After writing in recent weeks that I thought the kennel was generally running below form things certainly moved on with wins in the two big finals at Romford in the space of a week.
I was at Romford for Aayamza Express’s win in the Champion Stakes but on holiday in Ireland for the TV Trophy and popped along to Curraheen Park in Cork to watch the TV Trophy on RPGTV.
There was an entirely different feeling about the two races. At Romford, the pressure was on with the favourite. Watching on a screen in Cork, we had two relatively unfancied runners in terms of the betting and after being excited to see Bumblebee Bullet go clear, I suddenly realised that Aayamza Breeze was in second.
Yes – we shouted them home. No doubt to the amusement of the locals who must have wondered what the mad English were upto.
I had left strict instructions that I was expecting a dead-heat to get maximum points in the Trainers Championship. In the end there was a neck between them. (Doh!) I decided not to pursue it with the real boss, my wife Sarah.
I had booked the holiday with the Calco Club a year before and I am so lucky to have such a strong team behind me. The fact that Sarah was brought up with the dogs and knows the workings inside-out is invaluable. On the night, Daniel and Sid handled matters at the track, and of course physio Ron Mills worked his magic – as always.
I thought it was a great final, Graham Holland’s bitch ran a cracker to finish third after missing her break. But as I said previously, I think Bumblebee Bullet has massive potential in the longer term. She is barely two; by this time next year she should really come into her own.
Incidentally, the golf tournament was won by Paul Rich, who many people will remember from his time originally working for his dad Peter at Romford and then as a trainer at Walthamstow.
When the Stow closed Paul couldn’t make it pay and he eventually took a crash course and became a plumber. He is doing very well and was a very popular winner among my fellow golfers.
**As most of my friends know, golf if a passion of mine and I had quite a lucky week punting on it too. I backed Joaquin Niemann (28-1) and Sergio Garcia (16-1) who won their respective tournaments. Apart from the single bets, I also had a £5 double which nicely paid for the holiday.
(No need to mention it to the boss-Ed)
On the Saturday night we had runners at Yarmouth and had the fastest winners in both the IPA Sprint and Derby Purse at Yarmouth. The finals are on Thursday.
I was pleasantly surprised by Coolavanny Messi who has been a bit disappointing until now. He is really a middle distance dog but I decided to put him in against the sprinters at Yarmouth and he ran a cracker. He is currently for sale but I am hoping that he doesn’t leave the kennel.
I originally owned Avastorm myself but sold her quite cheaply to Craig Mucklow who works in the sports betting industry and is based in Las Vegas. Of the two, I think she has the better chance though five is not ideal and she would need to trap in front again and dominate. I know how much Craig is looking forward to it.
A couple of wins would certainly help the points tally in the Trainers Championship. But even though we have closed the deficit to fifty odd points, Seaglass Tiger represents Patrick (Janssens) in the Derby Final, and he must have a great chance with Bockos Doomie in the Kent Derby.
We might have to win another couple of Cat Ones before the end of the year just to remain in touch. But to be honest, it is winning Cat 1 races that brings the greatest satisfaction, not the points.
The next big event on the agenda is the Kent St.Leger at Crayford and the draw worked out an absolute shocker for us.
To be taking on Stayers Classic winner Sheldan and Golden Jacket winner and track record holder Stardom with two of our runners (Bumblebee Bullet and Antigua Fire) in the first heat is far from ideal.
Bumblebee Bullet and Aayamza Breeze (ht 4) both need further than the 714 metres but there was very little else for them to compete in. They would have spent the week on their beds which is a shame when they are clearly both running well.
Busters Bullet has a poor draw (T4) though the unluckiest dog in the kennel must surely be Brigadier Bullet who runs in the last heat. He was involved in a void race at Henlow last time out, when the hare curtain was pulled across too early.
Thankfully he wasn’t hurt and I have accepted the apology of Henlow boss Kevin Boothby that it was just human error. Unfortunately he had been fought in his previous outing and after being out of form in recent months, he was just showing a glimpse of his best.
Don’t forget he was ante post favourite for the Golden Jacket at the start of the year, so we know he can run. Fingers crossed that the last race won’t be a setback to his confidence.
Clearly Antigua Fire has our best chance. He was only beaten a head by Stardom in the Golden Jacket Final, under his old name of Towcester Story, and he is currently in the form of his life.
But it is a top quality competition with a stack of fast greyhounds. The two Roxholme bitches look serious players. If Poppy runs like she did at Yarmouth, I think they will all have their work cut out to live with her.
Dick Barfoot
Finally I would like to pay personal tribute to Dick Barfoot who died earlier this week. He and wife Ann have been great friends of the kennel over many years.
There were many highlights including Adageo reaching the 2010 Derby Final and Glanmire Lad winning the Puppy Cup at Romford. But the greatest by far by Adageo Bob’s swansong in his third attempt at the Essex Vase.
Dick and Ann encouraged their family to share their interest in the dogs and daughter Jo and son in law Mark still have runners with us.
We send our condolences to them and their extended family at this very sad time.
