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Bessy Boo is in line to land the biggest success of his glittering career, with the veteran greyhound set to take part in this weekend’s heats of the Ladbrokes Golden Easter Egg at Wentworth Park.
Despite turning four years of age a day before the heats, Bessy Boo (pictured) is arguably shaping as NSW’s best hope to win the Group 1 series and will jump from box six in the fourth heat of the night.
He has had a remarkable start to the year, scoring his latest win at Wentworth Park last Wednesday night, which was the 35th of his career and 25th at Wentworth Park.
Bessy Boo’s trainer, Christine Proctor, said she was amazed at how well Bessy Boo is racing at present.
“He’s unbelievable,” she said.
“He’s still the same greyhound he’s always been. You go to the kennels and he is always jumping around wanting to race.
“I’m certainly not looking forward to the day he retires. He’s irreplaceable.”
If Bessy Boo can win the Golden Easter Egg it will be his second Group 1 and confirm him as one of the greats of the sport. His career highlight to date was a win in the 2014 Group 1 Peter Mosman Classic – a first Group 1 title for racing stalwart Proctor and her husband Alan in about 40 years of training.
“I think he’s a good hope (in the Golden Easter Egg),” Proctor, who works out of Londonderry in western Sydney, said.
“It will be tough, but the track is running a little slow at the moment, which should help him.
“He ran the best of the night time at Wentworth Park last Wednesday and a couple of weeks ago as well."
Bessy Boo has opened up at $8.50 with Sportsbet in his heat and will go up against the Anthony Azzopardi-trained Zambora Brockie (box 3) and Shared Equity who are both equal favourites for the race at $2.25.
Zambora Brockie, who took out the 2015 Vic Peters Classic, has opened up as the $7 favourite with Sportsbet to take out the Golden Easter Egg.
Win or lose during the three week series, Proctor added that Bessy Boo may continue racing after the Golden Easter Egg.
“His health will always guide us, but his owners get such a thrill from watching him and if he’s racing well, I see no reason to retire him just yet,” she said.
“He is such a beautiful greyhound – I love him.”
For Wentworth Park Saturday fields, form and expert picks, click here.
For Sportsbet's all-in market for the Golden Easter Egg, click here.
