Racing mad Newcastle boss Ian Walton is as excited about the final of the ARC Northern Puppy Derby as any of the punters coming into the stadium.
Tuesday night’s semi finals were lit up by the 28.21 run by Havana Bale Out, a performance described by Walton as “As good a performance as I have ever seen by a bitch. You have to remember that that run was on -10 going. Had it been in the summer, she would have broken 28.00 and possibly the track record too. It was just phenomenal.
“It is right up there with Ice On Fire’s best runs (28.16 x 2, 28.19 – all on normal going). She was just brilliant to watch.”
Despite the time, Liz McNair’s bitch can still be backed at even money (various).
Walton said: “The only reason for that is the overall quality of the final; she was even money ante post. It is the best Puppy Derby Final we have ever had here and I would say that there would be at least another two, or possibly three runners who would start favourite in most finals.”
Mickys Barrett was only 17 spots behind Bale Out in the semis and goes into the decider as a 2-1 chance chasing an eight-timer.
Walton said: “The dog is a winning machine. He was challenged to the first bend in the semi final but you could see that they weren’t going to get to him. He always looked as though he had the race in his control and would find an extra gear if it was needed.
“The connections were fabulous. They were like a football crowd singing for half an hour before the race. There were about 20 of them and we are expecting around 70 for the final. They added such a great atmosphere to the place.”
Freedom Alibi is generally available at 7-1 having been beaten by the Nottingham runner in the heats and semi finals.
Walton said: “You would think that he has time to find to reverse form with Mickys Barrett but this is a dog with a 28.42 trial (and 28.38 race form). You would have to say that he has been a bit unlucky to be in such a hot race, but if he was to come away, he would have to be a player.”
Blackhouse Harry was tipped by Walton to be a top class hound before he had even contested his first race. Stuart Ray’s runner is joint youngest in the line-up and is trading at 8-1.
Walton said: “I would say that of all the unraced pups I have seen, he would be in the top four. For his balance and action, he is a complete natural. The locals absolutely love him. For an August pup he is the real deal and should have a huge career in front of him.”
Bale Out’s kennelmate Havana Robusto is the same age as Harry but was unraced going into the competition. He is rated a 25-1 chance.
Walton said: “Hasn’t he done brilliantly to get through to a Category One final with just the two races on his card? A race of this quality has probably come too soon for him, but I can see him with a big career in front of him.”
The 33-1 outside is Tom Heilbron’s Innfield Trojan.
Walton said: “Obviously he has time to find but he is super consistent. If the final were to be won in 28.80, he would have to be right in there. You wouldn’t expect that in a field of this calibre but you never know.”
Tuesday’s semi finals were due to be shown live on SKY racing, but following a first race incident where a runner had to be withdrawn after continuing to turn in the traps, racing was delayed and the greyhound races clashed with a pre-booked horserace slot.
