Jimmy Fenwick is philosophical in announcing that Ice On Fire’s racing career has now officially ended.

The 2019 Greyhound of the Year went from trap two in the semi finals of the Arena Racing Northern Flat at Newcastle on Wednesday night. .

The swollen Achilles is clearly visible

Jimmy said: “Looking at the way he went to the first bend, he appeared to be in a position to win the race. I think Jaguar Macie was slightly leaning on him and then things went wrong at the first bend. King Bruno just ran away from him off the second bend. We realised that the dog had a problem, but I had a chat with Dave (Spraggon) and decided we would see how he looked in the morning.

“As the photograph should show, the Achiles is badly swollen and that means the end of his career. We said before we entered him in the Northern Flat that unless the dog won it, he wouldn’t be entered in the Derby. We needed to find out whether the injury would hold up to a competition and now we know.

“We are not too sad to be honest. It wasn’t like the first time because we knew we were up against it. But we have no regrets at giving it a go. There was a huge wave of enthusiasm after the heats, and so many people told us that it was brilliant to see him win another race.

“But that is how it goes. We would never have raced him after the Derby anyway.

“So we are looking forward and not back. He will return to stud and have a brilliant life here for the rest of his days.

“He has around 30 matings so far and has Dilly Dilly due to be covered this week.”

 

Despite the setback, there was plenty of positive emotion from the kennel too with Look Like Power qualifying for the final after finishing second in the first qualifier.

Jimmy said: “We were all thrilled for the dog and the owner. I think he has a reasonable chance in the final. Things would need to fall his way in terms of getting a run but that is always the same in finals.

“Ideally he would like to be closer to the rail but there is a ton of early speed on his inside and he may be better to follow them around and make his move from the third bend.”

 

The kennel will also be represented in the Dual Distance final by 640m track record holder Cold As Ice.

Jimmy added: “He is running well again. He gained a lot of confidence from being ‘on the bunny’ in those runs over six bends and I thought he ran exceptionally well to win his heat.”

 

Northern Flat Final

  1. Killie Phantom
  2. Save Me Paddy
  3. King Bruno
  4. Looks Like Power
  5. Pacemaker Ted (W)
  6. Calzaghe Edward (W)

Sprint 500 Final

  1. Swift Guard
  2. Freedom Reporter (M)
  3. Freedom Whiskey (M)
  4. Geelo Gold Dust (M)
  5. Coolavanny Galiv (M)
  6. Matts Malibu (W)

Dual Distance Final

  1. Coolavanny Bani
  2. Skywalker Bonnie
  3. Cold As Ice (M)
  4. Velvet Juliet (M)
  5. Popper Dale (M)
  6. Bandit Tara (W)