By Molly Haines
Tommy Shelby is the West Australian greyhound that is doing great things on and off the track and is currently kennelled with Pearcedale’s master trainer Kel Greenough.
Saturday night will see Tommy Shelby, who is named after the leading character in the popular Netflix series, Peaky Blinders, go head-to-head with a hand-selected field in the Group 1 TAB Topgun at The Meadows.
If he is to win the $150,000 first prize, connections will donate $7500 to Movember, not only raising money but also awareness for men’s health.
Tommy’s donations won’t stop there, for the month of November five per cent of prize money earnt will also go towards Movember.
While Tommy Shelby – the greyhound – can’t grow his own moustache, his WA trainer Steve Withers, as well as his caretaker Victorian trainer, Kel Greenough, have him covered.
“We are lucky to have Tommy and be on the ride we are on. The prize money is funds that we are lucky enough to win and although it is a small amount it can have a big impact and make a difference,” Withers said.
Throughout Tommy Shelby’s 28-start racing career, which has seen him win on 20 occasions, he has raised more than $8500 for charities and fundraisers around Australia which include Beyond Blue, Troy Donaldson Fundraiser and Telethon.
“It was luck that Tommy became popular on social media. It was a combination of his name as well as his ability, so we felt it was the right thing to do something positive with that space,” Withers said.
Tommy Shelby has drawn box one in the Group 1 TAB Topgun, which is run over the 525-metre distance.
“We are really happy with the box draw and think that it will give him every opportunity,” Greenough said.
“I would like to see him sit behind Simon Told Helen, but the question is if he can run the dog down because we all know what Simon Told Helen can do.”
Tommy Shelby and Shima Shine (Box 2) sit on the second line of betting with TAB at $3.50 behind favourite Simon Told Helen at $3.30.
Want to join Tommy in his bid to raise money for Movember? Donate here: https://au.movember.com/team/2378192?mc=1&fbclid=IwAR1m89DseZhA-NmiearJDfvnpx2eEZDeaAL9WZ0xKNr2gxqxboFXXk3vAfY&utm_medium=share&utm_source=dynamic&utm_campaign=copy-clipboard
Enjoy comprehensive coverage of Topgun night at The Meadows on Greyhound Racing Victoria’s Facebook page, by downloading The Watchdog app, or go to watchdog.grv.org.au. And on Twitter via @TheMeadowsDogs and @WatchDogRacing.
