Pride On The Line In G1 Vic Peters Classic

TOP Sydney trainer Joe Pride and his son and foreman Brave will experience their first Group 1 greyhound runner on Saturday night when Gus The Jet takes his place in the Vic Peters Classic Final (520m) at Wentworth Park.

The Prides race Gus The Jet in partnership with Hong Kong based jockey Brenton Avdulla, who's chasing back-to-back Vic Peters successes following the win of Rinsed The Lot in 2024.

Pride, who has combined for almost 50 winners with Avdulla when he was based in Australia, said greyhound ownership had been on his bucket list for quite some time before the opportunity to be a part of Gus The Jet became available.

FIELDS AND FORM WENTWORTH PARK SATURDAY NIGHT

"It's something I've always wanted to do so to get one that goes OK has been great," Pride said.

"I've found it really interesting to be involved in."

Gus The Jet is named after Pride's four-legged best mate, family pet Corgi, Gus.

The Michelle Sultana-trained chaser is the least experienced runner in the $75,000 to the winner final, the veteran of just six race starts.

Gus The Jet is a son of Fernando Bale out of Barcia Quality, a daughter of prolific producer All Quality.

The June 2023 whelp booked his place in the final as the fastest third placed qualifier and on Saturday he will start from box six in the final.

"He's going to need to improve his box manners to be a chance in the final," Pride said.

"He's still lightly raced so he's learning all the time but realistically he has the task ahead of him.

"In saying that it's a huge thrill to be in the owners seat rather than being the trainer and Brave and I are really enjoying the experience.

"Hopefully he can surprise us by coming out running on Saturday and then you never know."

Gus The Jet is a $21 chance.

Meanwhile, Gus, of the Corgi variety, also recently had a horse named after him when Pride named a two-year-old colt by Circus Maximus (IRE), Gus The Great.

"When I was searching on Google there was a book called Gus The Great that tells the story of a man with a passion for the circus so it was a no brainer," Pride said.

"Hopefully he can follow in Gus The Jet's footsteps and find himself in a Group 1 in the years ahead."