You really need to get a young dog who is most probably seen as not being up to it and hope that it improves a bit with time and patience!! How you forsee this is the problem!! Someone always knows someone else who is looking to give a dog away but be patient and ask alot of questions, you don't want to end up with a ill mannered dog that will sour your first experience with them. You need one with a good temperament who has the chance of improving. $500 will only buy you a $500 giveaway your better to put the $$ towards gear and tucker for your dog. Just don't expect to win races with a giveaway and then if you do its a bonus!! I gave one away recently in ended up in W.A and has now won 2 and ran a few places from 20 odd starts!!