HAVING spent the past nine days based in Longlea, prominent New Zealand greyhound trainer Karen Walsh is hoping star stayer Thrilling Brat can defy his outsider odds to win the $40,000 Group Two Zoom Top Invitation (725m) at The Meadows tonight.Thrilling Brat – yesterday rated a $61 chance by TAB Racing – is the first New Zealand-bred and trained greyhound to be invited to contest an Australian Group race.Since arriving from New Zealand, Walsh and three of her dogs, Thrilling Brat, Thrilling Sprat and Thrilling Quest, have spent the past nine days staying at Ian and Jane Garland’s Longlea property.Walsh met the Garland’s at a 50th birthday party in New Zealand last year.Although at long odds tonight, Thrilling Brat has won 18 of his 28 starts and is unbeaten past 600m in New Zealand.“He hasn’t drawn well. He likes the wide draw, but has drawn inside (box two), so that’s why he’s probably paying so much,” Walsh said yesterday.“But if he can get the right run then I think he can put himself right in the race.“I’d say he’s the leading stayer in New Zealand at the moment, so we’re looking forward to seeing how he goes. It’s a great honour to be invited to compete in this race.”Thrilling Brat will also compete in the Australian Stayers Trophy while in the country.