Tommy's Stud Take Off Just Fine By Wilson

JACKIE Wilson and Gary Nelson have jumped on the Tommy Shelby bandwagon and they have no intention of jumping off anytime soon.

And with the champion million dollar winning sprinter enjoying a whirlwind start to his stud career, why would they?

On Saturday night at Cannington, the training duo will line-up Sneaky Peaky in the Group 2 Britton's Formal Wear WA Derby Final (520m).

Giving away a hefty chunk of age to each of his rivals in the $40,000-to-the-winner showpiece, Sneaky Peaky, just 20 months of age, is the first of the Tommy Shelby offspring to tackle a group race finale.

FIELDS AND FORM CANNINGTON SATURDAY NIGHT

"It's very exciting but he's got a big job ahead," Wilson, who trains with partner Gary Nelson, said.

Gr2 Britton's Formal Wear WA Derby final @greyhounds_wa @TAB_touch @TABradio @TheDogsWA pic.twitter.com/OmvSjl5nUX

— Peter O'Neill (@PeterON68) May 13, 2023

"To make a WA Derby Final after just four starts and at 20 months of age is a big achievement already. Box eight doesn't make the job any easier but if he stays out wide and things go his way he's a chance.

"Anything from here is a bonus."

Derby hopeful Sneaky Peaky is one of three greyhounds Wilson has from the hugely exciting Tommy Shelby x Joker Poker litter where by all reports the best is yet to come.

The opening race on Saturday night sees Steve Withers unearth another from the litter in first starter I'm A Blinder.

"As well as Sneaky (Peaky) we've got Wolf Man and Distribution and between them they've already won six of their 13 races and almost $30,000 in prizemoney," Wilson added.

TOMMY SHELBY AT STUD

"We have a really good relationship with Steve and Kira (Withers) and are really glad they gave us the opportunity to take these three on.

The second heat of the Britton's Formal Wear WA Derby goes to CANYA CRACKEN for trainer Paul Stuart. pic.twitter.com/Sjy5Z5bMve

— Greyhounds WA (@greyhounds_wa) May 13, 2023

"And with more coming I think I worked out that in a few months time the majority of our 16 kennels will be Tommy's which is fine by me!

"If Tommy (Shelby) is going well then we are going well and he's started off super."

Quickly closing in on 50 race wins at a strike-rate of almost 20 per cent, Tommy Shelby's stud stocks are rising, and rising quickly.

And if Sneaky Peaky lands Saturday night's Derby it will deliver Wilson and Nelson their biggest win in the sport.

"We won a group 3 with Miss Bamsy back in 2018 so a group 2 Derby would be our biggest," Wilson added.

"With age and more experience it's exciting to think where these three might get to. For a small two-person operation like ours – to jag a few nice ones like this – is great.

"I won't be there on Saturday night because I'm visiting a friend in Sydney but I'll be glued to a TV cheering him on.

"Kira said to me jokingly the other day there's no pressure because Tommy won two group 1s out of box eight.

"If he could happen to do it at just his fifth start it'd be amazing."

Leading the charge for Saturday night's WA Derby is The Sandgroper winner Crumble Monelli and his litter-brother Custard Monelli, third in the Group 1 Golden Easter Egg.