Rob, after 50 years of interest and involvement in the greyhound industry I am very well aware of this. My philosophy is to plan on the "worst case" scenario, that is, as you spend each dollar, never expect to see that dollar again, anything better is a bonus but hopefully the rewards are in having a lot of fun. Seeing your dog go past the post in first place is an enormous thrill which you can reflect upon, from time to time, for the rest of your life. I do anyway.