The flaps might have gone but the flapping men keep going . . .
Trionas Travel went within three spots of the Perry Barr 480m track record when landing his heat of the ARC Laurels at Perry Barr on Thursday. Ernie Skeech’s black and white took his Perry Barr record to 4:4 with a 27.96 run. Only Drumkeen Oyster has gone quicker back in September 2015.
Long time readers of Greyhound Star newspaper will be well familiar with the Skeech family. The St.Helens based ex-miners were always feared on the flaps and twice won the Star’s Independent Greyhound of the Year award. The first was the top staying bitch Pure Marvellous, the second was with Eye Em Up who later ran licensed reaching the Steel City Cup Final.
Less well known is that their prolific sprint winner on the flaps, Typhoon (aka Raceline Claire), later threw English Derby winner Allen Gift.
Ernie is now in his 90s, but is still actively involved in the kennel.
Son Mark said: “We bought Travel from Mossie O’Connor in Ireland. Mossie is known to be a bit shrewd which puts a few people off. Let’s face it, he is a legend in his own right. But he was great to deal with.
“He had some decent form at Tralee, but you would have to see that he is one of those who slipped through the net. We only have two dogs and don’t have the budget for the expensive dogs so you need that bit of luck.
“There is a long gap between getting these special dogs and we are loving every minute of it. To see the likes of Rab (McNair) was like the old days on the flaps. It was fabulous.”
There were a number of DNFs and KO’s among the six heats though Mark has no issues with the track.
He said: “It is what happens when you get so many fast dogs drawn together and very few wide runners. Just look at all the 3.40s splits. Something has to give.
“I’m happy enough with the draw for the semis. I’m a bit worried about the early pace of the six, and the one is a very fast dog. But we are just loving being part of it and hope it keeps going.”
