Bansha Rooskey’s victory in the 70th British Bred Produce Stakes is an example of all that is good about grass roots greyhound racing in 2016 Britain.
Bansha Rooskey went to Swindon’s 480m traps as one of the three 7-1 outsiders in the £15,000 decider. He had got there courtesy of one win and two second places and was the only wide seed in the line-up.
When the they had met in the semis, Dave Acott’s Rooskey was part of the field almost wiped out by John Mullins’ Badebing at the first bend. The pair were identically drawn, and went through the sectionals within one spot of repeating their qualifiers (Rooskey 2.38, Badebing 2.46) with white jacketed 10-11f favourite Castell Henry (2.42) midway between them. On this occasion though, it was Henry who took the shove as Rooskey rode the bend. The buckle commenced in earnest off the second bend with Badebing looking marginal favourite but Castell Henry was flying in third spot.
He ran into a roadblock at the third bend as the leading pair continued their private battle. Coming off the last, the margin between the leaders grew even tighter as Henry’s litter brother Bang On Giles made his late surge. In an incredible finish, the the first two crossed the winning line together with Rooskey getting the verdict by a head. Bang On Giles was a neck back in third. The winner clocked 28.83, and contrary to any derisory comments and ‘uncompetitive British bred events’ the sextet crossed the winning line within two and a half lengths of each other. By any standards, it was a magnificent race.
The winner is owned and trained by Rhyl based Dave Acott who has reached a number of big finals previously, most notably the Gymcrack and Blue Riband with Drumcrow Dav.
He said: “I bought Rooskey from the breeder Mark Machin for £4,000. He had been running well for Barrie Draper at Sheffield but I liked the look of him and although he hadn’t trapped consistently, he had shown he had some ability and I hoped there was a bit more to come. I think Mark wanted to use some money to breed the next litter but I know how much he wanted the dog to run in the Produce Stakes and I promised him that we would honour that wish.
“We trialled Rooskey at Perry Barr and he clocked 28.48 which was very pleasing and he then did 29.11 on his first look at Swindon. I knew he needed the run and would improve in the first round, which he did. I thought he could have a 28.60 run in him in the semis, but for the first bend trouble. I was in the middle of the track for the final and could see the striped jacket and thought, ‘we’ve won it’. It didn’t occur to me that we hadn’t until we were walking off and I heard them announce a photo finish. I had faith he had got up though. We knew he had guts from the semi finals when he was almost knocked over the hare rail but ran on for second. I also knew he had a bit of early toe – if he is vulnerable, it is in the middle section of the race – but he stays on well and has won over 500 metres so I was very hopeful.”
Acott, who runs a label-printing business is a dog-man of 40 years standing, having plied his trade with the likes of Otto Kueres and Ken Bebbington on the flapping scene of North Wales and North West England. He took out a permit at Norton Canes and enjoyed spells at Kinsley and Coventry twice before ending up at Perry Barr. Belle Vue, at 90 minutes, is his closest track, with ‘everywhere else’ including Perry Barr a two and a half hour drive.
Mum: Bansha Mo
So would he ever fancy joining Belle Vue? Acott replied: “For a start, I don’t think they would want me, I only have five dogs. As a principle, I think it is a shame that they wouldn’t because a lot of us small trainers have decent quality dogs and I think we would enhance racing. But separate to that, I love Perry Barr and am very well treated there. Tracks like Perry Barr, Kinsley and Henlow still offer the chance for small dog men to get involved, and I don’t see enough new trainers coming through. So much as I would love saving myself an hour on each journey, no I wouldn’t make the switch.”
Bansha Rooskey was bred and Mark Machin from Sheffield. He is by Derby winner Taylors Sky out of the first litter produced by the former Harry Crapper trained top class open racer Bansha Mo (Scarty Lad-Glory Days). The litter of five includes Bansha Palladio (Sheff. A3), Horus (Sheff. A4), and ‘Shellams’ Belle (Newc. A5), and Storm (Sunderland A4).
On the track, Mo dominated the ’13 Coronation Stakes at Romford clocking 35.26 in the semis but was withdrawn from the final. At Sheffield she recorded 27.91/28.55 for 480/500m. Other winning times include a 28.49 at Wimbledon (480m) and 29.49 (483m) at Doncaster.
