We just missed out on the big prize on Sunday with Newinn Yolo, but we know we are very lucky to have such a good dog with plenty of look forward to, hopefully starting this week.
Sunday was thoroughly enjoyable and I have no complaints that Cornamaddy Jumbo pipped us to the Greyhound of the Year award. Congratulations to Mark and the owner, I really mean it.
I said to owner Kevin Heilbron before the announcement was made, ‘isn’t it great to have won two awards?’ (the top standard runner, and best newcomer). That standard distance award is some accolade! We feel lucky, not disappointed.
Yolo is due to have his first trial back on Thursday at Newcastle and fingers crossed it all goes well. We have been caught out a little bit by the weather and he hasn’t had as much galloping as I would have liked due to frozen ground.
I would be disappointed if he didn’t clock something like a 17.20 for the sprint, and obviously come off sound. He seems to have strengthened up over the winter and I can’t wait to see how he goes.
It will be touch and go to have him ready for the Racing Post Juvenile (March 3), but given the record of Juvenile winners in the Derby. . . . Okay I am a bit superstitious.
If he isn’t ready, I would hope Swift Hoffman would come into the reckoning. He is a bit more advanced than Yolo and has already trialled twice at Newcastle, 17.15 and then a 17.05.
We are already up and running this year with the (Pinpoint Recruitment) Maiden Derby at Newcastle.
Burgess Oscar was our only winner though we still have four in it, with Musical Storm, Ascot Woodie, and Farran Heaslip.
Oscar looks to have the best chance because the other three look like being potential stayers.
In the longer term, I was thinking of taking them to Henlow for the (550m) Gold Cup. The main question mark is on Farran Heaslip who is 84lbs (38kg) and I don’t know whether he would handle the track.
I am also looking forward to the Ladbrokes Puppy Cup at Monmore, without doubt my favourite puppy competition. I used to love travelling down on a Thursday night.
They have changed the days and shorted the competition this year so it can be run on BAGS. I understand the commercial reasons for doing so, but it’s a shame.
I hope to have around six in it this year. In my opinion, to be a serious player you have to be capable of 28.20 (480) around there and Vatican Balotelli has already done that.
I am also pleased to report that Take The Crown has covered his first bitch. She is a good one too, Fearsome Class and handled by a top breeder, John Marriott. Class is from a great litter that includes Adageo Bob and Fearsome Liberty. It is exactly what you are looking for to start off a young dog.
Stud keeper Christine Green helped with the mating which was done by AI. Christine wasn’t convinced that the bitch was spot on, so she performed the second mating a few days later.
Borna Empress should be the second bitch and there have been other enquiries from owners waiting for bitches to come into season.
We know British breeding is very quiet at the moment, but I thought the world of Take The Crown and it would be great so see a few of his pups on the ground.
