Steve Wilde’s success in thoroughbred racing is translating to the greyhound code in a big way, with the Sydney-based owner taking aim at Group 1 glory in tonight’s TAB Hume Cup (600m) at The Meadows.
Wilde owns impressive all-the-way heat winner Bounce Back, which is trained by David Geall, the hottest trainer in the land, and sits on the third line on TAB’s Cup market at $6 from Box 7.
Interestingly, Wilde and Geall have yet to meet in person due to COVID.
“It’s not a great draw but if he can ping the lids like he did in his heat I think he’s a chance,” said Wilde.
While Wilde is a relative newcomer to greyhound racing, he’s already come close to celebrating G1 success, with talented female Wild Flyer runner-up in last year’s National Futurity at Wentworth Park and also a finalist in the G2 Richmond Oaks.
Wild Flyer also had a stint in Victoria with David Geall and Wilde is about to have his first foray into greyhound breeding with the daughter of Fabregas, which won 14 of her 36 starts.
“I’ve bred racehorses and now I’m in the process of breeding greyhounds,” Wilde said.
“Wild Flyer has come on season and I’ve got straws to Barcia Bale and Kinloch Brae. I’ll probably go with Barcia Bale and use Kinloch Brae next time.
“Wild Flyer was very unlucky when she ran second in the Futurity. She got knocked over and made up panels to just get beaten. She also won a heat of the Richmond Oaks and went quicker than the boys went in the Derby heats the same night.
WATCH: Bounce Back (5) produced a faultless front-running exhibition in his Hume Cup heat (600m), leading all the way in 34.46sec.
“She went down to Melbourne to Dave Geall but didn’t settle in.”
Wilde has certainly found himself in the right kennel, with Geall continuing his sensational run on Saturday night when Koblenz won the G2 Cranbourne Cup, and Steve has taken a golden opportunity to jump on the ‘G-train!’
“David has been good enough to sell me a female pup out of Up Hill Jill’s third litter, which is to Kinloch Brae,” Wilde explained.
“She’s only four weeks old. It’ll be exciting to see what she can do on the track and I’ll definitely be keeping her for breeding.
“Dave is a lovely fellow too. A true gentleman is how I would describe him. We’ve spoken on the phone quite often, but because of COVID I still haven’t physically met him.
“I’ve also got some other young dogs. I’ve got two dogs out of Miss Splendamiro (six-time G1 finalist) and two half-brothers to Wild Flyer.
“The best horse I’ve had would be Scottish Border. He ran third in the Newcastle Cup, won a few country cups and earned around $500,000.
“I had a good mare called Campania that won $250,000. She’s had a Dundeel filly and is in foal to Dundeel again. Another nice mare I own called Entrancing has had a filly to Pierro.”
The greyhound racing bug has clearly bitten Wilde and if enthusiasm and track record are any guide, it’s likely his ‘Wild’ prefix will become prominent in the near future.
