Cottrell On Verge Of Record Breaking Group 1 Win

FOR an 18-year-old that’s on the verge of being etched into the record books, Kayla Cottrell is exhibiting composure that belies her age.

FOR an 18-year-old that's on the verge of being etched into the record books as Australia's youngest Group 1-winning greyhound trainer, Kayla Cottrell is exhibiting composure that belies her age.

On Saturday night at The Meadows, Cottrell, just six months into her rapidly rising training career, rugs up race favourite Fernando Cazz in the Group 1 Rookie Rebel (600m).

Winner at nine of her 27 appearances, Fernando Cazz, a daughter of champion greyhound Fernando Bale, thunders into Saturday night's Group 1 invitation in sublime form, winning five of her past seven starts.

But if you think for a moment the enormity of Saturday night's occasion might be getting the better of Cottrell you can think again.

"Yes it's a big occasion but I'm just treating it like any other week if you don't that's when things can go wrong," Cottell said.

"The main thing has been ensuring Fernando Cazz's preparation has been spot on.

“It's been a few weeks since her last race start but her trials have been great and she's ready to go for Saturday.

"She's been kept a bit on the fresh side because she'll need to begin to give herself a chance. But whatever happens, she'll be doing her best.

“She's my favourite – she's got a personality like no other."

Cottrell's sharp rise to prominence as a trainer is of no surprise to those that know her.

From an early age, the budding young conditioner has demonstrated an unbridled passion for the sport, watching on as parents Dave Knocker and Janet Cottrell enjoyed sustained success, creating the pathway for her seamless entry into training.

"I don't look at it as a job, it's more a lifestyle and I absolutely love it," Cottrell said.

"My grandparents and parents have taught me the right way to go about things and that the best results come from hard work.

"If you had asked me a few years ago I wouldn't have dreamed to have started off so well but I've been lucky enough to get some good dogs which makes things so much easier. Hopefully, that continues Saturday."

Since taking up the collar and lead last August, Cottrell has rugged up 27 runners for a remarkable 19 winners and five placegetters at the sensational winning strike-rate of 70 per cent.

But while she's hit the ground running and enjoyed some fantastic early success, the Pearcedale-based teenager is only too aware that things can change quickly.

"I've been lucky enough to have a great start but I know that won't last forever either," Cottrell said.

"You'd love it if it did but there's plenty of ups and downs and good times and bad. And when things turn it makes you work even harder."

In recent months Victorian greyhound racing has been experiencing a youthful transformation with a new generation of trainers enjoying considerable success.

"It would be a dream come true to win on Saturday night but I'm not thinking too far ahead – whatever happens, it will be back to work on Sunday," she said.

 

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