We had a tremendous night at Crayford on Tuesday. Although Rubys Razzle finished second in the big race, we won the Peter Bussey Memorial plus three other winners. We also have a match race to look forward to.

As for the Golden Jacket itself, we were beaten by a better dog on the night in Boylesport Star. Razzle didn’t come away as well as she can and although she led, I was never confident that she was far enough clear. No ‘oi, ois’ were heard. In the end, I thought she ran on gamely to hold onto second in a star studded race. Ferryforth Fran was not suited to the track but it says so much about him that he was able to make the final.

We were beaten but there was a huge buzz about the whole evening and when the hare went behind the traps, the hairs on my neck stood on end. That’s how it should be.

I was thrilled for Lord Hesketh when Ribble Aon won the Bussey Memorial. It was our sixth win in the race though Aon was not as short in the betting as some of the previous winners. In fact, we fancied her to win the Gold Collar last year but she had to be withdrawn from the semis with a damaged toe.

I was expecting Rubys Rascal to win the supporting 714 open and he duly did – in style! He did a 22.99 sectional after being bumped at the traps and his winning time was half a second faster than the Golden Jacket winner. I am confident that barring injury, there is at least one further category one win in him this year.

In the meantime, we have accepted a challenge to take on Roxholme Magic in a match race over 750 metres at Romford. It will probably take place on Golden Sprint final night with each side putting up £1,000 with a similar amount from the track and 10% going to the local RGT.

I love match races, even though a lot of them are born out of grudges or bitterness. This one isn’t, it is out of pure sportsmanship. They are both popular greyhounds and this will be great for the game.

 

We celebrated our 50th open winner of 2017 when Roswell Roxanne won at Crayford. I have checked back through the records and we have never reached that landmark before March in previous years.

I am also chuffed with the strike rate of 34%. It isn’t sustainable in the long term but with the Trainers Championship meeting not far away, it is great to have the kennel in form. The biggest problem at the moment is choosing the two stayers from Rubys Razzle, Rubys Rascal and Ferryforth Fran, not that I am complaining.

 

I would like to send my best wishes to Peter Harnden in taking the role of the trainers representative at GBGB.

It is a complex position because in addition to seeking better conditions and benefits, Peter will be aware that a small percentage of his own members are consistently falling short of acceptable standards. I am not too concerned about how plush their kennels are, provided they meet basic standards including being able to keep the dogs warm in the winter, cool in the summer, and with facilities for concrete runs and grass paddocks.

It is the condition and welfare of the dogs which is paramount and I think that we, as an industry, are prepared to turn a blind eye too often.  Now I have heard some welfarists criticise greyhound training methods in general saying ‘all greyhounds are kenneled away for 22 hours a day’. It is true. But all my dogs go out a minimum of four times a day. What does the average pet do? Two 30 minute walks a day – if they are lucky! Most greyhounds are keen to get back on their beds after 20 minutes in the paddocks. They have company all day and also have racedays and trial days to look forward to as a change in their routine, plus grooming and other human contact.

But that isn’t always the case. Some trainers, albeit a small minority, lock their kennels at 12 o’clock lunchtime and don’t re-open them until 8am the next morning. That is just wrong! In addition, the condition of the dogs in some licensed kennels is disgraceful. How they are allowed to race or trial is beyond me.

Quite how it is allowed to happen in an industry that is supposed to be closely monitored is staggering. This isn’t about trying to appease the antis, I don’t care what they say or think. They will always oppose racing whatever we do; this is about the dogs.

The rules are in place and should be strictly enforced. I am confident that the stewards would be fully supported by my fellow trainers when they have to make tough decisions.

As I say, Peter has a very tough job. But he is nobody’s fool and the ideal man to take us forward.