Group racing debutante Martina Kirillidis is living her dream in the days leading into the Ipswich Gold Cup Final (520m) on Thursday night.

After 50-plus years as a trainer Allan Oshyer admits to ‘being tested’ by temperamental greyhound Kenny Dutton, who will contest the extremely popular Capelbourne (366m) Cup on Tuesday.

Big Boy Bentley is one run from delivering Ray Burman his greyhound dream before the veteran trainer hangs up the collar and lead – Pat McLeod’s weekly Ipswich wrap.

Ipswich conditioner Garry Gilbert is hopeful a return to Capalaba for Sunday’s Futurity Final (366m) will also result in a return to the top of the podium for his speedster It Wasn’t Me.

Never before had Jay Is Jay been considered the ‘next best’ in his kennel, but that is how the pecking order was shaping in the lead-up to Thursday night’s heats of the Group 1 Ipswich Gold Cup (520m).

The emotion was real and justified as John McCarthy and son Ben hugged on-track just after Fast Eddie had claimed the final Ipswich Derby to be raced at the showgrounds circuit, on Saturday night.