Papenhuyzen Chasing More Christmas Cheer

ONE of greyhound racing's best ambassadors Ryan Papenhuyzen is chasing more feature race success on Saturday night in the Ladbrokes Christmas Gift Final at Wentworth Park.

The superstar Melbourne Storm fullback is one of the part-owners of the Punters HQ syndicated Good Odds Emma, who two starts ago gave Papenhuyzen his biggest thrill in racing when the daughter of Fernando Bale won the Group 1 Dapto Megastar.

FIELDS AND FORM WENTWORTH PARK SATURDAY NIGHT

"I wish I could have been at Dapto to watch her live, but I still got a huge thrill from watching her win on the TV," Papenhuyzen said.

"I've owned a few dogs, so I know how hard it is to get them to the track so to be involved in a Group 1 winner was a whole new experience and every bit as good as I expected it to be.

"You try not to get your hopes too high, but everything worked out perfectly in the race and she did the rest.

⭐ What a GOOD night it was at @DaptoG last Thursday for the G1 @sportsbetcomau Megastar! ⭐

We think Good Odds Emma looks pretty happy with herself! ?

More photos: ?️? https://t.co/bw0LmtId0u#thedogs pic.twitter.com/esS7HIcqv2

— The Dogs (@Thedogs_com_au) December 12, 2022

"When she hit the front in the straight, the neighbours found out about it."

Regarded as one of Rugby League's good guys, Papenhuyzen is actively involved in the promotion of greyhound racing and rehoming with Greyhound Racing NSW (GRNSW) and Greyhound Racing Victoria (GRV) as an ambassador.

He is one of a host of sporting and media personalities involved in Good Odds Emma, along with two-time Interdominion winning driver Jason Grimson, NSW greyhound caller Matt Jackson, WA greyhound caller Peter O'Neill, Sky Racing personalities Jason Lincoln and Brittany Graham as well as Tabcorp's Gerard Daffy.

Good Odds Emma backed up 48 hours after her Dapto Megastar win and placed third in her Christmas Gift heat behind Simply Limelight.

The Andy and Jody Lord-trained chaser has drawn the inside for Saturday's $25,000-to-the-winner final.

"Box one is handy," Papenhuyzen said.

"I've had no luck with box draws with any of the other dogs I've had but Emma seems to have a bit of luck with them.

"Hopefully she can bring home the choccies again."

Papenhuyzen also hinted that the success of Good Odds Emma will see other Melbourne Storm players joining the greyhound racing owners' ranks in 2023.

"There are a few of the boys that are starting to get keen," he said.

"Emma winning the Group 1 had them asking plenty of questions, so the plan is to get a few of them into some dogs early next year."