Cottrell’s double delight


Kayla Cottrell’s stunning start to her training career continued at Sandown Park on Thursday with the 18-year-old claiming both of the night’s feature races.

Fernando Bluey took out the Australian Sprint (515m) in a race record 29.138 and was followed two races later by littermate Fernando Cazz’s victory in the Maidment Memorial (595m) in 33.839, also a race record. Both races carried a $15,000 first prize and Listed status, marking Cottrell’s first feature race wins.

“Very happy,” said Cottrell after completing the feature double.

“It’s a pleasure to train two dogs like them, they make it very easy.”

Both greyhounds took full advantage of box 1 – Fernando Bluey now undefeated in six starts in the red vest while Fernando Cazz enjoyed her first inside draw of her career.

“Fernando Bluey has got speed and that’s what you want in a dog – speed. When you’re rolling out in front it’s hard to run them down.

“And Cazz – a few more red boxes would be nice!”

Cottrell won with her first starter in August 2020 and has now won 19 of 27 races for an other-worldly strike rate of 70.4%. Amazingly, their form has improved as the greyhounds have moved up the grades – Fernando Bluey and Fernando Cazz provided her first city double at the Meadows on December 16th and she’s won 11 from 14 with three minor placings since.

“Hopefully we can keep going. I just love working them, they’re just beautiful dogs and it makes you want to get up in the morning.”

Cottrell will now set her sights on the upcoming Australian Cup Carnival, kicking off with the three invitational group 1 races on Saturday 13th February.

Click here for full results and replays from Thursday night’s meeting.

Kayla Cottrell speaks after her feature race double
Fernando Bluey (1) sets a new race record in winning the Listed Australian Sprint
Fernando Cazz (1) wins the Listed Maidment Memorial in race record time
Mick Floyd
About Mick Floyd - Mick is the Racing and Media Manager at Sandown Park and has 15 years of experience in the sport. He has a finely tuned talent for finding three legs of a quaddie. You can follow his ramblings on Twitter - @mickfloyd
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