The week may not have started on the right note for Balcairn greyhound trainers Jean and Dave Fahey, but their mood certainly changed at Addington last night.

The Faheys' best dog, Palucka, was scratched at the weekend from last night's New Zealand Cup due to injury, only for Opawa Swede to come along and win New Zealand's richest greyhound race instead.

Jean Fahey said the kennel staff were a bit down after Palucka's scratching.

''That was pretty disappointing for us because he's a nice young dog and he's one of the favourites.''

Opawa Swede's box speed proved to be the winning turn for the Faheys and owners Opawa Racing Ltd, headed by Robin Wales, as he got to the lead and galloped away, winning by 3 lengths in 30.28.

''He's the better jumper, Opawa Swede, so he could put himself in it,'' Fahey said.

''We were hoping he would do that tonight and he did so we're really pleased with that result.''

The Opawa Racing Syndicate now has four New Zealand Cups, following on from Winsome Show (2006), Winsome Daisy (2007) and Winsome Bucks (2009).

''They've been such good supporters of our kennels so it's great that our loyal owners have been successful tonight.''

While the Faheys are old hands at training big-race winners, Follow Fame provided Rakaia trainer Marcie Flipp with a career highlight when she led from the boxes to win the group 2 $30,000 Galaxy Sprint.

''That's the best [result] so far,'' Flipp said.

Follow Fame arrived in New Zealand from Australia earlier this year, but Flipp had some work to do with the Magic Sprite bitch after she injured a pin muscle in her right shoulder.

She told owner James Schierny that time would be needed before Follow Fame made it back to the track.

''I said to James a wee while ago, just have patience and trust me and we'll have a lot of fun. Now he's saying the patience has paid off.''

Flipp originally intended to run Follow Fame over the middle distances, but the injury changed her plans.

''Because of her injury, I've just mollycoddled her a wee bit and thought she's quick enough to get out of the boxes and be competitive in sprinting. I've actually proved myself right for once.''