New Chapter For Bessy Boo

Distinguished sprinter Bessy Boo starts the latest chapter of his illustrious career at Nowra on Tuesday.

This year’s Group 1 Peter Mosman Classic winner (pictured) jumps from box five in the Bechini and Associates Stakes (630m) with a possible future as a stayer beckoning.

Co-trainer Alan Proctor is giving the greyhound, who has largely raced over the 520m in his career, a stint at the longer distance.

Proctor admitted wife and co-trainer Christine has some misgivings about the step up but he thinks Bessy Boo has the makings of a strong stayer.

“It’s been on my mind a little while,” he said. “He cannot match it with the likes Chica Destacada in those Free-For-Alls over 500.

“Christine didn’t want me to do this but I thought we will have a look and see how he goes.

“He comes home at Wentworth Park in 11.05 which is flying and he has gone 42.42 over 720m at Wentworth Park.

“We’ll give him a go and see how he looks.”

This will be a first outing over more than 520m since May for the sprinter, who has enjoyed a superb year.

Bessy Boo has racked up 11 wins, including securing a first Group 1 for the Proctors with his Peter Mosman victory in June.

He has a handful of wins over 618m at Richmond and a victory over 720m at Wentworth Park to his name.

Among the opposition will be kennelmate Joane (box one), a recent placegetter in the Schweppes Summer Cup who has been in handy form recently.

Bessy Boo has 57 starts to his name but Alan Proctor believes there is more to come in 2015.

“I think he's got plenty of racing left in him,” Proctor said. “You cannot hold him back.

“It’s just a trial at the moment to see how he handles it. If he doesn’t handle it then we will give him a spell and freshen him up.

“I expect him to win here but it will be a good test.”

This is race five of 20 on the calendar at Nowra, with some other good racing in prospect.

Oceania, who has impressed so far at country tracks in his brief career, is one to watch in race seven.

Others to watch at Nowra include recent Stilton Lucky (race six) and impressive newcomer Fancy Fran in race ten.

For Nowra fields, form and expert picks, click here.