Rab McNair stated last week that he would be getting his team of greyhounds plenty of experience of Colwick Park ahead of the Star Sports, ARC & LPS Greyhound Derby writes Mark Pierrepont.
King Turbo was trialling around Nottingham for the third week in succession, experience which appears to be serving him well.
His times have been relatively steady , 29.76 (+30) week one , 29.63 (+30) week two and 29.95 (normal) at this week’s Monday evening session. Recording 5.14 yesterday compared to 5.04 last week , though slipping back on his overall calculated time by a couple of spots , line to line he did improve slightly.
The main thing at the minute though is he is running the track well and handling the contours of the circuit without any issue. Rab also brought King Dylan for his first look at the track, this strong running soon of Eden The Kid and Skate On has already reached the finals of the Henlow Puppy Derby and the Winter Derby at Hove in his fledgling career so far.
A winning record of 3 from 14 doesn’t do justice to Dylan’s ability , but he’s competed in good class races against dogs with much more experience at times. Nottingham’s testing gallop should play ideally to his strengths and Mondays trial time of 28.74 (+10) in a 480m solo was a more than acceptable first look.
Hayley Keightley also brought along a young , inexperienced, but highly talented type for what was to be his first look at the track. Roxholme Jim reached the final of the Steel City Cup at Sheffield recently , winning heat and semi final, he was beaten 4 1/4 lengths into fifth place in the final itself behind kennel mate Roxholme Nidge.
Jim turned 2 years old in February , but he’s a novice in every other aspect , a novice with unlimited potential. Breaking well in his 480m solo trial (3.99 split) he moved to the bend well , at this point though he totally lost his bearings , maybe travelling a little too fast for his own good at what was his first look , moving off the bend he without doubt lost time , easing again at the difficult third bend , he can only improve for the look massively , so his time of 28.79 (+10) was more than acceptable and by the look on the face of Mark Keightley who was stood track side , he was pleased too.
Just a note about Roxholme Poppy , unraced since winning the Yorkshire St Leger Final at Doncaster in October , connections were rightfully delighted with a fastest of the session 500m trial of 29.94 (normal) when winning a 3 dog trial by 8 3/4 lengths.
The Derby wouldn’t be on the agenda for this strong runner, but a notable trial all the same. Comeonyoubees , the first entrant into the 2019 Greyhound Derby book , came for what was her first look at the venue and recorded 30.64 (+10) in a 500m solo, she will have to improve but is more than likely to do so.
