BRITISH PERFORMANCE OF THE WEEK

Despite all the doom and gloom, greyhound racing has enjoyed another exciting and productive week thanks in no small way to the sponsorship of GVC, Star Sports (Ben Keith) and Property 192 (Colin Davey). The first named is a bookmaker, the last named is an enthusiast, with Star/Ben having a foot in both camps.

The first of the Cat 1s took place on Friday night and a thoroughly merited victory for the Seamus Cahill bred and trained Surprising in the Star Sports Puppy Derby. His winning time was the fastest of the competition. Pat Cowdrill had her own ‘bred, owned and trained’ Cat One winner at Sheffield on Tuesday with Elderberry Sky in the British Bred Derby Final. (Honourable mention for Winetaven Curly who was five spots quicker on the same card)

Just like Surprising and Elderberry Sky, there was also a ‘cut and paste unbeaten’ selection for Coral TV Trophy winner Aayamza Royale in a time over three seconds slower than her heat win.

On Sunday night big priced outsider Ballymac Trend was a big priced winner of the Oaks. It was her first nomination in this feature, but not her first mention.

October 12

Meanwhile kennelmate Emotional was putting together an outstanding run in the heats of the British Bred Leger at Central Park – a 40.19 win on going rated -45.

Returning to Friday night and Mark Wallis was bossing it at Romford where he sent out a five-timer headed by the fastest 575 winner of the night Ivy Hill Skyhigh.

Sticking with the open racing theme, we trace back to last Monday at Nottingham and the semis of the National Sprint which saw Geelo Gold Dust replace kennelmate Geelo Coney following a fastest semi final win. Also on Monday was the first round of the Yarmouth Championship where yet another ‘Swift’ took the nomination – this time quickest heat winner Swift Addition.

Winter going is playing havoc with winning times so although Sleepy Kevin didn’t clock the fastest 540 of the week at Crayford, it was still the best performance as he completed an S1 hat-trick.

Nor was the stopwatch any help at Doncaster where it is a toss-up between two Sue Watson trained Ballymacs, Johnsie (top 483) and Chino (top 450). Johnsie got the nod last week, so it goes to Ballymac Chino following consecutive B1 wins.

Carol Grasso was doing something similar at Henlow where Jet Stream Indie took over from her Jet Stream Socks.

Harlow’s Barnagrane Vic is rubber stamped after improving on last week’s fastest run by 13 spots. Balidaniel Tadhg was the quickest Kinsley sprinter this week with a 16.11 run, but puppy Corona Lady was only six spots slower and worthy of the nod.

The Monmore pick last week Signet Mafia was set to defend his title in a tough A1, but came out fourth best behind the ever reliable Jazzers Man. Meanwhile Perry Barr had a couple of tasty A1s of their own, and won in identical times. With respect to Moyar Valley, it has to go to last Thursday’s run by Castell Stevie beating a field that included Doolin King and Newinn Banger on a slower track.

Finally – the North East with three sub 26.00 performances this week at Pelaw with the quickest being Gartcloss Mo. Sunderland’s top A1 winner was another son of Droopys Jet, Westway Donald. While at Newcastle, a 28.67 run is the slowest A1 win to secure top spot, but it was head and shoulders the best run of the week for Pinpoint Villa.