For Bruce Lloyd , it has been a 41-year wait to train his first winner at Wentworth Park.

"That was the best feeling I've ever had in my life," the Warilla-based hobby trainer said of Spring Eddie's win in November.

"I've got three kids and I shouldn't say that as I was there for the birth of all three of them, but here I am saying it was the best feeling I've ever had."

Spring Eddie shouldn't really be racing - let alone winning - at headquarters.

Closing in on four years of age, a time when the racing days of most greyhounds are all-but finished racing, Spring Eddie will be the first pup Lloyd has ever entered for a Group race.

Lloyd, whose newspaper round a couple of days a week keeps him busy away from working a few greyhounds and looking after even more pet pups, originally took Spring Eddie on after it was deemed a sesamoid injury would end his career.

With the help of good friend Dave Purnell, the pair nursed Spring Eddie back to full health after nine months away from the track.

Soon after he started showing promise. He ran fast times in a couple of trials then won some races.

He even graduated to victories at Bulli, the venue for tonight's heats of the Group 3 Cyril Rowe Gold Plate (472m).

"He's almost four so he's a marvel," Lloyd said.

"We've never had a dog that you would consider nominating for a race like this and might never have a dog [again].

"It's now so we thought we'd nominate him."

The speedy Spring Eddie will spear out of box two in third heat tonight, next to multiple city winner Gradence who will rocket home late.

Natural Player, who won 13 of his 16 starts to date, will face his biggest test in the opening heat.

Kennelmate Knocka's Return clashes with Vic Peters Classic winner Belfast Johnny in the heat two.