Lorraine and Jack Roy are proof that greyhound racing can lead to wedded bliss.
The couple, who have SERIOUS">SERIOUS Chance among three entrants at Tuesday's Goulburn meeting, have been married since 1961.
They started looking after dogs about 45 years ago after keen punter Jack brought home a dog and announced to his wife that she was going to train their new charge.
"I had Never seen a greyhound before," Lorraine said. "I didn't go to the dogs or know what a greyhound was.
"Jack had just decided that if you can't beat them, you might as well join them.
"I think it's been a family thing for us. We do fight occasionally over the dogs but it's Never big things.
"It's helped keep us together."
The couple, who are based in Wallendbeen, close to Cootamundra in the NSW Riverina district, have now been breeding, owning and training dogs for more than 50 years.
It has had its ups and downs but Lorraine said she loved the emotions of racing.
"I love the feeling you get when you breed a dog, break it in, put in all the time and effort with the dog and then you get a win with it," she said. "It's a real sense of accomplishment.
"You feel that you have achieved something.
"I love the dogs as well. They are so sweet and good natured."
SERIOUS Chance, who goes from box five in the Goulburn To Richmond Sprint Series (457m), is their latest promising charge.
He has three wins and two placings from his five outings so far and is moving smoothly through the distances.
"He has not been on a U-Turn track before so it will be interesting to see how he goes," Lorraine said.
"He trialled well at Temora but when you get to a different track for racing, it's a different story.
"I don’t think box five will affect him too much as he's still a young dog, (although) he seems to like the outside.
"I'm not getting overly confident but I would say he has a chance."
Also in the race is Conamara Max (box seven), a winner last week over 457m at Goulburn.
Box eight dog Beneke has not been in winning form recently but has recorded solid displays in handy company.
Ten races are on the card at Goulburn on Tuesday and action starts at 1.03pm.
For Goulburn fields, form and expert tips, click here.
