Venus has Towcester coronation
Avongate Venus wears the crown of the Empress.
Phil Milner’s superstar dug deep to see off a succession of challenges on her way to the opening Category One success for the kennel. Brave at the opening turn saw off her first challenge from New Destiny who had pinged the lids in smart fashion. Once in front, it was alway going to be a tough task for her rivals to wrest away the bet365 Empress Stakes trophy.
It was a strong contest with both the runner-up Icemans Girl for Nathan Hunt and Droopys Eunice in third for Maxine Locke running huge races. Hopefully, this will set up a rematch next month at Perry Barr with the Oaks starting on October 5.
That is the plan for the winner. Phil Milner told us “She will have a week off, go for a trial and go from there. Sean (O’Connor, owner) is wanting to go that route is all is good.
“She’s bouncing this morning, you wouldn’t know she’s run. She jumped out the van last night like she’d been on a Sunday walk, demanding dinner.”
Avongate Venus is from a repeat mating of Droopys Sydney and Droopys Ring. Their July 20 litter produced Slick Sakina who won the Oaks in 2022. There have been four dual winners of th English Oaks but as far as we can tell, no dam has produced winners from different litters. That is a testament to breeder Rory Hickey who is responsible for the dam.
Joe’s Nottingham Tips
***8.19 Nottingham – Faithful Friend
**9.28 Nottingham – Sambar Kian
*9.46 Nottingham – Catunda Ciaran
A new week sees us kick off with open race action at Nottingham this evening with two heats of a ladies standard competition, two heats of a gents standard competition and the Nottingham Greyhounds 480m final.
The Nottingham Greyhounds 480m final at 8.54 sees Links Weapon line up from trap one and the draw has worked out perfectly for him. However, I am going to be with trap four Velvet Madrid who was impressive when winning his heat last week. I think he can clear Links Weapon at the first bend to lead and if leading over this trip he shouldn’t be for catching.
The Arc Ladies Standard Heat One at 8.01 is a wide open affair. I’m going to be with Tuttles Sal who won an A2 in good style over C&D ten days ago so if she can get first run on the field here she should go onto score.
Heat two at 8.19 looks a less competitive affair where my nap of the evening runs from trap one Faithful Friend. She is in cracking form having won four of her last five starts including an A2, A1s and an open race so a clean break for Faithful Friend can see her lead into the first bend and from there she can put the race to bed heading into bends three and four.
The Arc Gents Standard Heat One at 9.28 sees the next best run from trap two Sambar Kian. He hasn’t been seen since winning an invitation race on August 26 beating a strong field including Derby semi-finalist Salacres Slick so this is a big drop in class for Sambar Kian who should lead Ravenswell Aero on his inside to turn in a prominent position where he can show his class to land heat one.
Heat two at 9.46 sees an interesting runner in trap five Catunda Ciaran. He has some impressive recent runs at Sheffield including A1 victories in 28.89 and open race victories beating the likes of Birmingham Cup finalist Unanimous Leon. His trial was satisfactory clocking 30.44 calculated off a slow 5.28 sectional so improvement from trap rise and a clear run should see Catunda Ciaran land heat two.
Updated Yarmouth Prices
Just two days to go until the Click Competitions East Anglian Derby Final.
It’s the biggest day of the year for Yarmouth on Wednesday night. We will be at the track with our first Gone To The Dogs Live! broadcast.
8/13 Druids Say Go 4/1 Murrow Inkosi 9/2 Swift Depot 8/1 Getup Me Son 16/1 Nowhere To Go, Trumpers Bobcat
Four on the bounce for Four From Two
Ricky Holloway’s hurdler carrying all before him over 540m
The Champion Hurdle finalist has found his calling over the longer hurdles trip, a perfect 4/4 over the distance when faced with obstacles. He is not only winning his races with ease, he is also setting some flying times while he does so. For the second time he stopped the clock in 33.71 on Sunday night.
Compare that to the efforts of Laughil Jess (33.65) in the race immediately afterwards and Slick Sabo (33.72) later on the card. Both of those were on the flat with Four From Two’s time in the middle. It is a huge shame that hurdling on a galloping four bend track is almost a thing of the past.
Four From Two was one of six winners on the night for Holloway. Signet Harper continued her hot spell In the 380m hurdle contest. Coppice Burton, Similar Display, Imonlytwilight and the aforementioned Slick Sabo were the others.
King Snoop produced the quickest 380m run of the night, a 23.17 effort for Theresa Dornan. A triple A1 winner in the summer, he was never in danger once he had produced a solid 3.53 secitional to lead up the field.
Dave Lee as said scored with Laughil Jess who produced her 24th open race win at the track. He would also win the final race of the evening with Ya No.
Yorkshire Derby and BGBF St Leger draws
There were some smart performances on Saturday evening at Doncaster.
The draw for the semi-final stage of both Category Two competitions has been made. The first Yorkshire Derby semi in particular looks like a super race in prospect this weekend. 
Irish Derby tickets on sale
- General Admission: €25.00
- OAP and Student Rates: €12.50 (ID will be required on entry)
- Casual Meal Deal: €35.00 (includes admission and a burger meal)
Stats
- Kerrydale Amos – 5.03 Doncaster – 8/16 in A1 grade.
- Always Along – 7.22 Yarmouth – 4/5 when drawn in trap three.
Opens
Wednesday: Yarmouth
Saturday: Perry Barr
