Robert Smith has been remembered as a "super" greyhound trainer and a devoted family man following his death at the age of 68 on Wednesday night after a six-month battle with cancer.
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The respected Barnsley trainer was a group 1 winner with Lochinvar Marlow in the 2010 Paws Of Thunder but he was best known for his efforts with Miss Elly Mint.
From 2006 to 2009, Miss Elly Mint won 44 of 66 career starts. Her biggest win was in the Gosford Cup and she held the then-record for the most consecutive victories on TAB tracks at 16.
Smith trained exclusively for Lake Macquarie businessman and good friend Kevin Gordon over the past 12 years and had success with the likes of Lochinvar Vogue, Lochinvar Hugo and Lochinvar Chase.
"He was a super trainer and a super friend of mine, my best mate," Gordon said. "We'd been close for 20 years.
"He was a hardened greyhound man but behind the scenes he was the most loving, caring family man. He had more time for his family than anything else."
Smith is survived by wife Debbie, daughters Kimberley and Nikita and grandchildren Hally, Alexander and Archie.
Craig Kerry
Craig Kerry is a sports reporter for the Newcastle Herald.
Craig Kerry is a sports reporter for the Newcastle Herald.
