Accidental trainer is rapt to be contesting first feature

By Pat McLeod

Accidental greyhound trainer Will Warner’s love affair with the industry is about to step up a notch as he contests Monday’s Bundaberg Young Guns Final.

The 37-year-old Warner was shoe-horned into training through a series of issues during Covid and has two runners – Tokyo’s Gem (box three) and Wacky Wally (box eight) – in the Final.

“This is my first feature and I am absolutely stoked,” Warner said.

“I am loving being involved in all aspects of greyhound racing. It has been a very steep learning curve, but I am living the dream.

“When I started training about two years ago, I had no idea. But, I am learning every day. It’s just a great industry to be part of.”

Pre-Covid, Warner was working in pub and club management around Newcastle.

He had no background in greyhound racing, but became involved as an owner with a small team of dogs with a trainer in Western Australia and another, Troy Donaldson, in NSW.

Then a triple whammy.

1. Covid struck.

2. The WA trainer retired.

3. Troy Donaldson tragically passed away aged just 38.

“I had just sold my house at Newcastle and was planning to come north to Queensland, but then the lock downs came into force and I ended up sleeping on my mother’s couch for six months in Newcastle,” Warner recalls.

“I was lucky to be able to place the dogs at my father’s place at Gympie.”

Warner’s father Bill Wormer is a former thoroughbred trainer and was able to house the dogs on his five acres at Gympie.

Eventually Warner was able to move north and has settled on another five-acre block adjoining his father’s property.

“I was pretty well sick of the pubs and clubs and decided to give training a go,” Warner explains.

“A couple of the dogs had been doing nothing for up to 12 months by the time I got there and started training. That was mid-2022 and from there I raced mainly at Capalaba, enjoyed it and did OK.

“Then I had a full year, 2023, of training under my belt.

“I did quite well out of the sale of my house and have some investments, so I am happy to just plod along. I am loving it.”

Of his two chances on Monday, Warner leans towards Wacky Wally.

“The heat was his first look out of the Bundaberg 500 metres boxes and I have no doubt he will improve,” he said.

“If he is able to cross them from the eight, he is a good chance and a very good chance of a top three finish.

“Tokyo’s Gem had never been over the 500 metres before and I think the last 100 metres might find her out.

“But, she is a big chance of leading, and if she does, well you never know what might happen behind.”