By Jess Tubbs

Back in 1977, riding shotgun in his dad’s Kingswood on the way to Mudgee greyhounds, Ross Davidson never dreamed he’d be a Group 1 winning owner.

Accepting a job with the National Coursing Association straight out of high school, Davidson worked in racing administration roles for over a decade before moving on to pursue opportunities in hospitality and losing touch with the greyhound world.

Lured back into greyhound ownership some years later by friend and co-owner Jason Lyne, the duo found themselves tasting Group 1 success shortly thereafter in the 2015 Bold Trease with Bourbski Fever.

“I still remember every moment of that night” Davidson recalls. “We thought we would retire happy after that win but in reality, once we had a taste of the excitement, it only made us hungry for more.”

Five years on, Sunset Bourbski – a daughter of Bourbski Fever – is set to chase that elusive second Group 1 title in the prestigious TAB Topgun Stayers.

Davidson bred ‘Sunset’ at his home in the Central Tablelands of New South Wales and whilst undoubtedly the shyest of the three Fernando Bale pups “she always had the biggest motor” and “could spot the others 100 metres in the yard and round them up without a worry.”

Trainers Andrea and Tom Dailly confirmed she is one of the fastest dogs to ever trial at their home track; quite exceptional given the calibre of greyhounds that have passed through their kennel over the years.

Asked how he rates Sunset Bourbski’s chances on Saturday night, Davidson concedes her fate will be fairly well sealed depending on where she lands after they’ve rounded the first bend.

“If she can find herself third or fourth as they come into the back straight she will have every opportunity, but with a few dogs in the race that can get rolling out in front and maintain the pace, she can’t afford to give them too much of a start.”

The Meadows has been a happy hunting ground for her, having won eight of her 11 career wins at the venue – including her 42.44 victory in the Group 3 725m Speed Star back in September.

And whilst the pandemic means the boys won’t be on course to cheer home their girl, the celebrations at the local are likely to continue well into the night if Sunset Boursbki is successful in securing that Group 1 title and the $75,000 first prize.