Dolly overcomes huge obstacles to win
Peter Fenemor • February 3rd, 2026 11:03 AM • 5 min read
The Racing Industry is full of heart-warming stories with a number of them frequently told following the first win claimed by either a horse or greyhound.
There is an emotional story behind the first career win secured by the Marcie Flipp prepared Dolly Drama during last Tuesday’s Whanganui Straight Track meeting (Race 2).
Most people would have given up on continuing with a race preparation for a greyhound like Dolly Drama following the wide range of issues she had to overcome just to make it to the races.
Dolly Drama was who you could describe as an ‘accident prone kid’. She broke a leg twice while growing up, then she had to overcome a disease.
Dolly’s story began before she was even born. Mum Scooter’s Rose was a handy bitch during her racing career, winning 18 races while trained by Flipp.
Upon her retirement Flipp, along with an owing syndicate member Alex Todd decided to breed from Scooter’s Rose.
She missed during her first two matings, then a third mating attempt had to be abandoned owing to Covid restrictions in place at the time.
By now Scooter’s Rose had reached an age where a Greyhound Racing NZ breeding rule had kicked in – she required dispensation and a veterinary clearance to be mated. She flew through that and was successfully mated to Cawbourne Brick.
On 16 January 2023 Scooter’s Rose delivered a healthy litter of five puppies.
Dolly encountered a paddock accident when she was three months old, breaking a leg. She was rushed to a vet for surgery with the leg successfully operated on.
Obviously, she was confined to lead walking while recuperating. During that period, while being walked, she spotted some of her greyhound friends on the other side of a gate. She jumped up to greet them, rebreaking the leg.
Back to the vet, more surgery, more recovery time, which again was successfully completed.
Then at age 15 months Dolly started coughing up blood. Marcie didn’t hesitate to take her back to the vet, where a scope was required. It wasn’t a cheap exercise.
Following a course of antibiotics Dolly had recuperated and the breaking in process began as Flipp recalls.
“I didn’t hesitate, nor did my owner Alex to do what we could for Dolly.
“The vet costs for Dolly had reached around $15,000 and I would do it all again in a heartbeat. I thought to myself that I have all the time in the world and I was determined to get Dolly to the races.”
It was in May last year when Dolly was taken to the Whanganui straight track for a qualifying trial. She had to break the 18.50 313m qualifying time. However, she missed, recording 18.53.
Two weeks later it was back for another qualifying trial, again she recorded 18.53.
Undeterred, three weeks later Flipp took Dolly back for her third qualifying attempt. Success – she posted a 17.80 313m trial and earnt her racing ticket – it was off to the races for Dolly!
She finished fifth in her 1 July debut race after being checked. “Dolly got poleaxed early on in her debut race,” explained Flipp.
Another ten carefully planned races, which included three minor placings followed, until Dolly Drama secured last week's thoroughly deserved Maiden victory, running a creditable 17.80.
It was celebration time for Marcie, along with Alex Todd and Marcie’s mum Rae, being the members of the Dolly’s Fan Club syndicate.
“Dolly winning a race was a dream come true. It was extremely satisfying in the end, more satisfying than winning big races. I was so very proud,” advised Flipp.
“Everyone at the track were so pleased for Dolly, with her receiving plenty of pats. It was like a big family victory for everyone.
“Dolly knew she did good, proudly strutting around afterwards. The look on her face was priceless!
“She has a home for life with me.”
Dolly Drama will be loaded away into trap eight this afternoon (Race 9), which Flipp considers will be okay for her charge.
“Dolly is full of herself. She drags me full bore to the traps and she’ll do the same today. She won’t mind jumping from the eight.”
Marcie Flipp has been a valued and key industry participant since 1998, when she began her association within the code when working for last month’s five-time winning Auckland Cup trainer Craig Roberts.
She spent a lot of time on the road for Roberts, including travelling and caring for Roberts first Auckland Cup winner Denzil Bale (1999).
“Yes, I did a lot of travelling for Craig back then. I especially remember Denzil who I had a great affinity with.”
And Marcie Flipp is renowned for her perseverance in successfully bringing back greyhounds to win races following serious injury.
Go Norman is a great example as Flipp explains. “He fractured his skull in an accident. I looked after him, nursing him back to being an active dog again.
“It was especially satisfying getting Norman back to win races,” she explained about the meticulous six-month passage both her and Norman went on to return to racing. “Norman is now enjoying life as a pet in Hawera.”
Industry participants like Marcie Flipp are the backbone of our industry. For her the greyhound always comes first.
“Greyhounds respond to TLC (tender loving care). We owe it to them to give them every opportunity and all the comforts of life, regardless of what it takes. That’s why we do what we do.”
