Grand Prix runner no ‘Bad Boy’ off the track

By Josh Spasaro

Bad Boy Wilson knows how to find another gear inside the final 50 metres as a fast-developing straight chaser, but away from the track he’s the polar opposite of his name.

The Aston Rupee and Keiki two-year-old will start from box five as one of the fancied dogs in the Capalaba Grand Prix Final over 366 metres on Sunday.

He produced a sizzling final 50 metres to win his heat in a time of 19.65 seconds for Mansfield conditioner Dyllan Heddles last Sunday.

However, the youngster with 17 wins – 15 as a straight performer – from 37 starts would not hurt a fly away from the track.

“He’s got lots of good traits. I’ve got two from the same litter – Bad Boy Elvis and Bad Boy Wilson,” Heddles said.

“He’s a calm dog – he’s nice and relaxed. They all comment on him and he’s 35-36kg. He’s a beautiful blue dog, calm and everyone loves him.

“With age, he’s matured and he’s really focused on the task. I can’t fault him. Up the straight he’s proven. And, his brother is a great sprinter.”

Bad Boy Wilson’s brother Bad Boy Elvis has seven wins from 40 starts and Heddles said he was on the opposite side of the personality scale.

“He’s a bit excitable and carries on a bit. There’s a mixture there,” he said.

“But, both of them have gone well for me and they’ve definitely got a lot of qualities that I like about them. I think everyone in the litter has won, except maybe one out of 10 or so.”

Bad Boy Wilson has $66,130 in prizemoney to his name thus far and Heddles is confident he can match it with the likes of Tom Tzouvelis’ star chasers Tagovailoa and Daysea’s Rory on Sunday.

The fastest heat runner Calico Bluff – who crossed the line in 19.49 seconds for Jayson Valentine – also should be respected in a quality field.

“Always confident. He’s a class dog. He’s won (15) now up the straight,” Heddles said of his runner.

“You can never be overly confident, but he’s got the ability to win, as he has before. He’s a very strong dog. I think he’s got a good racing pattern. He stays out of trouble – I think that’s his key. His runs home are impressive and he’s getting smarter.

“As he’s got older, he’s been avoiding trouble. His past couple have been good.”

Despite his dog’s impressive finishing ability, Heddles said winning the first 100 metres would be crucial in Sunday’s event.

“You’ve got class dogs like Daysea’s Rory, who’s been on top of his game,” Heddles said.

“He’s contested some of the bigger races. And, then me, and Jayson Valentine’s dog, who’s only had a couple of starts up there (four starts for four wins).

“He’s been on the improve each start. He’s a young dog coming through. Jayson’s dog is very good. So, it’s going to be interesting. I just think it’s whoever is going to get a clear run at the end, especially the last 100 metres.

“That’ll be the key. I don’t think there’s much between a few of them. Even Kyoto on the outside, she can come out well.

“That first 50-100 metres out of the boxes, if they’re untouched, it’ll spread them out a bit. I’m just hoping we can get out and get on the bunny and if he’s in front I don’t think anything can catch him.”

Bad Boy Wilson has convincingly saluted in three of his past four starts, with those three wins all coming up the Capalaba straight.

He exhibited a sought-after turn of foot inside the final 50 metres in each of those victories.

“In that last 50 metres he just explodes to the line and he comes away from them,” Heddles said.

“That’ll be the key on Sunday, just getting a clear run. Obviously, there are a lot of class dogs in the race. But, if he’s close enough, I’m hoping he’ll be too strong.”

The Capalaba Grand Prix Final has a total of $11,800 up for grabs and Heddles said this kind of stakes money was why the field contained so much elite talent.

“There’s good money on offer there too, which has been helpful for us and everyone who has been racing there of late,” he said.

“It’s attracting good dogs, such as Daysea’s Rory (who won a Brisbane Cup heat on Thursday night).

“That shows Capalaba has got the class there now and the money to attract the better dogs.

“You look across the fields of late, any meeting (across Queensland) – on the one or two-turn – it’s very competitive.

“That’s good for everyone. Everyone is going to get a chance at some stage.”

Bad Boy Wilson finished runner-up and one-and-a-half lengths behind Tzouvelis’ chaser Simply Express in the $112,525 Capalaba Cup Final, also over 366 metres, on October 6 last year.

Heddles – a fitter and turner by trader – would love another crack with his talented straight runner this year.

“I’m hoping we’ve got a big year ahead on the straight,” he said.

“We’re top grade now with Wilson. So, we’ve just got the pick the races we can get.

“Running second in the Cup last year, we were pretty close.

“I was pretty confident, too. The dog was going really well, and I would like another go this year if all goes well.

“We’re going to have opportunities at Capalaba and the Q Straight.

“So, there’s going to be some good variety for me having a good straight dog, to be able to mix them up and pick the races.”