He may be a real homebody but Kim Johnstone is sure Wild">Wild Soul is well-suited to a crack at this year’s Group 1 AGRA National Sprint Championship.
The experienced sprinter will represent South Australia at the Nationals in WA after winning last week’s state final.
Johnstone is currently organising to fly her charge over for trials at the Cannington track this weekend, before heading west again for the final on Saturday. August 23.
Wild Soul has never run competitively outside his home state before but his trainer, who is based in the suburb of Two Wells about 40km north of Adelaide, thinks he has a chance in the final.
“It’s the perfect track for him,” she said. “It will suit him to the ground.
“He’s usually a strong 600m runner and the big track there will suit him.
“I live half-an-hour away from (Angle Park) and that’s basically the furthest he has travelled before.
“In one sense I’m petrified about it all but I’m excited as well.”
Wild Soul earned his place at the Nationals in thrilling fashion, holding off a determined challenge from Sporting Tears to win the 515m final in a decent 29.91.
He will now join the likes of Queensland champion Flash Reality, Victorian Crackerjack Dak and NSW winner Chica Destacada in the $75,000-to-the-winner final.
Johnstone said she could barely keeping her emotions in check watching her charge, who has 20 wins from 48 outings, capture the state final.
“I was so excited,” the 37-year-old said.
“I was jumping up and down so hard, I thought I’d broken (fellow trainer’s) Robyn Mackellar’s foot when I landed on her.
“The owner has showed so much faith in him. I think a few people weren’t sure about (Wild Soul) when he was younger, but his owner was saying, ‘there’s something about him’.
“He’s matured into a lovely dog. He’s done this all and I am so proud of him.”
Johnstone is now awaiting the box draw, which will be confirmed after the Tasmanian final is on Monday and the WA decider this Saturday.
“Obviously he needs the inside,” she said. “He doesn’t have the early pace like Flash Reality or Chica Destacada.
“He doesn’t run Group times so he needs that inside draw to compete.”
Cannington will also host the 715m AGRA National Distance Championship on the same night.
The field for that race will also be completed after the Tasmanian and WA finals.
