Winsome Jet flies out of boxes in fastest Flying Amy Heat

By Josh Spasaro

After Winsome Jet pinged the lids in the second Flying Amy Classic Heat at Q2 Parklands on Thursday night, it was always going to take a game effort for him to be run down.

The two-year-old blue dog went on to salute by a massive 10-and-three-quarter lengths, crossing the line in a heat-best time of 29.36 seconds.

Western Sydney-based trainer Minnie Finn said the way he jumped cleanly from the four lane was a pleasant surprise after his recent efforts at box rise.

“He’s been missing it for a while now. He used to be a good beginner, but last night was the first time he’s come out in a long time,” she said of her Queensland Derby winner currently under the care of Michelle Sultana and Darryl Thomas.

“He went really good. He did what he needed to do – he came out. He’s just got to come out – if he comes out, he’s a very fast dog.

“Hopefully he comes out like that next week.”

Next Thursday night is the Flying Amy Classic Final over 520 metres and worth $225,000.

“In a final they don’t normally run fast times. He’s got to do that again to win the final,” Finn said.

Finn said the Flying Amy Classic Final was always the aim for Winsome Jet and Winsome Rambo, who also qualified for the Group 1 feature for juvenile greyhounds under 30 months of age.

“They’re only young dogs, so I thought I’d send them straight back up as soon as they were ready,” she said.

Also by Tommy Shelby and out of Princess Kiwi, litter brother Winsome Rambo saluted by three lengths, crossing the line in 29.82 seconds in the third Flying Amy Classic Heat.

It was a much-improved performance from his Queensland Derby Heat effort on January 1, finishing sixth in a time of 30.26 seconds.

“Last time he went up there he was very disappointing. I said to Darryl, ‘don’t worry, he just needs a few more looks there because he’s got a lot of ability’,” Finn said.

“This time up he made the Ipswich Cup Final.

“He’s not as strong as Jet, but he’s still a very handy Free For All dog.

“He’s run 29.5 seconds at Wentworth Park. It was good to see him come out last night and get to the line.

“I had cramping problems with him early on.”

Finn said the Tommy Shelby-Princess Kiwi litter had no shortage of speed.

“I’ve still got Winsome Storm down here – he’s stronger than them,” she said.

“A bit slow early, but he’s not a bad dog.

“The whole litter can run. And I’ve got one out of the next litter.”

Finn added she had no hesitation sending Winsome Jet and Winsome Rambo back up to the Sultana and Thomas kennel operation at South Maclean in the Logan region.

This was particularly so after Winsome Jet’s three-and-a-half length victory in the Queensland Derby Final on January 8, when he crossed the line in a scorching 29.32 seconds.

“They do a good job. They feed the same as me and work them the same as me. They do everything the same,” she said.

“They look after their dogs and they’ve got a good place.

“I’ve known Michelle since I was a little girl. I’m very happy to give my dogs to them. I trust them, they do a good job and really look after their dogs.”