Chris Arletos admits to being excited as the only trainer with two finalists in Tuesday's Bulli qualifier for the Million Dollar Chase but concedes his dogs Fawn Rupee and James Alarm are up against "probably the two fastest dogs in Australia" in Power And Glory and Jungle Johnny.
In last week's Bulli heats Fawn Rupee was sent out as a $71 chance but stunned racegoers by leading all the way, just holding off Power And Glory to win in a photo finish.
Fawn Rupee covered the 472m in 26.12 while James Alarm also made Tuesday night's final by setting a scorching pace before finishing fourth, clocking 26.35 in the process, to Jungle Johnny.
The 72-year-old Arletos said: "Before the box draw I told fellow trainer Peter Lagogiane I wanted boxes two and eight and my wish came true.
"Fawn Rupee and James Alarm are only 23 months old and are still improving.
"While there is not much between them in ability Fawn Rupee could be my better chance on Tuesday because until last week he had not been over the 472m trip at Bulli.''
Arletos secured Fawn Rupee and James Alarm through breeding their dam, Springfield Mae, a litter sister to his former brilliant front-runner Black Fox.
"When Springfield Mae came in season she was owned by Angela Murray and I happened to be in possession of a straw from the stud dog Aston Rupee.
"I gave it to Angela so she could put Springfield Mae to Aston Rupee and later, as a thank you, she gave me three puppies from the litter that came from the mating.
"Fawn Rupee and James Alarm were among the three youngsters she prestented to me.''
Arletos is a retired concreter who became involved with greyhounds 40 years ago after doing some work for Granville trainer Johnny Attard.
"Through watching him with his dogs I became interested and after he told me about a litter by Glider's Son from Janarlee Jazz I gave him $2500 to buy one of their puppies.
"Racing as Just For Trish, she had ability but after she ran fourth at her first two starts, at Bathurst, and then finished fourth at Goulburn at her next start, I was ready to sack her.
"But before leaving Goulburn I threw my last $50 on a racehorse called Travelling Prayer, and when it won at 25/1 I was encouraged me to hang on to Just For Trish for a while.
"Johnny Attard then gave Just For Trish to me to train myself and she won first up at Lithgow by 10 lengths.
"From then on I was hooked, getting training advice Johnny and especially from the mother of former successful Hunter Valley trainer Bruce Mackie.
"I also learned how to check dogs for injuries from the late Ron Roberts, who was a taxi driver but who was a genius at checking dogs and keeping them sound.
Fawn Rupee
Until Fawn Rupee and James Alarm came along the best Arletos has trained have arguably been Black Fox and Princess Fox, who won 22 races, although he plumps for Awesome Fawn as the fastest.
"Awesome Fawn broke down after only two starts but he was a rocket, breaking track records in 300m and 400m trials at Richmond when he was 17 months old,'' Arletos declared.
