Local greyhound trainers Raymond and Maree Smith have claimed a prized Group 1 win at Wentworth Park.
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The locally-trained Big Daddy Bee claimed the $75,000 National Derby last Saturday night with a sizzling 29.74 second run.
It’s possibly the "biggest thrill in 40 years of racing" for the Forbes pair.
“Group 1s are hard to win,” Raymond said. “There’s not many of them and everyone wants one.”
The locals train Big Daddy Bee for Penrith's Jason Bateup, it was his first win at Wentworth Park.
At just two years old, Big Daddy Bee is still a young dog brimming with potential.
“If he stays sound, he’s got a good couple of years ahead of him,” Raymond said.
As he puts it, “all the stars aligned” to see Big Daddy Bee win at Wentworth Park last weekend.
"He drew box 1, the key to the race,” Maree said.
"He jumped pretty well, stayed on the fence and coming around the home turn took the inside rail and won by a length."
It's the first group 1 win as trainers for the local couple, they do hold another Group 1 title as owners of Irinka Barbie.
She brought Forbes to the attention of the greyhound world in 2004 when she won a Group 1 race and was named Greyhound of the Year.
The Smiths are enjoying success on several fronts at the moment, with Dandy Jack in the final of the Bathurst Cup on Monday night.
It's an exciting time for the local greyhound breeders, owners and trainers after the uncertainty of the now overturned racing ban hanging over the industry in the past year.
