Up against a hot field that included Pearcedale-trained El Galo - the dog many believe is the best in Australia - Remo Rubik overcame an outside barrier with a fast start to cross quickly into third.

With El Galo storming to the lead, Mitchell's two-year-old found something extra and crossed onto the rail to force a photo finish.

"I was screaming and yelling, but we weren't sure if we'd got there," he said. "El Galo's trainer (Jason Thompson) was saying it was a dead heat. It was a rush when they said we won it."

Mitchell and his dog now hold the last Wangaratta Cup title ever, with the close of racing at the track.

While Mitchell has trained greyhounds for more than 30 years, racing became the focus of his life about seven years ago when he and wife Lyn bought a greyhound facility in Homeleigh Road. "I was a brickie all my life and needed a change. Mitchell Lodge came along and we fixed it up."

Mitchell is coy about his prospects. "We've got a couple who look good. They're not named yet, but they're 16-17 months old."

One thing's for sure, Remo Rubik - and Geoff Mitchell for that matter - are names to watch.