Britton's High Praise For Leading Derby Hopeful

BOOM WA sprinter West On Sidney is as good as any of the great team to have come before him in the Linda Britton-Chris Halse kennel.

They were the words of Britton about the son of Tommy Shelby and West On Hazel ahead of the heats of the Group 2 WA Derby (520m) at Cannington on Saturday night.

He has drawn perfectly in box two for his heat of the Derby and goes into the race off nine starts for four wins and three placings for stakes of $59,000.

But it is the dog's undoubted speed that makes him so exciting.

TOMMY SHELBY AT STUD

He had run a Cannington track record of 29.29 and trialled at the track in 29.23 prior to running in The Sandgroper.

He finished only seventh to Deadly Avenger in a track record 29.19 that night.

Linda agrees The Sandgroper might have been too early for the dog but not based on his amazing ability.

"He did not draw well for The Sandgroper either," Britton said.

"It may have been a different story if he had drawn close to the rails."

FIELDS AND FORM CANNINGTON SATURDAY NIGHT

Linda rates West On Sidney the equal at this stage of his development to such greats as Reggemite, Quick Jagger and West On Augie all of them superstars for the kennel.

"He stood out from the start," she said. "He's a big dog at 35.7 kilos, big and solid but nicely put together.

"But, like all Tommy Shelby's, he just wants to get to the racetrack. They are all business race dogs."

The two box in his heat of the Derby is perfect for West On Sidney.

He had the rails when running 29.34 there a week ago, scoring by eight lengths as the $1.16 favourite.

"He's got to step a bit better in his races," said Linda as the dog's only fault at this stage.

"But, eventually we will probably step him up in distance."

Five heats of the Derby will be run on Saturday night.

"There is a fair bit of depth in WA breeding," she said. "And it shows in the depth in the heats of the Derby."