He bought a property at Longford where he intended to train and breed his own dogs.

However his training plans have been put on the backburner since he struck up a successful association with leading Brighton-based trainer Ted Medhurst.

After just eight months, Astbury in the state's leading owner and at Mowbray on Monday night he gets the chance to win one of the state's richest races.

He and Medhurst will be represented by well-related dog Sandbanker in the Launceston Cup final, worth $40,000 to the winner.

Sandbanker won his heat at odds of 50-1 but it didn't totally surprise his owner.

``I always knew he was a good dog _ if he jumped quickly enough,'' Astbury said.

``But wide draws have been hampering him.

``I was pleased when he got an inside box (two) in his heat and, luckily, he's got the same box in the final.

``Every dog in his litter has been handy.''

Astbury said that Medhurst was recommended to him as a stand-in trainer while he got his own place up and running.

``But, after we started having a bit of success, I decided there wasn't much point me trying to emulate him,'' he said.

``I'm very happy with his training and he's now got seven or eight of my dogs.''

Astbury said he did a lot of greyhound work at his veterinary practice in Sydney and had been training his own dogs since 1987.

``I was involved in the politics of it a bit and got a bit disillusioned with what was happening (in Sydney),'' he said.

``But I'm happy with the management of the industry in Tasmania.

``I'm enjoying the lifestyle here, especially while Ted is cracking it for a few wins.''