Wimbledon assistant racing manager Owen Winkley believes changes in the rules have helped make the 2016 William Hill Springbok final one of the best for years.
He said: “The way the rules stood, dogs were not allowed to win a hurdle race before January 1. We put it back to December 1 and also insist that they must have had a qualifying trial over hurdles before the new year. So instead of trainers deciding to school a dog two weeks before the competition closed, they started that much earlier and the quality can be seen in the line-up for the final.”
After 10 minutes of attempting to squirm his way out of nominating his fancy for the final, and five minutes after declaring it was “between, one, four and five”, he finally opted towards favourite Razldazl Raidio to take the £5,000 first prize.
He said: “It is always going to be difficult with three middles and three wides but I am going for Razldazl Raidio – just – on the basis that he is a track record holder. I genuinely think there is little between the first two in the betting (Raidio and Ballymac Manix) and Riadio isn’t well drawn. But he did a decent time in his semi (29.40 – calc to 29.10) despite having a dog with him early, and then hitting the fifth hurdle.
“Compared to that, Ballymac Manix clocked (29.34 – calc to 29.04) while doing everything right. You also can’t rule out Brinkleysdominic, particularly if he was ever to trap.
“King Jake does have the early pace to lead them though he has time to find. It is great to get a local dog through to the final.”
