Every day is a battle as a greyhound trainer but those 15 minutes leading up to, during, and after a big race win make it all worthwhile.
I am not normally that bullish about dogs winning finals, even when we have odds-on chances, but we knew Billy would run a big race in the Regency. Even my wife Sarah said ‘look at Billy’ as he was running around in the paddocks this week. He wouldn’t normally get so excited. The change in weather really brought him to life and I have never seen him in better shape before the final.
There can be no better feeling in life for an owner or trainer that seeing a dog come bombing out of the traps like Billy did last night. The adrenaline levels went through the roof. I doubt it could feel any better if you won the lottery during those few seconds.
It is on nights like those when you do feel the need to thank everyone, Daniel Docherty the vet, Ron Mills, the physio, and of course all the staff. It isn’t just lip service, we couldn’t get these results without everybody else’s skill and hard work. There is so much effort that goes into something like last night, but it was worth every second.
It was us and Billy against the world – and last night at least, we came our in front.
It was a late night back from Hove and I have to be on the road to Wimbledon by 2.3o today (Thursday). The traffic is supposed to be horrendous and we have a runner in the very first heat. I am a member of the syndicate who owns Calco Flyer and the rest would have my guts for garters on a ‘no show’.
We have 16 in the event including probably half a dozen who would do well to qualify. As it has turned out, our lesser lights seem to have drawn the toughest heats.
Domino Storm must rate as our leading fancy supported by Ballymac Shirley and Roswell Iceman. I’ve heard quite a few comments from people who think they know best suggesting she has been running too long and will be tired before the Derby. There are a lot of experts out there.
I would suggest that Storm, who has been suppressed, but was laid off after the Oaks until the Trainers Championship, is in the best form of her life. Last year she possibly came into the event a little underdone and went out in the first round.
Is there a third Derby winner out there? You really don’t know. I wouldn’t be as presumptive to hope for a finalist, but if we could manage a couple to the semis, I would be more than satisfied.
