Super Pleased: Michelle Proud of Mighty Mackenna

FIVE weeks ago, Michelle Carruthers and Lee Moore whelped a litter of six dogs and one bitch by Shima Shine from Tingle, the dam a litter sister to their Australian Cup finalist Orlando.

Michelle and Lee have high hopes for the pups … maybe even as high as a victory in the Golden Easter Egg one day.

Now that would be something.

Late last year, Michelle and Lee accepted a six-figure offer for their then top class youngster Mackenna, the daughter of Whiskey Riot-Alcyone which had stamped herself to all and sundry as a hot prospect.

On Saturday night, Mackenna finalised her unbeaten sweep through the Group 1 Golden Easter Egg series to stamp herself the country's most exciting greyhound.

Down in the small Victorian locality of Bagshot, just north east of Bendigo, the locals would have heard the cheers for miles when Mackenna burst to the front in the Egg and set up her fabulous victory.

It was Michelle and Lee, in their lounge room, cheering like no one else, not even George Alvaro who had bought Mackenna from them late last year.

“Yes, we are super pleased,” said Michelle. “There has always been so much hype about her and we are so pleased that she has achieved what was thought she could.”

Michelle explained it took some time for herself and Lee to settle on a price to sell their budding superstar.

“George Alvaro had bought a dog from us some time ago so we knew him,” said Michelle.

“He approached Paul (Abela) to make an offer for Bonny (Mackenna) to us.

“Lee went back to them with a counter offer which they accepted.

“Yes, there are mixed emotions from us.

“It was not a quick decision for us to make. I suppose you are damned if you do, and damned if you don't.

“And, it is always funny when dogs leave your place. We bought her as a baby, reared her, educated her and raced her.

“She was always a standout, beautifully muscled up and a gleaming coat.

“No, we don't own her anymore, but we are a part of her story.”

Michelle said it was so obvious to them “cheering louder than anyone” at home in Bagshot, that Mackenna is loved by her new connections.

“And didn't she look sensational,” said Michelle.

“It was a lot of money for us, and we get two pups from her when she retires to stud, but to sell her was not a decision we made lightly.”

So, the couple now look to their newly whelped litter of Shima Shine-Tingle pups with confidence they too will be winners … maybe even a Golden Easter Egg.