Sharron and Ray Webster have enjoyed remarkable success since taking up greyhound training as a hobby 18 years ago but their trio of wins at Dapto on Thursday was their first winning treble.
What made their Dapto triumph especially significant was that their winners, Lagoon Scarlett, Lagoon Prissy and Cracka Rax, are siblings from a litter produced by the Websters' champion race and brood bitch Lagoon Lowanna.
Sadly Lagoon Lowanna, who according to Sharron, was "like one of the family'' passed away early this year.
After winning the 2013 Ladies Bracelet at Wentworth Park, Lagoon Lowanna became the mother of the Mark Gatt-trained Ritza Lenny, winner of 19 races, and the Websters' own Lagoon Jazzy, who went within a few centimetres of snatching NSW's biggest race, the Ladbrokes Golden Easter Egg, in April, when sent out a $31 chance.
While the Websters have a good opinion of their Dapto winners, their best greyhound, Lagoon Rhett, is a fortnight away from resuming his career.
"He got hurt a month ago but is fine again now,'' Ray Webster said.
"Not only is Lagoon Rhett the best greyhound currently in our kennels, but he is the fastest we have ever had.
"He once trialled a blistering 29.67sec in a solo hit-out at Wentworth Park but while his form on one turn tracks remains outstanding, he is yet to prove himself on a tighter track like Wenty when opposed to a full field.''
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Newcastle trainer Ron Bell also achieved a rare feat in the past week, landing a winning double with Umatilla and Becks at LADBROKES GARDENS on September 2 before winning again with the same greyhounds at Maitland five days later.
Umatilla won a 565m heat at Maitland in 32.31 while Becks stopped the clock at 32.68 in a similar race and now they will clash in the final at the Hunter Valley circuit this Thursday.
Their Gardens wins were especially slick, with Becks covering the 515m in 29.87 and Umatilla clocking 29.97.
"After their Maitland races on Thursday I plan to bring them to Wentworth Park, probably for a Wednesday night meeting,'' Bell said.
"Becks has not raced there but owner Steve Donoghue is very keen to see his greyhound in action race at headquarters.
"Umatilla made his race debut in a heat of the Group 3 Magic Maiden at WP on March 29 but was galloped on from behind during the race and finished sixth.
"Unfortunately the back toe of the foot which was galloped on became infected and we had to have it amputated.
"It's a tribute to the dog's tenacity that he has come back to the track and to be winning races, although he is probably never going to be as good as he was before losing the toe.''
