By David Brasch

WHEN Dashing Fox turned around her form to win a 288m maiden at Ipswich in the middle of August, the entire grandstand, parts of Ipswich, and a few voices from above, burst into screaming acclaim.

That\’s because it was the first winner trained by soon-to-be 21-year-old Rebecca Buxton.

Few who know Rebecca and her family would be surprised by the achievement because she comes from generation after generation after generation of successful greyhound trainers.

\”I\’m pretty sure my pop Peter and nanna\’s pop Alf would have been cheering her home from up above,\” said Rebecca of the win by Dashing Fox who was given to Rebecca by Josephine Warbroek.

Dashing Fox had injured a hock back in December and Josephine kept her until April when she offered her to Rebecca.

The bitch had not been placed in nine previous starts before her win at Ipswich.

\”I changed her training around and it worked wonders,\” said Rebecca.

In the grandstand cheering on Dashing Fox was Rebecca\’s 14-year-old sister Kristal who already has her handler\’s license and has been learning the ropes catching plenty of dogs in recent months.

So was Alex Dunett, Rebecca\’s best friend, who rushed onto the track to share in the photo memories of the victory.

\”It was the greatest moment of my life,\” admitted Rebecca. \”Nanna (Di Buxton) was straight on the phone after the race all excited.

\”Nanna and Peter Carlton have been such a beautiful help to me since I started training.\”

Rebecca now has three dogs in training and high hopes for a young Collision bitch showing plenty of promise.

She has been ‘tagging along’ behind Peter and Di Buxton for decades relishing the chance to see the family\’s greats especially Melbourne and Brisbane Cup winner, and Queensland Greyhound of the Year, Got A Moment.

\”I\’ve got a huge collection of photos of all the winners over the years,\” said Rebecca. \”My first was back in 2007 of On The Ropes and I was only eight at the time. I\’ve got winning photos everywhere.\”

Dashing Fox\’s Ipswich victory is certain to hold pride of place.

And the win has now inspired Rebecca\’s sister Kristal.

\”She is so keen to start training her own dogs as well,\” said Rebecca.

At the moment Rebecca is a self described ‘little hobby trainer’, but her family influence will make sure she is never without a greyhound.

Alf Bool, Di Buxton\’s grandfather, was a training great in the old days of straight racing long before night greyhound racing started. Di went everywhere with him racing dogs.

Champion hurdler Chief Loamside, Many Peaks and Trade Terms were all stars of the Bool kennel, while Star Legend was a brilliant sprinter.

Alf gave Di Buxton her first dog, Black Quiver a winner at Beenleigh.

Rebecca was particularly close to her grandfather Peter.

\”I remember the night Got A Moment won the Brisbane Cup, pop fell over in the grandstand and almost had a heart attack,\” she said.

Peter would be incredibly proud of Rebecca Buxton.

Pictured: Rebecca Buxton with Dashing Fox after victory in a 288m maiden at Ipswich (Photo: Just Greyhound Photos)