Photo Man's Topgun Heroics Etched In History

A FEW weeks before the running of the 2022 Group 1 Topgun, Gavin Clifton made an urgent phone call to his dad Stan who was enjoying a much needed holiday at Lakes Entrance.

“Bring me home some salt water” was the plea from Gavin.

Gavin and cousin Dave McKenzie's star galloper Photo Man had split webbing and no amount of creams or other potions would fix it.

“Nothing is better than sale water and that's when I rang dad at Lakes Entrance,” said Gavin.

PHOTO MAN AT STUD

“Dad, who has a new knee and two new hips, struggles about but he went to the local servo and bought a 20 litre container.

“The sale water arrived and Photo Man's webbing came good.”

Just in time too because Photo Man was in contention for a spot in the Topgun.

“I know exactly how those guys are this year having missed out on a spot in the race,” said Gavin.

Photo Man was made a reserve.

“Dave and I thought he'd done enough to get into the race after having such a great winter carnival in Brisbane and being placed in the Group 1 Brisbane Cup and Adelaide Cup.

“But, we were pretty confident of him getting a run a few days out from the race and were hoping he would come up with the eight, outside Amron Boy in the seven who we knew would head towards the fence.”

That's exactly what happened.

The reserve runner, Photo Man, speared to the front from a clear run to the first turn and by the back straight he had opened up a winning break.

“He was a little bit short of a run, but when he was three or four clear in the back straight I knew they would not run him down,” said Gavin.

“I couldn't believe we had won the Topgun. My wife Deb knows only too well I'm never short of a word or two, but she could not believe I was speechless after the race.

“Just to have a dog in the Topgun is something else.

G1 Sportsbet Topgun – Photo Man ????

Jubilation for Gavin Clifton, David McKenzie and connections as Photo Man carved across from the outside alley to lead all the way and claim his first G1 victory in the invitational Topgun sprint.

REPLAY | https://t.co/kUAqPiXcqm pic.twitter.com/P5HOZI5Wa7

— Melbourne Greyhounds – The Meadows (@MelbourneGreys) November 7, 2022

“But, to win it … well that's special.”

Gavin and Dave bought Photo Man as a three-month-old and gave him the kennel name of Gerrie after his breeder Gerrie Sneyders.

“There was always something about him right from the moment we got him,” said Gavin.

Photo Man has since retired to stud and Gavin and Dave have two litters by him, one five months and the other a month old.

“They are so much like their father, even a few of them with the Roman nose,” said Gavin.

“And that first litter is already showing his keenness. They are magnificent animals.”

Gavin and Dave realise how tough the stud game is but that is the least of their concerns.

???? Group 1 Gavin ????

Gavin Clifton went through a gamut of emotions with @SmithCorey15 after PHOTO MAN claimed the $233,250 Group 1 @sportsbetcomau #Topgun at @MelbourneGreys.

You can watch the Dream Chasers Festival on @Racing.#GreyhoundRacing #DreamChasers pic.twitter.com/gmxyE7NKzy

— Greyhound Racing Victoria (@GRV_News) November 7, 2022

“Gerrie will live out his days on the couch at home,” said Gavin.

Of this year's Topgun, Gavin has done the form but believes it is “a very open race”.

“We've been asked to bring Photo Man along to the night to parade,” said Gavin.

A fitting Topgun great to add a special touch to the 2023 running of a very special race.