SANDRA ELPHINSTONE is one of the most passionate greyhound trainers in Tasmania with her involvement beginning almost from the day she could walk.
Today she balances her life with training a small team of five as well as working full-time as an administration officer at the North-West GeneralHospital in her home town of Burnie.
Her father Arnold and mother Margaret started training greyhounds part-time before Sandra was born.
“I probably didn’t have an option when it came to greyhounds because they have always been a part of my life,” Elphinstone said.
“But for as long as I can remember I have loved being around greyhounds because they are such fantastic, lovable animals and that is what makes training them such a delight,” she said.
She started learning the art of greyhound training from age seven.
“It was more of an apprenticeship under Dad.” Elphinstone said.
“When I was about seven he said I could help him walk the dogs provided I kept up with him and didn’t lag behind.”
That’s probably the reason why she is sometimes affectionately referred to as
“Speedy” at race meetings.
“I was allowed to help Dad feed the dogs soon after and then he started to teach me about other parts of training greyhounds and I thought it was fascinating.” she said.
Having greyhounds in her life also made for some embarrassing moments at school.
“In silent reading classes I would often get caught with a form guide stuck in the novel I was supposed to be reading and that led to a note going home to my parents.”
“School reports also mentioned greyhounds interfering withy my education.”
“I also liked to have a punt. I’d get my pocket money and arrange for someone to put on the odd quinella or small each-way bet for me.”
“I’ve never been what you would call a big punter but it’s nice to have an interest now and then,” she said.
The days of the big plunges are long gone but Elphinstone remembers one plunge that her parents were involved in that made back page headlines in the local paper.
“Dad had a dog named Delboures Star that won at 33-1 and the headline on the paper then ext day read “Delboures Star cleans out bookies, but that was in the good old days when punters flocked to the race tracks,” she said.
“Mum and Dad trained a dog named North West Star that was trained to help raise money for a school in Devonport that was destroyed by fire.”
“That was for a good cause but it also helped to try and get people involved in greyhound racing and it worked well,” she said.
North West Star also ran second in a National Distance Championship final.
The Elphinstones are a close-knit family with all members involved in some way with greyhound racing but Sandra, who still lives with her parents, is clearly the most passionate.
“My brother Arnold junior also is a trainer and over the years my sister Julie has been involved as an owner (syndicate member) and my cousin Scott Bryan has just regained his trainer’s licence and he’ll be back racing a couple of pups in the next few weeks,” she said.
“But for me it is a lifestyle and I just can’t imagine not having greyhounds in my life,” she said.
Sandra has had her share of success over the years and recalled the feeling of preparing that first winner.
“My first winner as a trainer was Black Spot in 1990, just after I got my licence.”
“It was a great thrill and no doubt inspired me to keep training.”
“Black Spot was a litter brother to Smart Aim that I part-owned with trainer Russell Watts and she still holds the 580-metre track record at Devonport.”
“Smart Aim won 33 races that included one at Sandown (Victoria) and I took her over for that race which was quite a thrill at the time.””
“The success was great and I think I had new clothes every week for some time after that,” she said.
In more recent times Elphinstone has enjoyed success with her small team that includes Smart Ability that has the distinction of being the oldest dog racing in Tasmania.
Smart Ability has had 170 starts for nine wins and 43 minor placings, of which 40 have been on the Launceston circuit.
“Smart Ability is a marvel. He just loves racing and while he stays sound and is still keen to race we’ll keep going with him,” she said.
Others in her kennel include Smart Asco that has won five and been placed 19 times from 83 starts and Posh Bluin that has won five and notched 19 minor placings from 46 outings.
Posh Gem has only recently joined the kennel but his record of one win and two thirds from only five starts is sure to improve greatly in the coming months.
“Posh Gem is a very placid and relaxed dog that travels extremely well. With age and more field experience I’m sure he will develop into quite a reasonable dog,” she said,
With the exception of a week’s holiday most years, Elphinstone attends almost every greyhound race meeting in Tasmania.
“I’ve been quite lucky with my job at the hospital because I am able to work flexi hours that allows me to work around my greyhound involvement.”
“There was a time when everything was starting to get me down but that passed and right at the minute I am as keen as ever about training greyhounds,” she said.
Elphinstone is still looking for a star performer that can give her the first feature race win.
“Every winner I get is a highlight for me but of course I’d love to win a Hobart Thousand or a Launceston or Devonport Cup.”
“Smart Agio made the final of the 2007 Launceston Cup and while he didn’t win it was a great night.”
“My sister Julie organised an “Agio Army” supporter’s bus trip to the meeting and as the dog was number eight the 30 members of the army all wore pink outfits,” she said.
While there are no feature race trophies on the mantel piece at home she still in search of the champion that will get her that feature race win.