Darren Archer trained a winning double last night at Sandown Park just 10 months into his return to the caper.
He’s spent most of his life around greyhounds and was introduced to them by family at a young age. While working as a bricklayer for 36 years, he pre-trained and educated greyhounds on the side. Five years ago he decided to take a break from the sport.
“I went back to the real world as they call it, and it’s not as good as everyone makes it out to be,” laughed Archer.
A discussion over coffee with mentor and highly regarded trainer Kel Greenough led to Archer’s return.
“I had enough of laying bricks, I had a crook back and a crook hip. I was in this area doing a job and I called in to Kel’s. We sat down for a coffee and he said ‘why don’t you have a go’. After an hour and a half he talked me back into it.”
Archer trains a kennel of 18 out of Korumburra with last night’s double his first success at city level since his return.
“These are my first metro wins since I’ve been back, so I’m pretty happy.
“I’m really enjoying it, I really am. I’ve got good owners and good people around me. I’ve got to a lot to thank Kel for.”
The winning double was provided by Kiomara and Han Solo who are both owned by the Doyle family.
The team is headed by Greg Doyle who is a former AFL player with Melbourne and St Kilda throughout the 1990’s. As a youngster he trained a winner at Sandown in 1993, making it 25 years between city wins.
“I grew up about 400 metres from Sandown. I got involved in dogs when I was 18-19 then spent my time on footy and work. A few years ago I got into a syndicate, we owned and raced Outside Edge, who is the mother of these two who won tonight.
“She had a lot of potential but was retired after five starts due to injury, I decided to keep her myself and breed. This is the first litter I’ve had since getting back involved.”
They race five from the litter with each member of family owning one. Kiomara is owned by Doyle’s wife Soulla and Han Solo owned by their son Nick.
“I’m excited, I’ve always had belief in him (Han Solo, or Randy as he’s known at home),” Nick added.
Earlier in the night trainer Shane Jack claimed his first city win after two decades in the sport. Click here for his story
