Mel’s spreading the fairytale

Caption: Melissa Arandale with Undivided.

Each month Chase puts the spotlight on a person and/or their ‘best friend’ – a story that gives an insight into the true heart of greyhound racing. It showcases all that is good in this sport and is a monthly tribute to much-loved greyhound identity Daryl ‘Albert’ Gleeson.

By DAVID BRASCH

THERE is not much around greyhound racing that Melissa Arandale has not tried … that is until she recently took out a trainer’s licence.

It is another feather in her cap and one she and racecaller, husband Mark, are embracing with the passion they have always shown for everything in the industry.

Mel is 49. She and Mark have been together for 28 years and married for 18. “It is a fairytale love story,” said Mel.

“Yes, there is a family history in greyhounds, especially as Mark’s parents Athol and Val had dogs.”

Mel’s hands-on approach to the industry traces back 27 years ago and centred around Grafton.

“I have probably done just about everything I could do at one time or another,” said Mel.

“I started in the canteen, went to the race day office, tried judging for years in the old days of developed prints, and was always in the general office during the July carnival.

“I got my brother Shane O’Shea involved years ago and now he is a full-time steward in the Hunter region.

“And I spent time working in the TAB on track.”

It was a baptism of fire for Mel.

In the meantime, she and Mark had two children, Josh now 23 and Sam 21.

“We moved to Lismore some time ago when Mark took over as racecaller at Casino and Lismore,” said Mel.

It was a time when Mark got into ownership with mates racing the Kidartee dogs with Brad Northfield with great success.

“I fell in love with the whole industry,” said Mel.

A move back to Grafton nine years ago saw club skipper John Corrigan drag Mel back trackside.

“John rang and said he needed a swab steward,” said Mel. “My brother Shane was a casual steward and club steward at the time and he taught me the swab process. I stayed three years doing that.”

During this time Mel took on the job as back-up steward at Casino and Lismore when needed. It fitted in perfectly because Mark would be there racecalling. “And, I got back into judging as well.”

A couple of years ago the passion of the dog itself came calling.

“I wanted to get a handler’s licence,” she said.

“I started helping out anyone and everyone, catching, leading out dogs. I knew everyone so I was very busy.

“Six months of that was enough to convince me I wanted to train a dog or two of my own.”

That’s when she and Mark got Undivided and Gypsy Road. Mark’s dad Athol picked them out. Undivided (Orson Allen-Laurie’s Jackie) came from the Evelyn Harris kennel.

There was no prouder person at Grafton the night Undivided ran for the 100th time than Mel Arandale. He’s won (to the time of writing) 22 races and been placed 32 times for $56,000.

Warren  Kempshall trains him for Mel.

Gypsy Road is a litter sister to Undivided, with 12 wins.

Since then, Mel and Mark have built four kennels at their Grafton home and two Pindari Express-Tribal Magic youngsters are about to start their racing careers with their enthusiastic trainer.

“Gypsy Road had a season and is on her way back,” said Mel.

“Having such a close relationship with so many people in the Northern Rivers has allowed me to have so many mentors in the training business.

“I have been known to ask the dumbest questions, but I always get the right answers.”

Robbie Andrews reared the Pindari Express-Tribal Magic pups and he too has been a “wealth of knowledge” for Mel.

“I learn something every single day.”

Mel said the youngsters are showing plenty of potential, the bitch “Flo” a natural, but the dog “Teddy” a dufus at this stage.

“I have instantly found that you have to have patience in the training game, and you have to learn to train each dog differently.”

Mark is a “hands-on” husband with Mel’s greyhound training.

“It’s very exciting for us.”

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