RUSSELL WATTS has been one of Tasmania’s top greyhound trainers for many years and considered by his peers as a master mentor.
Regarded as a shy bloke who doesn’t seek media attention Watts was thrust into the limelight this week when he established a record that he more high profiled trainers in Australia would be proud.
Watts trained six winners in succession over two meetings.
He prepared the last two winners on the 10-event card in Launceston on Monday night and yesterday afternoon he prepared the first four winners on the program at Devonport.
His Launceston winners were Destine To Dream in a grade four and Sour Pop in a grade five over 515 metres and both were heavily backed favourites.
At Devonport he was successful with pups Pure Ferly, Overeem and Tree Bandit with experienced sprinter Sherrin’s Choice saluting in the Balmoral On York Grade 4 to give Watts his sixth winner in succession.
Watts took the record effort in his stride.
“I knew I had a good two meetings but never thought much about it (six consecutive wins) to be honest,” Watts said.
“As a rule I’m just pleased to get one winner let alone six inside a day,” he said.
“I was just pleased to get the wins, especially the first three at Devonport because it was with two first-starters (Overeem and Tree Bandit) and another (Pure Ferly) that was having only his third start,” he said.
Watts has enjoyed his best season as a trainer with over 80 winners in the bank and no doubt more to come.
“This has been my best year by miles,” he said.
“I normally average between 40-50 winners a year but this year has been exceptional because I’ve probably had better quality dogs coming over from interstate.”
“I’m lucky because I have three really good loyal owners from Victoria in Darren McDonald, Paul Westerveld and Wayne Vassallo who keep a constant supply to my kennel,” he said.