After a shock defeat at $1.40 last weekend, trainer Steve White expects straight-track specialist Suspense to bounce back in Sunday’s Kings v Queens Final (350m) at Healesville.

It may surprise some punters that playing ball in a one acre paddock and having a teddy bear collection used as training tools could be part of a successful racing greyhound’s preparation.

The countdown is on to Friday night’s $630,000 Group 1 TAB Melbourne Cup Final (515m) at Sandown Park, with the action to be broadcast live on 7two from 7.30pm.

Trainer Dave Condon and 1992 Brownlow Medallist Scott Wynd hope to chalk up another Healesville success when littermates Superior Wallis and Superior Digby contest Sunday afternoon’s Puppy Championship Final (350m).

Germany’s ‘Paul the Octopus’ attracted worldwide attention as an animal oracle due to accurate predictions during the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

From small beginnings the Healesville Great Chase saw more than 50 people from organisations from across the north-eastern suburbs enjoy a community day in sunshine last year at arguably Victoria’s most spectacular-looking racetrack.

Garry Selkrig has retired the cult idol Peter Galo, who won 47 races from 82 starts following a back muscle injury.

Zambora Lou has continued his litters dominance over Victorian Country Cups with a win in the Group 3 TAB Healesville Cup.

Only one year into his training career David Kerr is dreaming of celebrating a fairy tale Group race victory with kennel newcomer Tin Shed Fred in Sunday afternoon’s Healesville Cup (350m).