Two youngsters lit up the Nottingham Monday night card and both should have circles around their names in punters notebooks writes Floyd Amphlett.
First up was Carol Weatherall’s Calico Brandy (Holdem Spy-Wont Fall Behind, Aug 15). Contesting only the fourth race of his career, the 4-1 chance in the black blanket was led up by Burgess Sugarray (T5 5-2) before going away to win in 29.86 (+30) for 500m. It was the fastest time of the night, quicker even than the prolific Mustang Major who clocked 29.92.
The Darren Holmes bred youngster is from an exciting litter by two former kennel stars and includes recent Perry Barr open winner Calico Ranger.
The meeting featured three sprint opens, two went to seasoned performers, Whatugonnado and Sidarian Bullet, but the quickest was the youngster having only the second race of his career, The Other Billy (Razldazl Jayfkay-The Other Peach, Jul 15).
The Pat Rosney trained black, beaten on his debut by Tynwald Storm, reversed the form with that rival to win by two lengths in 17.64 – the fastest time of the year to date.
Rosney said: “I think so much of this pup that even though he was narrowly beaten in a very respectable time on his debut, I was a bit disappointed. This more than made up for it. I selected Billy as ‘one to follow’ at the beginning of the year and he has phenomenal pace, probably the most early in any greyhound we have had since Mileheight Alba. He is that good!
“He clocked 16.10 in his qualifying trials at Perry Barr so I knew what we had. He will eventually stay but has only had one four bend trial so far. He led a dog who went to the semi finals of the Monmore Puppy Derby by 10 lengths to the third bend but then cramped up. He still won by four in 28.80. What really excited me is that I always time them to the curtain at Perry Barr and he was only ten spots slower than Swift Hoffman on the night he recorded 27.70 for the 480 metres.
“Billy and his brother The Other Reg, who is also very good, were bred by Jennifer O’Donnell who is sending over another member of the litter this week and he will be for sale. I was particularly delighted for owner Tommy Smith who lost his mum recently. Hopefully Billy will have been something to lighten the gloom.”
