The Henlow racing is taking a breather after the four meetings a week schedule prior to Christmas, but it won’t last long.
Racing manager Paul Mellor said: “We are racing Thursdays and Sundays (both RPGTV) but go back to three meetings (Saturdays) again from February.
“Even as things stand, the runner situation is tight. We had two opens this week but still only had four reserves for both meetings. Overall, I suppose we have around 150 dogs available but would like more.
“We have just submitted plans for our Derby later in the year, and we will probably operate a very similar schedule.”
Liss Katie (Head Bound-Liss May, Apr 13) moved from A6 to win opens on her way to becoming Henlow’s most prolific winner in 2015. Tony Tuffin’s black actually dipped to A7 in April before landing the first of her three hat-tricks. A seasonal break in June resulted in a three-level downgrade and hat-trick and she then finished the year with five wins in her last seven races including two impressive 428 metre open race victories.
Katie finished the year with a magnificent 52% strike rate (12/ 23) and best time of 25.63c-428m, 27.65c-460m
11-wins: Abbey Dawn, Savana Tatum
10-wins: Leahs Sailor, Savana Mark, Savana Minstrel, Sonic Boom Boy, Westmead Rena
HENLOW PUPS TO FOLLOW
SHIMMERING ZEUS/TUFTYS LEADER (Kinloch Brae-Ballymac Abigail, Apr 14) Two locally bred litter brothers. The black Zeus qualified in 28.72 for breeder/trainer Kim Taylor and has won his two races to date in 28.16 and 28.09 showing “amazing pace” according to the racing office. Brother Leader qualified in 28.89 and has won wins from his first four races for Tony Tuffin including a best of 28.11 in A8.
QUIVERS WARRIOR QUIVERS BLISS (Skywalker Puma-Quivers Point, May 14) Barry and Tracy Stows’ brindle and white Warrior qualified in 29.01 and won his first three races (A10, A9, A7) where he clocked a brilliant 27.96. Has since been beaten but huge potential. Kennelmate, the black Bliss, is reckoned even quicker and has won three from five with a best of 27.80 in A5.
Races: 277m-68, 428m-43, 460m-1,211, 550m-162, 692m-24, 842m-1 Opens 390(25.9%)/Graded 1117 (74.1%)
Two greyhounds won over three different distances in 2015, the open racers Aero Babooshka (277m-16.63, 428m-25.53, 460m-28.07) and Headford Joe (277m-16.48, 428m-25.74, 460m-27.59).
Babooshka (left) was also the most prolific open racer at the track with eight victories. Eric Cantillon was the leading open race trainer with 42 wins, followed by 25-Mark Wallis, 24 Simon Cull. 87 different trainers won opens at the track in 2015. Westmead Sula and Loughnatousa Una were the leading open race dams with 12 wins apiece.
Average winning times: A1-27.61, A2-27.84, A10-28.91 460m O/R-27.76. Other opens: 277m-16.83, 428m-25.94, 550m-33.78, 692m-42.96
