn't prepared to lump a weight of expectation on blossoming dog Mini Pig just yet.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The two-year-old bitch has enjoyed the perfect start to her racing career, returning three wins from three starts since debuting back in February.
Prior to that Mini Pig also won her only two trials and she has never won by less than three metres.
It's a genuine fairytale story for the speedy greyhound and her trainer.
Hand, who has been involved in dog racing for more than a decade, had purchased two pups from Queensland but lost one to illness.
She was in need of a training partner for the other and managed to track down a litter of pups from Dyna Lachlan out of Shazlyn.
By the time Hand got around to purchasing a dog there was just one left for sale - Mini Pig.
"She was the last dog left in the litter but she was well bred from a good sire," Hand explained.
"Mini Pig was the right age and the right dog for what we wanted and she's been a really good buy for us."
Hand has owned and trained countless dogs during her involvement in racing.
She says there's something special about Mini Pig, and believes she has what it takes to race at metropolitan tracks once she matures.
"Mini Pig was the right age and the right dog for what we wanted and she's been a really good buy for us."
- Laetitia Hand
"I've had a lot of outstanding dogs, I've had track record breakers, but she's different," Hand said.
"She's blessed with early speed, which is why she's been winning races.
"She could be up there but her times so far aren't quite quick enough.
"She's still pretty young and she has a lot to gain still so we will play it by ear."
Mini Pig will shoot for her fourth win and look to keep her perfect record intact this weekend when she lines up at Wagga to contest the fourth heat of the Billy Jolley Memorial (400m).
Hand says Sunday's outing will be her toughest assignment yet.
"It's definitely the hardest race she's been in," she said.
"It will be a challenge but if she's 100 per cent and can get away early she is a good chance."
Mini Pig will jump from the furthest outside box to date - the seven - having previously only started as far out as the five box.
Hand believes the black rug should play in her favour.
The Wagga trainer says the memorial race, which honours the late Bill Jolley, is one she would love to win.
"It's a special race and it would be incredible to win it," Hand said.
