BENDIGO, Wednesday, January 10. Race two, box three. Relief.
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These were the nine words Scott Manning - a greyhound trainer for just three months - used to describe the first winner he trained after more than 40 years in the sport.
New Apollo is the greyhound behind his happiness.
“I just felt relief at first. Relief that I can actually train,” Manning said.
The Manning family, namely Scott’s grandfather Norm and father Peter, have been greyhound educators for more than 45 years, running the Manning Greyhound Complex in Bendigo.
Scott is the only one of the trio to puruse getting a trainer’s licence.
With community inclusion and a constant search for young participants at the heart of their business, the Manning Greyhound Complex and the Bendigo Greyhound Racing Association have been supporters of local charities Give Me 5 For Kids and Beyond Blue.
A chippy by trade, Manning was able to utilise his work on the tools and upbringing in greyhounds to revamp their kennel property, which includes a GRV registered trial track and a domestic boarding kennel.
“Greyhounds have been my life for so many years, even during my time as a chippy it was good to have the dogs to go back to,” Manning said.
The Manning family’s love for greyhound racing doesn’t stop with Scott, his two daughters Amber, 16, and Amelia, 4, share the same passion.
“Amber and Amelia are always helping with the dogs,” he said.
“Amber is in the process of applying for her catcher’s licence which she is very excited about.”
With a new found understanding and appreciation for the racing side of greyhounds, rather than just the education, Manning believes he will never be able to step away from training.
Greyhounds have been my life for so many years, even during my time as a chippy it was good to have the dogs to go back to.
- Scott Manning
“Training and educating work hand in hand, I have a better understanding of what both race dogs and educators need now,” he said.
“Even when we get busy with breakers I still want to keep my toe in training.
“I am interacting with so many great people at the races, and watching a dog go around that you have put work into is pretty special.”
Bendigo Greyhound Racing Association Manager Troy Harley is one of those “great people” and was the driving force behind Manning applying for his trainer’s licence.
Although New Apollo was not the first greyhound Manning has trainer, he believes the dog is capable of delivering a lot more racing firsts for him.
New Apollo is now a winner of three consecutive races from seven starts.
After starting out her career over the shorts at Bendigo, Manning decided to step her up in distance which has resulted in immediate success.