Late In Winter, a talented greyhound with a strong connection to the Moran family, is set to compete in the Phil Davis Memorial final at Richmond on Friday night. The 520-meter race carries special significance for trainer Nicole Wallace, whose family has deep ties to the track and the event.

Late In Winter recently delivered a commanding performance in the Listed Ultra Sense final on Golden Easter Egg night, securing a memorable victory for Wallace. This success came just days after the passing of her mother, Pauline Moran, a Group 1-winning conditioner closely associated with champion stayers in the early 2000s. Late In Winter continues to race in Pauline Moran’s name as the registered owner, honoring her legacy. The greyhound, a son of Aston Rupee, has qualified for multiple Group finals this season and has amassed 13 wins from 34 starts.

The upcoming Phil Davis Memorial final holds particular emotional weight for Wallace. The race commemorates Phil Davis, a respected veterinarian who worked extensively at Richmond and was well-known within the local racing community. Wallace recalls early career memories working alongside Davis at Richmond, beginning as a kennel attendant when she was about 15 years old. She also shared personal anecdotes linking Davis with her family’s champion dog, Total Denial, who received care from Davis after sustaining an injury.

Late In Winter secured his place in the Phil Davis Memorial final by winning his heat in 30.03 seconds. Wallace expressed surprise at the qualification, especially after drawing box eight in the heat—a position she believed was not ideal for advancing. However, for the final, Late In Winter has been assigned box two, a slot from which Wallace notes the dog has not had much success historically. She mentioned the greyhound appears to accelerate better from the outside boxes in recent races.

Despite these challenges, Wallace remains optimistic and understands the race’s importance beyond the prize money, which is set at $7,000 for the winner. “He knows what it means to me,” she said, signaling her hope that Late In Winter will honor both the memory of Phil Davis and the legacy of her mother in the upcoming race.