Bobby Soars In Tassie Derby Decider

RUSSELL Watts' strong affinity with the Rapidvite Tasmanian Derby (515m) continued at Launceston on Monday night when Bobby The Jett stormed home to score an emphatic win in the time honoured all-male classic.

It was third time lucky for Bobby The Jett in feature races, placed in two previous events, winning both his heat and the final of the time-honoured Derby by running down early leader Aldrich to score by almost four lengths in 29.90.
After drawing box five in the $4,500 to-the-winner Derby, Bobby The Jett started a joint $3.90 second favourite with the Butch Deverell-trained Dooper, with Sebastian Lee the $2.70 favourite from box one.
Aldrich led soon after the start, but Bobby The Jett set out after the leader by sweeping around the field through the first turn, flying past his rivals off the back going on to record his eleventh victory from 26 career starts.
The black chaser made his first win at start three at Hobart in December running a very quick 26.05.
"It was an extremely gutsy win, he's such an honest chaser," Russell praised.
"Bobby The Jett is right up there in any class or grade, I gave him a trial prior to the Derby heats and he went super put it that way.
"The owners (Tyrone Whittington & Greg Sprod) are looking to give him more runs here and then send the dog to Sydney," Watts told.
Russell's winning record in the Tasmanian Derby started in 2000 with Elle's Supremo, followed by Hotshow Jackson in 2001, both held at the famous White City circuit.
15 years later the drought broke for the Moorleah-based trainer with Shiny New (Kinloch Brae x Oh So Sweet) winning the 2016 edition, the first of two Derby victories for NSW-based Whittington and Sprod.
"All my Derby winners were great chasers that went onto fantastic careers. Ability wise the dog is a strong finisher in his races and I do believe he can reach middle distance and that's the next plan to step him up again over the journey," Watts told.
Russell has held a trainers licence for almost 40 years, putting the polish to several classy chasers.
"I've been fortunate over the years to have been involved with some quality greyhounds, Elle's Commando, Onyx Blues, Smart Offer and Smart Aim would be among the best through the kennel and Bobby The Jett has the potential to be right up there."