Fourmidable
Four members of the same litter feature on our ‘Fastest of Year’ table to the end of February, and most open race punters would probably be able to guess the identity of three of them.
Cesarewitch winner Garfiney Blaze has set the staying standard at Central Park and Hove. Ballymac Taylor has gone quickest at Crayford and Oxford (technically that was a March 1 race). Haka Carlo is quickest over the St.Leger trip at Perry Barr leaving the least known member of the quartet Betsys Minnie as the quickest over the Kinsley six bends.
Awards stars in action
A number of the hounds nominated for awards at tonight’s ceremony in Hove were in action at the track last night.
Five of the nine winners were provided by the top two kennels/owners in 2023.
Sprinter of the Year nomination Quarteira equalled the fastest two-bend time this year for Mark Wallis, while Eclipse finalist Ballymac John turned over the short priced Queen Joni in a very sharp 29.34 (-20), the fastest 500m race of the night.
But it was a very successful night for Liz McNair and the KSS Syndicate. Olympic winner King Memphis was imperious when clocking 30.12 (-20) for the 515m course; his first race of the year. Sister Queen Shakira clocked 30.40 while brother King Combs appeared to go briefly unsighted when checking on his way to the winning line. The race also featured Greyhound of the Year contender Droopys Clue.
Grand National winner Coppice Fox continued his rich vein of form with a Springbok prep race going to Roll In Full with the sort of blanket finish that you sometimes get with novice jumpers. Move Over Ogie won for the first time for Matt Dartnall and the locals saw one of their own land the last race of the night with puppy Noirs News winning for Seamus Cahill’s
Tonight
A reminder of the nominations for the GBGB awards which take place later today
