Until recently Bill Wilde knew very little about racing, but unlike many others, he knew a lot about Jacquinot Bay.

The retired Canberra academic was a member of the allied forces at Jacquinot Bay in New Guinea during the Second World War.

When Wilde saw there was a horse named Jacquinot Bay, he got in touch with trainer Guy Walter who in turn put him in contact with Jacquinot Bay's owner Peter Woods.

"I had my 21st birthday at Jacquinot Bay but not many people knew about it so I was surprised when I saw there was a horse named that," Wilde said.

"It wasn't a place that was as famous as Kokoda but there were 5000 troops there from Australia and New Zealand.

"When I contacted Peter Woods and he found out I'd been at Jacquinot Bay he put me into the ownership of the horse and then he came out and won.

"Peter told me he had employed a man who had also been at Jacquinot Bay."

After three disappointing runs this campaign, Jacquinot Bay bounced back to his best to win over 1600 metres at Randwick last Saturday week, thrilling his new part-owner and his family.

"There were four generations here shouting and it was a big thrill," Wilde said.

"I didn't follow the racing until now but I will certainly be watching again tomorrow."

Jacquinot Bay has his first test at 2000m at Rosehill on Saturday and 90-year-old Wilde will be watching with interest.

"I'm told the trainer has been keen to get him up to 2000 metres for a while so it will be exciting to see if he can do it," Wilde said.

"Peter also put my name in a filly which he named after a book I wrote about Mary Gilmore called Courage A Grace but unfortunately she was injured so she hasn't raced yet."

Wilde was associate professor of English at the Royal Military College, Duntroon until his retirement in 1985 and Courage A Grace is one of several books he has written.

As a student of literature, Wilde has few peers but he admits his knowledge of form guides is limited.

But he knows enough to be wary of Junoob when Jacquinot Bay runs at 4.30pm.

"They tell me the Chris Waller-trained favourite will be hard to beat, but here's hoping," he said.