Hard work pays off for New Sensations Kayla Cottrell and Devine Empress

Victorian trainer with 2022 winner, . (Photo: Josh Spasaro)

All the hard work and long drives were worth it for Kayla Cottrell after Devine Empress saluted in the $54,000 New Sensation (520m) at Wentworth Park on Saturday night.

Cottrell's two-year-old took out the race in an impressive time of 29.70 seconds, and was 2.25 lengths ahead of for .

She showed good nous for such a young runner to cut back inside Yuko Girl – after trying to overtake her on the outside – and pass her just before the second and final turn.

It meant the young gun 19-year-old Victorian trainer could instantly embark on her long trip back home with a big smile.

“I left this morning at 6am. It was a 10-hour drive and straight back home now,” she told australianracinggreyhound.com after the win on Saturday night.

“I'm very happy. Happy to see improvement from last week (running 29.94 second in her semi-final).

“She found a bit of trouble last week, and tonight she ran well on her terms.

“She got held up for a little bit, but she was super.”

Cottrell has always held a high opinion regarding Devine Empress' natural talent.

“She's a very good bitch and I've always rated her highly since we broke her in,” she said.

“She was very gutsy. One step at a time (regarding what she'll be aimed at next). She'll tell us how she's going.”

Cottrell became the youngest Victorian greyhound trainer to snare a 1 title following Fernando Cazz's victory in the Rookie Rebel (600m) at The Meadows on February 13 last year.

She comes from an impressive sporting background.

Grandfather Len was a ruckman at Carlton in the 1950s, and cousin Matthew is on the Blues' playing roster. He kicked the winning goal against Sydney last year and rolled out a memorable celebration.

After working for two years as a stablehand for leading thoroughbred trainer, Mick Price, last year Cottrell decided it was time to put all her energy into the sport she grew up with – greyhound racing.

With the support of her parents, and , as well as the backing of veteran breeder Alan Hunter, she quickly established a super-competitive team of dogs.

That was why winning the New Sensation title with Devine Empress was a realistic goal, with her supportive parents streaming the race from south of the border.

“Yeah (I thought I could win this race). When you put in the hard yards the rewards come,” Cottrell said.

“My mother and father would have watched her from home.”

2022 New Sensation (Wentworth Park, 720m) – Devine Empress


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