Greyhounds have certainly been a way of life for Bob Glover, who is hoping for more success at Unibet Gardens on Wednesday.
The 66-year-old trainer, who has a quartet of dogs racing at the Gardens, was introduced to greyhounds as a child.
His grandfather was a bookie at Harold Park and he helped uncles with their dogs before serving as a soldier for six years.
After finishing a tour of Vietnam in 1968 and leaving the army shortly afterwards, there was only way his life would go.
“The dogs have kept me going,” Glover said. “That – and having a good wife.
“I like the travelling and seeing and meeting new people.
“If the dogs are going well, then you are going well. If they aren’t then, then it’s a bit of a downer.
“You know if you keep working the next decent one will be along soon, so you just keep doing that until you are smiling again.”
Over the years Glover has bred and reared scores of dogs with assistance from his wife, Val.
The pair still train dogs from their Mid North Coast home at Nabiac and also assist the committee at Taree Greyhound Racing Club.
Glover said planning ahead was the key to a long and productive career in greyhound racing.
“I would say to anyone, talk to someone who has good experience of what you want you want to do, whether it’s training, owning or breeding,” he said. “Then you won’t make the mistakes they have done.
“Do I still get excited when I get a win? Of course – I don’t think you ever lose that.”
Glover’s best chance of success at The Gardens appears to be Ity Bity Boy in the Unibet Sprint Series Heats.
The improving dog, who will start from box four, is making his first start at 400m but has a win and four consecutive placings from his last five starts.
Glover believes the dog could improve when he matures, although he may have to work hard for a win on Wednesday night.
“He has been badly boxed,” Glover said.
“He has a habit of moving around a bit (and) is a bit erratic.
“If he can stay out of trouble then he has a chance.
“He is still young. If he can keep learning, he could be a decent dog.”
Nuggets Thyme (box three) and Where’s Bri in box five are worth a look.
Ten races are on the card at the Gardens and action starts at 3.37pm.
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