Only Want Mum may be among the outsiders in Saturday night’s Group 1 Ladbrokes Vic Peters Classic, but she will unquestionably be the sentimental favourite for the feature event at Wentworth Park.
One of two finalists for hotel manager and hobby trainer Daniel Flanagan, Only Want Mum is named in honour of four-year-old Ruby MacPherson, who lost a battle with cancer 18 months ago.
“Ruby's mother Renea MacPherson worked for me at the Heddon Greta Hotel and when her little girl was sick, she always said to her nurses and doctors ‘I only want mum’,” Flanagan said.
“At little Ruby's funeral I promised Renea that when I next got hold of a decent greyhound I would call it Only Want Mum.
“So for her to make a Group 1 classic after just six races is fantastic as she is by far the least experienced finalist.
Only Want Mum has won two from six races and qualified after finishing third to Shallay Pallay in her semi final. She will jump from box five in Saturday night’s final.
“Only Want Mum is not badly drawn in box five because I think she could get a clear run between the dogs in four and six and she is very strong at the finish,” Flanagan said.
“The favourites won't want to make any mistakes up front.
“Only Want Mum has a better chance than my other finalist Surfing Dyno, who has drawn poorly in box eight.”
