Futurity ‘school’ is in for Cooke’s young speedster

By Pat McLeod

Well-bred young bitch Wildash Jane ‘heads back to school’ for Thursday night’s heats of the lucrative Ipswich Futurity on the Q1 Lakeside circuit.

The Aussie Infrared and Brockie Magic speedster has already shown her veteran trainer Bob Cooke that she is a quick learner.

After just nine starts – for four wins and four placings – Wildash Jane has certainly climbed a steep learning curve.

“She is starting to do everything right,” says Cooke, who is obviously impressed with the youngster.

“Early in her racing she was bombing the start when she was getting too excited.

“Now she is starting to learn more about being a race dog. That just comes down to maturity and time and nothing is more crucial than getting that start right.”

Wildash Jane will exit box four in the third of five Futurity heats. There are also five Derby heats. All 10 races at The Q are for dogs and bitches aged less than 30 months.

Next week’s two Finals are each worth a total of $45,000.

The Northern NSW-based Cooke says although the box draw isn’t perfect, it also isn’t a major concern.

“The draw shouldn't be a problem because she has won three times from four starts out of box five,” he explains.

“That's not necessarily because she prefers a draw in the middle, but because she has never drawn box one or two in any of her starts so far.

“When you watch her from behind, she definitely wants to come across to the rail, so an inside box should be ideal.

“Her speed has gotten her to the right spot in most of her races so far. She musters very quickly when she jumps."

Cooke says she just wants to get to the fence. 

"From what I have seen the whole litter is the same," he said. 

“What I like about this dog is that she has got speed at the start, but she also has strength to the line and that is something that you really want. She certainly isn't weak.

“I was talking to (owner and breeder) Pat Gainey recently and said that if she was able to run in a straight line to the corner, she could possibly knock the record off.

“The way she comes across to the rail from the middle boxes she gives away about a length by the time she gets to the corner.

“Hopefully she can get through to the Final and is able to draw an inside box.”

Wildash Jane confirmed her ability last Saturday night at track and distance when she won in 25.01 seconds, just a smidgeon outside the 24.99 track record.

That mark was set by Jeff Crawford’s Validate, who is one of seven from Crawford’s in-form kennel contesting Thursday night’s heats.

Cooke has won an Ipswich Gold Cup (Cash In Motion - 2015), but is yet to claim an Ipswich Futurity or Derby.

However, this year’s relocation of South East Queensland racing to The Q, and the decision to stage these age-restricted races over the 457 metre journey on the Q1’s one-turn circuit, have improved his chances of success.

“To win any of these races of this quality is very hard at any time,” he says.

“But, I really like one-turn tracks compared to the two-turn, especially over distances like this one.

“The track gives dogs more of a chance to sort themselves out. You don't get anywhere near as much interference on a one-turn track.

“It means, if your dog is good enough, you have every chance.

“But, as we all know, all you can do is put them in the box and see what happens.

“As far as our race on Thursday night, I believe the dog out of the one box, Rockabye Baby (trained by Ron Brook), has some good sectional times, so is one of the main threats.

“And, I would like to be first or second to the corner.

“I believe that if Wildash Jane is in second place there, she will go to the line stronger than whatever is in front of her.”