About 8.20pm, 3-year-old Turbo - who races under the name Eyrewell Turbo - escaped from his cage, which was on the back of its owner’s vehicle at the McDonald’s Oamaru car park after owner Bob Cairns stopped for an ice cream.
Heather Cairns said her husband opened the cage’s door slightly to give the white and brindle-coloured Turbo some air while he went inside.
When he returned, Turbo, who had raced earlier that day in Invercargill, was gone.
After being spotted and tracked by Mr Cairns running along State Highway 1, then on to lower Thames St and eventually Test St, Turbo disappeared into the Cape Wanbrow reserve.
Despite an extensive search of the area Turbo, who was wearing an olive-green coat, was not located until about 5pm on Thursday.
Mrs Cairns said he was discovered lying down in a grassed area well off one of the cape’s marked tracks, near a cliff edge.
Turbo was unable to walk, she said.
"His pads are pretty cut up and he has a few scratches and bruises, but overall it was really just damage to his feet."
He was assessed at an Oamaru veterinary clinic, where he was put on a drip and an X-ray was taken of one of his legs, which was slightly swollen, but did not require further treatment.
Mrs Cairns was delighted Turbo had been found.
"It was such a huge relief and we are extremely grateful to the people that helped us find him. He’s a bit tired, but very happy."
Mr and Mrs Cairns, Turbo and his brother Aston travelled back to their Christchurch home yesterday morning.
