The success of Javi is thanks to a great partnership between greyhound trainer Marlene Schmidt and her husband Chris, as well as co-owner Gayle Osborne who regularly catches Javi.
And no doubt, Marlene’s parents Kevin and Audrey Christie and Gayle’s mum and dad, Ashley and Beryl Osborne, have provided terrific influence over their daughters who share a special bond, thanks to greyhound racing.
It is interesting to note that both Schmidt and Osborne are of an age where much younger people would assume that these very active women would not be chasing, enjoying, and achieving sporting success. Yet greyhound racing is a remarkable platform for people of any age to get involved.
In Part 2 of a heart-warming interview, RSN race-caller Victoria Shaw asked Schmidt and Osborne what greyhound racing has done for their lives, and how accessible is the sport for women to become involved?
“It just gives you great involvement, from the time you get up until the time you go to bed, you just love being around the dogs.”
“It made me do something I loved; I was lucky enough to leave school and go straight into doing dogs with my late father and late mother, and the same with Marlene,” Osborne said.
“Marlene’s dad had greyhounds and her mum was instrumental in keeping things running on the farm and keeping everything going and things like that.
“I just like the people that you meet and getting out and about, it’s like a little community of its own.
“Times have changed in the last 10 years to what it once was. Everyone is equal. There is no barrier between men and women, we’re all equal.
“It just gives you great involvement, from the time you get up until the time you go to bed, you just love being around the dogs. I think it is the same with everybody, you wouldn’t be in it, thick and thin, sun or rain, if you didn’t love it. You just do it because you love it.”
To which Schmidt added: “I have been in dogs all my life with my dad, and even when I got married, my mum and dad gave us a greyhound… Chris had never been in dogs, and I don’t think he was that impressed (to start with) but since then, he has been involved in greyhounds too.
“He used to train dogs, now he just stays home, which is good, because I can get out and I don’t have to worry about getting home and putting the dogs out and feeding them. He does all that, as soon as I get home, everything is done. So, it has been good. It is a great sport for anybody.”
Shaw, Schmidt and Osborne all concur amongst much laughter that a greyhound as a wedding present is an ideal gift – albeit, as Schmidt later pointed out, “you wouldn’t want one like the one we got though, he wasn’t that good.”
Since the season 2013/2014, Schmidt’s small but effective kennel has amassed more than $300,000 in stakes. An achievement to be proud of – particularly so when she and many others like her are involved in greyhound racing, first and foremost, because of their love of the animal and how much greyhounds enjoy their racing.
However, the ability for people from all walks of life to get involved in the sport should never be ignored – particularly, when at the very least, you have ability to cover your costs.
The opportunity to rehome a greyhound upon retirement is also a lot easier than rehoming a racehorse. And, in Javi’s case, Shaw suspects he will be shuttling between Schmidt’s and Osborne’s homes as a retired professional athlete, enjoying their never-ending love of greyhounds.
Pawnote: Javi (Box 3) is engaged today at Healesville – Race 6, 12.58pm.
WATCH: JAVI (B7) notches his 16th ‘Meadows’ win on September 21.
