+ The biggest story of the month by far is the release of the industry injuries and euthanasia figures for the first time. They reveal that 257 greyhounds suffered ‘trackside’ fatalities from a total of 4,837 injuries during 2017. 267 greyhounds were deemed unsuitable for re-homing and 326 were put to sleep due to “treatment costs/poor prognosis”. 6,484 greyhounds were re-homed, 86.51% of the total. Following the report, the chairman of the committee overseeing the figures, Neil Parish MP, writes to Sports Minister Tracey Crouch recommending that greyhound racing should receive a statutory levy.
+ Swindon promoter Clarke Osborne issues a letter to appease Swindon regulars. They are concerned by a letter to planners form house builders Wimpey complaining about noise issues follow changed plans to redevelop the site. The track announce that the Arc has been postponed. Also, with so many meetings now being staged in daytime, they will introduce an Friday evening meeting each month for owners to events such as the Owners Bonus competitions.
+ Former Harringay owner Tony Mardle dies. Among his memorabilia are the two ‘track record boards’ that graced the main grandstand of the North London track from 1972 until the track’s closure.
+ Bull Run Button wins the Racing Post Juvenile for Barrie Draper at home course Sheffield. The race has proven something of a speciality for the kennel having won it previously with I’m Okay, Eden Star, Ballymac Eske and Ballymac Ramsey.
+ The 2017 Shoot Out winner Dorotas Wildcat sires his first litter, three dogs and seven bitches out of Ballyoak Badger.
+ Following the recent turn out of a counter protest at Henlow, 40 ‘pro greyhound racing supporters’ attend at rally outside Peterborough Stadium organised by local trainers Kim Wilding and Sharon Saberton. At Kinsley, John Curran has a banner put on display announcing that the track had rehomed more than 200 ex racers in the previous year. It doesn’t stop a visit to the track from Caged UK’s Rita James who is escorted off the premises.
+ The only meeting to date between Dorotas Wildcat and King Turbo goes in favour of the latter with Wildcat being “EP,Bmp1& ¼” before finishing fifth in the Astute Missile Gold Cup Final. The winner’s time of 27.92 is the fastest of the year.
+ Lenson Wilson completes a 42 length five-timer with an easy victory in the Springbok for trainer Ricky Holloway.
+ Harlow scrap their Bramwich Hare and install a ‘Swaffham’ lure.
+ Former GRA head vet Bruce Prole dies aged 85.
+ A little over £60K is issued by GBGB in the form of trainers assistants grants to 16 recipients.
+ Owner Mark Lowther is distraught when his recent Easter Cup winner Colarhouse Gerry breaks a hock in his first trial at Towcester. It is Lowther’s second blow following Bull Run Bolt’s broken hock.
THE Ladbrokes Puppy Derby saw a Cat 1 tricast with RISING BRANDY (t6) leads round the first bend from Droopys Verve (t4) with Brinkleys Poet (hidden on fails) eventually finishing third Photo: © Steve Nash
