Whether it is the prospect of polar weather howling in from Scandinavia rather than a gentle breeze drifting over from Northern France, but Newcastle GM Ian Walton is mystified at the comparative lack of Southern intent for the forthcoming Premier Greyhound Racing All England Cup.
Ian said: “I’ve seen quite a quite quotes about trainers heaving for the Olympic, but very few talking about the PGR All England Cup with twice as much for the winner. . . £20,000. I could understand it more if Links Maverick had been available, but he is off for the winter and it looks very open.”
The track boss is jogging memories, conscience that time is running out with the closing date for the 480m event in just 10 days time and with the first round runners due to go to traps on Thursday December 14.
He added: “I think most trainers would like to give their dogs a look around the place and we are happy to accommodate them for trials, from Tuesday through to Saturday. Although it isn’t the easiest place to run first time, it is a track without an inside bias with quite a few of our big race winners being wide seeds.
“I would also remind trainers that there are three smaller comps (290m, 480m, 640m) supporting the main event.
“I’ve heard it said that last year’s final wasn’t the strongest overall for a £20,000 final, but I’d settle for another atmosphere just like it with another very worthy winner. Of course much of that was down to the Mickys Barrett supporters.”
Late on Thursday afternoon, Walton picked out Brinkleys Magic, the recent ARC Classic winner Jonny Whiskers and Pape Di Oro, Swift Silly and the Droopys Biggie as five locals worth following through the event.
Had he waited just a few hours, he might have tweaked that list!
Brookside Richie trialled before racing clocking 28.46 in his first four-bender since his surprise elimination in the Steel City Cup semi finals.
The Northern Flat/Select Stakes/Juvenile Classic/Romford Puppy Cup winner is now into veteran status but that old thing about ‘class being permanent’ . . .
Trainer Jimmy Fenwick said: “We gave him a sprint last week. He did 16.77 which is probably his fastest.
It (the 480 trial) was probably on slow track, 28.46 was his time.”
Jimmy has also confirmed that Richie would begin some stud duties following this event.
He has already received numerous calls from breeders in Ireland and Australia for the son of Droopys Sydney out of a litter sister to Droppys Buick.
Even quicker was the recent Irish import Bogger Rambo who has joined Tom Heilbron
Tom said:
A nice story this week from Leanne and Nick Moody, owners of the sofa blocker, Nolas Meg.
Five members of the Meg’s litter by Trickys Dumbo were out on Monday. Nolas Barnzee and Nolas Bigfoot both won at Towcester. Nolas Special won at Suffolk Downs. Trickys Olive dead heated for a win at Sheffield where Nolas Lady finished second.
John Mullins has asked for this to be highlighted in memory of his great friend and that great greyhound supporter, the late Pat Curtin. We are sure it will be well supported on both sides of the Irish Sea.
