"Russ" was the kennel name of Peter Barnes' best greyhound My Mate Fox so when a red fawn dog out of his good bitch Tornado Time broke in brilliantly he was registered as Young Russ.
But after winning his first race at Goulburn last October, Young Russ broke down and Barnes' hopes of having a dog to compare with My Mate Fox were dashed.
My Mate Fox beat Embye in a semi-final of the 2018 Wentworth Park Magic Maiden and later that year won the Richmond Riches, leaving greyhounds like Blue Moon Rising, Veloce Nero and Two Times Twice in his wake.
My Mate Fox went on to earn over $88,000 through winning 17 races but while Barnes concedes Young Russ will not reach the heights of his "namesake" he was thrilled and a little surprised to see the dog win on debut at Wentworth Park on Friday night.
The Portland trainer said: "Young Russ is not going to be anywhere near as good as before he broke down but he is handy.
"I trialled him at Wentworth Park last week and was disappointed with his first split of 5.65 and his overall 520m time of 30.31.
"Maybe I was being a bit hard on him though because it was pouring rain and we trialled after the last race.
"When he led all the way on Friday his first section was a lot better, 5.48, and he won in 30.28.
"Young Russ is out of my bitch Tornado Time, who won 21 races when trained by myself and Michelle Sultana.
"I have cut back my team because since the closure of Bathurst, the nearest track to my kennels at Portland is Richmond, which is an hour and 40 minutes away, with Wentworth Park the next closest.''
Rebel Ethics timed his fourth birthday perfectly, becoming eligible for Masters races last Friday and winning that night in that class for trainer Jake White.
On Friday Rebel Ethics scored his fifth Wentworth Park win when he came from third at the pen and second on the back straight to win easily, scampering over the 520m in a slick 29.85.
After the race White endorsed the Masters racing concept, saying: "In this type of race a dog like Rebel Ethics can settle early in second or third spot, but when up against younger dogs he has to come from no better than fourth or fifth early.''
Nangar Sniper won at his Wentworth Park debut in December but after six months on the sidelines indicated he has returned better than ever with an impressive solo trial at headquarters on Friday.
The Dennie Barnes-trained dog zipped over the 520m journey in a smart 29.83, running home in 11.76.
In his December maiden win Nangar Sniper came from fifth early to lead on the back straight, defeating Candice Keeping in 30.29.
Candice Keeping has emphasised the quality of that win by subsequently winning at Wentworth Park and Sandown.
