PGR Kent Derby – Semi-finals
Rab McNair delighted with King Memphis in the opening round.
“We’re really pleased with Saturday’s performances,” said Rab. “(King) Memphis equalling his track record from the previous week was great to see.
“He was up against a talented greyhound in Cinderella Tell who has great early pace and Paul (Donovan, trainer) has him in great form right now. I think it was clear Memphis was going to pass Cinderella Tell before the line – he’s only getting stronger and fitter as each week passes.
“We gave him a long break after the Derby, and everything is falling into place with him.
“But the Kent Derby is a fantastic competition this year and to reach the final you’ll need to have your greyhounds in top form. El Tornillo really caught my eye in the final heat and there were some other good performances on Saturday.”
The McNairs also qualified Hunt Cup champion Havana Top Note and new addition Keylogues Runner for Saturday’s semi finals with both greyhounds drawn together in semi final three.
McNair added: “Havana Top Note ran a cracking race, and always gives 100 per cent on the track. We’re pleased with the draws and are already looking forward to Saturday.”
Outright prices
7/4 King Memphis 5/1 El Tornillo 6/1 Havana Top Note 8/1 Cinderella Tell 10/1 Droopys Doughnut, Newinn Benni 12/1 Tinreach Trueno 14/1 Keylogues Runner, Romeo Steel, Uncle Freddie 16/1 Romeo Kingpin 25/1 Droopys Manowar 50/1 Crossfield Enzo 66/1 Coolavanny Sissy, Droopys Display, King Stevens 80/1 Rosstemple Davey 100/1 Atomic Crimes
Premier Greyhound Racing Oaks – Round Two
48 have become 22 ahead of the quarter-final stage on Saturday night at Perry Barr.
Druids Say Go was the quickest in the opening round for Patrick Janssens.
Janssens said “It’s all about qualifying in these early races and making sure you keep finishing in the first three. She’s the type of greyhound that loves to race regularly which is why the East Anglian Derby and Oaks have been her two main targets this year.
“Her record is already outstanding, but she could become one of our kennel’s all-time greats if she continues to perform how she has been.
“We know what it takes to win the Oaks after Slick Sakina two years ago. Hopefully Druids Say Go can follow in her footsteps. She has the ability, but so do plenty of others left in the competition and there’s a long way to go yet.”
Outright prices
3/1 Queen Joni 7/2 Druids Say Go 5/1 Avongate Venus 7/1 Leighas Dream 14/1 Distant Cara 16/1 Droopys Eunice, Icemans Girl, Jet Stream Angel, Queen Dusty, Southfield Poppy 25/1 Coppice Ella 33/1 Front Alice 40/1 Highview Jasman, Southfield Petal 50/1 Ballymac Zari, Catunda Layla, Chamberlain Kate, Rioja Maxi 66/1 Devilgate Suzi 100/1 Ballyhealy Star, Droopys Glam, Swift Regina
Busy Thursday night for opens
Open race action at Hove, Newcastle and Swindon. this evening.
Hove have a pair of Category Three competitions starting. The one over 500m contains the new track record holder Candolim Monsoon in the middle heat at 8.41. Coral Romford Puppy Cup finalist Gingers Prince is in the final heat at 8.59 which could help set up a fascinating final in seven days. The other is over 695m and has Alright Gordy (6.42) and Ower Smasher (6.59) in action. There is also a Maiden Category Three final over 515m at 8.07.
In the North east, there are five opens on Newcastle’s card. Ladbrokes Gold Cup finalist Untold Euro is in action at 8.19 over 480m in the pick of the standard contests. The Other Donny produced a decent time when winning over 640m last week, he looks to build on that in the following contest at 8.36.
Swindon also hosts five opens tonight, including a marathon at 8.28 over the rarely used 896m trip. Track specialist Eze headlines the 9.52, chasing a hat-trick of wins over the 476m trip.
Nottingham’s new football partnership
Nottingham Greyhound Stadium has entered a new partnership with Notts County, with supporters benefitting from several exclusive trackside offers during the 2024-25 season.
As part of the agreement, Magpies’ season ticket holders will be entitled to free admission to all Monday and Friday evening race nights by showing their card at the turnstiles. A number of follow-up offers are due to be rolled out among the wider fanbase as the season develops too.
David Evans, General Manager at Nottingham Greyhound Stadium, said: “Nottingham is privileged to have a proud sporting heritage, with Notts County at the heart of the city’s history as the world’s oldest professional club.
“Being based only one mile from Meadow Lane, we appreciate what Notts County means to people locally – including our racegoers – which is why we’re pleased to formalise this new partnership.
“Our team is looking forward to holding a regular presence on matchdays and we hope to see plenty of black and white shirts trackside in the coming weeks.”
Fund-Racer opportunities
Nottingham Stadium has also extended its open invitation to County supporters attached to local amateur football and sports teams to be part of its regular Fund-Racer events.
Held on Friday evenings through the year, the Fund-Racer works by inviting six teams of up to 100 guests trackside to raise funds for their chosen cause. The track distributes 100 free tickets to participating teams, with all proceeds generated from sales retained by the fundraiser to support their club by purchasing new equipment, investing in facility upgrades or other means.
The track also shines a light on retired greyhounds and how they make loving pets when their racing careers end.
Dave added: “Tens of thousands of pounds have been raised for scores of sports clubs and community centres via the Fund-Racer, and we invite any Magpies supporters whose amateur sports club might benefit from a cash boost to contact our team today.
“We’re also committed to showcasing how greyhounds make fantastic pets in retirement. Contrary to belief, greyhounds are very laid back and require far less exercise than a lot of other breeds.
“We’re fortunate to collaborate with three excellent homing centres – Home Run Hounds, Seaside Greyhounds and West Yorkshire and District Retired Greyhounds – who are excellent at matching retired greyhounds with an appropriate forever home.”
BetGoodwin sponsoring three Oxford maiden Cat 2s
A trio of £3,000 to the winner maiden competitions will be run though November and December.
Yesterday the track announced three Category Two competitions which will make up the BetGoodwin Series. All are restricted to maidens with one over each of the 253m, 450m and 650m distances. BetGoodwin were also the sponsors of the Category One Pall Mall at the track in July.
Bombout Bullet returns with a Hove trial
The reigning National Sprint champion had his first action since August last night.
There are a couple of months between now and the start of the 2024 running of the Nottingham contest. He was spectacular when going unbeaten through the competition last year.
There are also some interesting trials at the track tonight. Both Hollow Man and Droopys Pivotel will be in action ahead of racing this evening.
Trials at Swindon tonight
There are a couple of notable trials at Swindon this evening ahead of racing.
Hopiehopiehopie has a sprint trial scheduled. She was a hair over three lengths off the 915m track record at Perry Barr in her most recent race, her eight-bend debut. That record has stood since 2007, although there are only one or two races a year over that distance.
The other is Arthur Length who is at Swindon for the first time since exiting the Produce Stakes in the second round. The three that qualified from his heat? Union Rebel, Romeo Crusade and Romeo Cypher, all finalists!
September Greyhound of the month
There are eight nominations for the Time Greyhound Nutrition Greyhound of the Month for September.
They are Avongate Venus (Phil Milner), Droopys Clue (Seamus Cahill), Druids Say Go (Patrick Janssens), Fabulous Dyna (Laurence Tuffin), Fire And Ice (Matt Dartnall), Greenwell Coe (Tom Heilbron), Rioja Bungle (Kevin Hutton) and Southfield Poppy (Kevin Hutton).
Stats
- Classy Gorey – 3.26 Perry Barr – 5/8 record in A7 grade.
- Drop The Torpedo – 3.51 Kinsley – 5/10 record from stripes in D2s.
- Runaway May – 7.42 Valley – 5/8 record at D3 level.
- Away Jazz – 8.31 Monmore – 7/10 in A1 grade.
- Burrows Trigger – 8.41 Hove – 6/10 overall at the track.
- Newinn Bliss – 9.20 Swindon – Has won six of her first 10 starts at Swindon.
- Eze – 9.52 Swindon – 10/19 in opens at the track.
Opens
Friday: Romford
Saturday: Central Park ♦Perry Barr
