Despite the twin obstacles of Brexit and Covid, Nicky and Graham Holland are still planning to send a team of open racers for the 2021 Star Sports Derby at Towcester.
Graham said: “We have been researching all the red tape that has developed since last year and plan to have it all in place in plenty of time. I have no idea how many we will be sending over, it is too early to know which dogs will be ready, but it should be something similar to last year.”
Among the probables are Newinn Session, Native Maestro, Jackslittlething, Rathcoole Fox, Golden Tiger, Rural Star and Romeo Madgico.
Newinn Session: “He was unlucky when narrowly eliminated in the second round at Nottingham last year but went well in the early rounds of the Easter Cup. I think the long run up at Towcester will really suit his style of running.”
Native Maestro: “He won his first seven races in a row last year and went unbeaten to the final of the Kingdom Derby but missed his break in the final and was beaten by Knocknaboul Syd. Two things were against him that night. The track was waterlogged, but just as important, he missed his break and didn’t know how to handle it when he got behind. He showed great pace to beat Ballymac Wild in the first round of the Easter Cup. He missed his break in the second, still led by the second bend but checked. He rallied, was challenging for the lead at the third bend and was then crowded out of it. He is still learning but is a dog with tremendous pace.
Jackslittlething: “He is only an August puppy but won three rounds of the Rural Hawaii Unraced including the final.”
Romeo Magico: “Badger, as he is known in the kennel. He is a bit of a long shot and was beaten in his only race but he did 17.39 (-10) in a qualifying tral at Tralee (TR 17.17) so we know he can run.
Rathcoole Fox: “He is an experienced open race who we brought over last year.”
Golden Tiger: “He runs in the Easter Cup Final this weekend. He has some time to find but looks the finalist most open to improvement. He was very puppyish when he first arrived and took a while to settle down to our routine. But he has impressed me with his improvement. He won his second round heat in 29.67 and if he traps at his best has great pace from two to three. The bitch (Billys Diva) is the one to beat but he isn’t without a decent chance.”
Irish Derby winner Newinn Taylor has recovered sufficiently from his broken hock to be able to commence stud duties.
Graham said: “He seemed in excellent condition but we were waiting for the go-ahead from the vet which we got last week. The dog was keen to work and we have have had a sample of semen taken which appears to be fine under the microscope though we are only get it verified by the vet. We have the equipment here to blood test the bitches and he will stand at stud with us.”
The 2019 Derby winner Lenson Bocko is already in demand and has covered 15 bitches. Among his early litters are a six and a half week old litter out of Riverside Honey.
Graham said: “We made a decision to stand both dogs at stud. They are both Derby winners and their sires (Droopys Buick/Droopys Jet) are no longer around which must give each dog a great opportunity.”
Newinn Taylor with Rachel Holland
