It has been a good week. My wife Nicky and daughter Rachel turned up to surprise me for Fathers Day and the preparations are all going to plan.
We are down to the 48 stage in the Star Sports English Derby and we still have three in it.
Looking at their chances, Garryvoe Bobby goes from trap five in the first heat. As a railer it wouldn’t look ideal though I don’t think it will affect him greatly. He tends to trap better from the outside and will pass on either side.
There is some good early pace on the rail but I am hoping he can be at least alongside of even in front at the bend.
Ballinakil Clare has trap four in the second heat which is far from ideal. She will need a smash break and a bit of luck because she doesn’t really have great early pace but she will stay on.
Whatever happens, she has paid her way to date and only really came along because she is Clares Rocket’s kennelmate and was here to keep him company. If she goes through, great, if not we will run her in the bitch’s race on final night.
Rocket goes from trap one in the fifth heat and is drawn alongside a very good dog in Priceless Brandy.
Like a lot of the dogs, Rocket has been stepping right when he comes out of the traps. He has been bumped at the boxes every night which is why his sectionals are back a bit.
At least from trap one he doesn’t have a dog on his inside and he should get a clear run. I just want to qualify.
I am off to Hove on Thursday with some potential trialists for the Coral Sussex Cup next month.
A lot will depend on what happens in Ireland within the next 24 hours. The suggestion is that an agreement has been reached in principle to re-open Shelbourne Park but a decision will be made with the greyhound people tonight – Wednesday.
There are stories suggesting that only Harolds Cross dogs would race on Tuesdays and Fridays, and there would be enhanced prize money.
I hope a solution is reached that satisfies everyone. The one issue that would concern me – if true – is that they will start unofficial trials at Shelbourne.
Now I see the bookies as the enemy every bit as much as the next man, but if you tilt things too much against them, they stop laying bets.
The Shelbourne decision might affect a raid on Hove but we might go anyway. It is an easy track to run and would suit the likes of Sonic and Impressive Guy.
We also have the Irish Laurels to plan for. At this stage I would hope to have five or six runners including the Produce Stakes winner Clonbrien Hero plus possibly Skywalker Manner and Riverside Oscar who are both returning from injury.
I have been asked if there is anything that I would change about Towcester as a Derby venue.
There is one thing, I would have a wider set of starting traps and move them forwards ten metres. In an ideal world, you would also move the winning line ten metres too.
Since that would be expensive, I would even settle for a 490 metre Derby.
The reasoning is that there is an optical illusion with the traps set into the bend and not being in alignment with the hare rail. That could be the reasons why so many dogs turn right at the traps.
The traps themselves could then be wider. They are using the old Coventry traps and need bigger spaces between each trap.
But make no mistake – Towcester is the best track for the English Derby, way better than Wimbledon.
I like the facilities, the way they promote the event and the attitude of the staff.
Everything in life can always be improved and this is no exception, but England needs Towcester as its Derby venue. I really like the place.
