However, recently she only found the good when she took away a double, plus a second, from her first trip to Wagga as a greyhound trainer.

Originally from Cowra, Melissa was an elite swimmer growing up before injury forced her into retirement. Around five years ago she took an interest in greyhounds and has not looked back.

Melissa has now gone under the wing of Yass’ renowned trainer Neil Staines, and has since showed promise.

“The Staines’ have been very welcoming and nice,” she said. “They have made me feel part of the family which is good.

“Plus Neil took a chance hiring me and I don’t want to let him down.”

Melissa did the complete opposite last week when Crazy Carrie won a Wagga meet’s opening race. That was backed up by a win from another prodigy, Cinnamon Sugar, five starts later.

But she wasn’t done with yet, as another of her dogs, Boltless, came second in another race.

“It was great to get the double. Getting one win at a meet is usually a bonus, but getting two and the second was a great result.”

Continuing her hot form, Melissa impressed again at the weekend when she took away another heat win, with in-form Cinnamon Sugar getting up over 400 metres again in Wagga.

The dogs are treated essentially like athletes at the Staines’ farm.

They are fed a quality diet, tendered to regularly and given appropriate training on a very regular basis.

However, Melissa admits that she is prone to get in strife if she dotes on her racing greyhounds too long.

“You have to treat them with respect, but they are athletes and Neil sometimes gets me in trouble if I am too friendly and cuddly with them.”

According to Melissa, and contrary to popular belief, the greyhound is a very affectionate and loving dog.

“The muzzle gives them a bad rep, they make great pets. They can really only race between the age of one and four so after that they are sold as domestic pets through a special program.

“It is funny though, once they are finished racing they all become so lazy as if they are done with running altogether,” she laughed.

Melissa hopes her good form will continue as she eyes off several lucrative finals over the coming weeks and months.