Jungle Johnny, who defeated subsequent Wentworth Park record breaker Dalwhinnie at his first start on October 10, has been transferred from owner-trainer John Maroun to Mark Gatt's kennels.
Since his win over Dalwhinnie, Jungle Johnny has been placed in four of six races but fell at his most recent appearance, at WP on November 28.
John Maroun said: "Jungle Johnny got too comfortable with me, he started racing a bit silly and I felt he needed a change of scenery.
"So I handed him over to Mark Gatt six weeks ago.
"After his maiden win I was offered an amount in excess of six figures for Jungle Johnny, but that was never going to happen, he was never going to be for sale, no matter what."
Jungle Johnny makes his first appearance for Mark Gatt at WP on Saturday night.
The race record for the group one Ladbrokes National Derby stands at Victa Damian's 29.47 posted in 2023 but even though Great Terms won his Maiden Final at WP in 29.26 he won't be contesting the January 11 heats.
Trainer Michael Ivers said: "He is only a baby and has had just two starts so I don't believe in throwing such a lightly raced youngster in against far more experienced greyhounds in races like this.
"Great Terms broke the Gosford 388m record when he was only 16 months old and last Friday he equalled The Gardens 515m record in a trial.
"But despite all that I don't think he is ready to take on the big boys in the Derby.''
Mid North Coast trainers Nathan and Leeanne Goodwin have just completed their most successful year as trainers, winning 112 races and filling 207 placings from 737 starters.
"2024 wasn't our best year financially because in 2022 we won the $100,000 to the winner Masters Meteor with Angry Blizzard,'' Nathan Goodwin said.
"But we had a lot of success on the provincial circuit and are looking forward to 2025, especially as we are now training extensively for leading breeders Tyron Whittington and Greg Sprod.''
Goodwin, 46, took out a trainer's licence when he was 18, while wife Leanne has been training for just over four years.
Nathan Goodwin with Zipping Healy after another win in 2024 at The Gardens
Also celebrating a successful 2024 is hobby trainer Meredith Verhagen, who works full time managing a BP service station along with training 10 greyhounds and caring for her children, five-year-old son Nate and seven year old daughter Aria.
Meredith, whose father Alex Verhagen is a renowned breeder and owns Friday night's Gosford Cup finalist Miss Zig Zag along with National Derby fancy Zig Zag Man, had 724 starters in 2024 for 66 winners and 179 placegetters.
"I'm hoping to win a race or two at WP in 2025 but Siddie Swain gets all of dad's good dogs to train so I'm just biding my time at this stage,'' Meredith quipped.
