Wilson and Miss Bamsy seeking first group win in Birthday Cup
JACKIE Wilson says she is experiencing plenty of nerves ahead of Friday night's Group 3 Mandurah Mail Birthday Cup (405m) where she will line up with her first group finalist, Miss Bamsy.
Miss Bamsy (Fabregas x Miss Chicki Nov '14) qualified for the feature with a handy 22.59 win in her heat last week – just half a length off the fastest heat winner Marydoll (Elite State x Flying Sienna Jun '14).
Wilson said she was expecting a good show from her 33-kilogram bitch in the qualifier, but concedes it is still sinking in that she has actually made one of the biggest races on the WA racing calendar.
“Everyone that I have spoken to this week has boosted my confidence, but it is a very good field and I am a bit nervous,” Wilson told Australian Racing Greyhound.
“I thought she'd go well in her heat, but she did get a bit lucky because the two [Mamma Monelli] wanted to get off the track so she got a clear run through.
“But you can't fault her. She is very consistent week to week timewise – even her splits are very similar – so it is just going to pan out with what the other dogs drawn around her do.”
Miss Bamsy has stamped herself as a track specialist at Mandurah, winning 14 of her 20 starts over the 405m distance for Wilson and her owners.
All up she has won 15 of her 38 starts and has earned $28,370 throughout her career – not bad for a $2,000 purchase bought with just one win beside her name.
“When Gary Nelson said he was buying her I didn't really know what to think – she had 18 starts for one win and a couple of placings in NSW and South Australia.
“Gary is a very good judge, but she has definitely exceeded our expectations. I don't think I am doing anything special with her – I only have a small kennel so maybe she likes the more hands on approach.”
Miss Bamsy will start from the coveted rails alley on Friday night and although Wilson said she would have preferred a middle draw; she still rates her charge a big shot of capturing the $25,000 to the winner prize.
However, it will be no easy task up against a sensational field including Perth Cup winner Equanimity (Barcia Bale x She's Historic Mar '15), Pepper Fire (Spiral Nikita x West On Bluebird Jul '14) and Desert Rampage (Barcia Bale x Spark Again Feb '15).
“She has to do everything right, but if she jumps well she has a good chance.
“There's a bit of speed out wide – you'll have Desert Rampage (box seven) and Demon Bale (box eight) both wanting to get across.
“Hopefully if they get kept out wide she may be able to stay out of trouble and find the lead. After 20m I think everyone will know the winner.
“It's a buzz just to be in there – I don't think I could describe what it would mean to actually win but it would be a massive thrill.”
The Group 3 Mandurah Mail Birthday Cup is race six at Mandurah this Friday night and is scheduled to jump at 11.30pm AEDT.