Whittaker">Whittaker's continuing success is reviving happy memories for co-trainers/owners Bruce and Julie Fletcher - but he is busy making some new ones too.
The sprinter (pictured), who looks to have a sparkling future, won for the fourth time in five starts at Dapto on Friday night.
Whittaker is named after Vince Whittaker, who introduced the Fletchers to each other as teenagers.
Fast forward more than half-a-century and he is proving a star for the Menangle Park couple.
"He looked like being all right as a pup so we wanted to give him a name to remember," Bruce said. "Julie said, 'What about Whittaker'.
"It makes it nice to see him doing well with a name like that."
Whittaker's latest win came in the South Coast Challenge Sprint Event Series Final (520m).
Starting in box seven, he cruised home by more than six lengths in a zippy 29.71.
The eye-catching novice has made an impressive start to his racing career and was fancied for the recent group 3 Dapto Maiden after impressing in the heats.
He was caught in the pack at the first corner and eventually finished fourth, but put in a decent run impressive winner and fellow handy newcomer Winsome Prince.
Fletcher said he was delighted with Whittaker's latest performance, which further underlined his greyhound's promise.
"That was the best I've seen him race," he said.
"I was elated with his start. That was the best he has jumped in his life.
"He came out of the boxes, tried to lead and did it all the way round."
Fletcher said the greyhound would stay in work, with a possible trip to the city next up.
A crack at Group 3 Nowra Puppy Classic, which starts with heats on September 29, is also possible.
Fletcher is no stranger to Group-winning greyhounds but the 68-year-old said he was getting excited about Whittaker's future prospects.
"We've had a lot of good dogs but the thrill never goes way," Fletcher said.
"He'll be racing again over the next week or so as we want to keep him racing.
"He'll probably go to Bulli or Wentworth Park next as there is some good races coming up."
