Greyhound Owners' Epic Road Trip for Dubbo Classic After Washout
With petrol prices soaring, Peter Presutto and his wife Nat faced an unexpected challenge when last Saturday's Ladbrokes Country Classic Final in Dubbo was postponed due to a severe storm. The event, originally set for March 21, has been rescheduled to March 28, forcing the couple and their race favourite, Without A Trace, to make a grueling round trip from their home in Devon Meadows, Victoria, to the Central West of New South Wales.
By the time they return home this Sunday, the Presuttos will have spent approximately 66 hours on the road, covering over 5500 kilometers for the heats and final of the Classic. "Someone joked that we need to win the $100,000 first prize to pay for our petrol bill," Peter said with a laugh. "That's a slight exaggeration, but when you have a good greyhound, you have to travel. We can sit at home and wonder what could be, but if you've got ones that can run, you go where the races are."
The Journey and Its Challenges
The trip from Devon Meadows to Dubbo takes about 11 hours with stops, but Peter doesn't mind the drive. "My wife Nat comes everywhere with me," he shared. "On longer trips, we either chat, listen to Spotify podcasts, or enjoy music from Pink Floyd, Crowded House, or Andrea Bocelli. It's a chance to chill out and relax—almost like a holiday for us."
To break up the journey, they stayed overnight in Parkes on the way back last Saturday. Despite the disappointment of the postponement, their spirits were lifted when another of their dogs, Off The Chart, won the $40,000 Shepparton Cup. "We pulled over just outside Dubbo to watch the race," Peter recalled. "It was pure elation; being in the car made it feel even more special without the crowds."
Without A Trace: A Special Greyhound
Without A Trace, a strikingly marked greyhound with an all-white coat and a black patch around her right eye like an eyepatch, was bred and is raced by Darren and Michael Puleio. Peter fell in love with her as a pup. "She was absolutely gorgeous and striking," he said. "She nestled into me, and I knew she was going to be very good. She's almost human-like at home—the good ones always are."
He emphasized the unpredictability of greyhound racing: "You can have years of drought, then a good one comes along. It makes you appreciate every moment, even the hard yards like these long trips, because there's a good reason for it." Without A Trace handles travel well, relaxing and taking it in stride.
Looking Ahead to More Travel
This Saturday, the Presuttos will leave Devon Meadows at 4:30 AM, aiming to reach Dubbo in about 11 hours with stops. Without A Trace will compete in the Country Classic final around 7 PM, with hopes of winning the $100,000 prize in just over 34 seconds. Win or lose, they'll head home soon after, then prepare for another series of trips to Sydney for the Group One Association Cup heats and final on April 4 and 11, adding four more 10-hour journeys to their schedule.
Peter reflected on the dedication required: "It's not easy, but you have to have a crack. We're grateful for the opportunity with a dog like Without A Trace." As they hit the road again, perhaps some Willie Nelson's "On The Road Again" will be fitting soundtrack for their adventures.
