2017 REVIEW: JUNE

The English Derby enters a new era on the first day of the month with the opening round of the Star Sports sponsored event gets underway at Towcester.

As feared, GRA announce that Hall Green will close on July 29. Within days, Angie Kibble and Bob Smith announce they will join Swindon.

Hayley Keightley unveils a new star as 19 month old Roxholme Nidge clocks 28.48 (+40) for Nottingham’s 480 metres in first ever race.

In addition to having their hurdles refurbished, Central Park unveil a new set of eight-dog traps.

Belle Vue racing manager Dave Brayshaw announces plans to switch to a career in horse racing.

The Dublin Greyhound Owners & Breeders Association announce that they will suspend their picket of Shelbourne Park. The deal includes the introduction of Tuesday and Friday nights at Shelbourne for ‘Harolds Cross runners’ plus the re-introduction of private trials.

Derby entry Garryvoe Bobby tests positive for Buscopan, a muscle relaxant commonly used greyhounds with urinary problems.

Former Monmore GM Bob Harwood dies of natural causes.

BAGS announce their latest round of streaming payments to cover the final quarter of 2016 – £575,000.

Derby sponsors Star Sports produce a variety of offers prior to the semi finals. Shrewd punters would have swerved the 6-1 for the ‘track record to go’, taken the 5-6 for Clares Rocket to beat Tyrur Shay, and the 5-4 that they would finish 1-2 (either order). They would have swerved the 4-5 that all three Irish runners in the first semi would qualify (Swithins Brae went out), but taken the 6-4 that Seamus Cahill would have two finalists and evens that there would be one wide runner.

The innovation of new transponders in racing jackets allows punters to study the times of the Derby semi finalists at ten different stages. They may have found it interesting to note the Droopys Buick and Coolavanny Mason hit the two fastest speeds in their races – 46.2 mph and 45.9 mph – nevertheless, both were eliminated.

The British Breeders Produce Stakes organisers at Bristol faced fewer headaches than their Towcester counterparts over qualification when only 64 runners were entered for the 72-runner stake. In fact, only 61 went to traps. Meanwhile at Central Park. . .