Luke Smith has held his trainer’s licence for less than two years and on Thursday night at Sandown Park, Thorkildsen became his first greyhound to capture a city race.

Thorkildsen was purchased from mentor and breeder Ashley Craven and was the first greyhound Luke educated to race.

“It was very exciting, and I wasn’t expecting it,” Luke told Jason Adams and George Farrugia on RSN today.

“Apparently everyone at home was jumping up and down screaming when he won.”

“Even woke our 10-month-old daughter up.”

Thorkildsen (1) gives 32-year-old Luke Smith his first city win as a trainer.

A sheet metal and insulation professional by trade, Luke trains a team of six dogs from his suburban home in Drouin.

“My dad (Ken Smith) used to train dogs in the 60s, 70s and 80s, so there has always been a bit of interest around the dogs even after Dad stopped training.”

“My parents love that I am involved in the dogs, it gives them another interest.”

A former athlete himself, Luke individualises a training program to suit each of his greyhounds needs as he did for himself when he was competing in athletics and football.

“I have the mentality of training dogs how I would train myself and it is very much trial and error.”

Luke is competitive by nature but realistic in his greyhound training aspirations.

“I would love to win a major race, but the more prestigious the race, the harder the competition.”

George Farrugia and Jason Adams tackle the biggest news in greyhound racing on RSN every Wednesday and Friday from 12pm. The show currently has no name, but that’s up to you! Tune in live, or catch up on your favourite podcast app.