We’ve had some horrendous journeys to Henlow but Thursday night’s seem too bad. The M1 was closed, the M6 was shut in two places and we didn’t roll in until 2am, but there were three winners in the back, so nobody was moaning.
AZZURRI GENESIS sports the RPGTV Puppy Derby jacket. Photo: Steve Nash
The highlight was obviously Azzurri Genesis’s win in the Henlow Puppy Derby and I was particularly delighted for owner Andy Parisi who is one of the kennel’s greatest supporters. We bought Genesis, who was called Swift Stewie, from Ian Greaves. He was unraced but he had trialled in 16.70 and 29.30 at Kilkenny and Ian rated him. Andy bought the dog on trust, though he has never looked less than a very good hound.
What I particularly love about him is his will to win. He is only little, around 30kg, but when he gets to that first bend, nothing will be braver. The winning time of 28.00 (-30) was ‘okay’ but he is a better dog than that. Apart from being a May pup and open to plenty of improvement, I think his size works against him on slow tracks. I think you will see an even better greyhound on fast tracks. We will give him a few weeks rest and then think toward the Monmore Puppy Derby.
Straight after Genesis we had Newinn Louis in the Henlow Mini Final. He only got home by two short heads but ran a cracking race. Like the rest of his litter, Louis needs to lead but with his early pace, that is quite achievable on most occasions. Louis might not be the kennel’s biggest star but he tried his heart out, again on going that wouldn’t suit him. I think he will be a better dog in the summer.
NEWINN LOUIS (t3) wins the Mini Final by two short heads from Savava Carla (t6 far side) and Edison (t5). Photo: Steve Nash
AZZURRI DINO coasts to an easy win in the Henlow Dash heats on a good night for Pat Rosney. Photo: Steve Nash
Our other winner, Azzurri Dino is back again on Sunday for the final of the sprint. As I said in the column a couple of weeks ago, I am expecting decent things of him again now he has turned the corner after losing his confidence. Until he was knocked over at Monmore, he had been running in very high class company, several times running close to Walshes Hill. You could tell that the K.O. had knocked his confidence on parade. He used to drag me onto the track and for a few runs became very timid on parade. But the old Dino is back, and I hope he can go well on Sunday.
We also have Fearsome Phantom in a ‘Cat 1 class’ Henlow St.Leger Final. Phantom was beaten in the heats, but he always runs better second time around. He had been around the track before, but it was six months ago and I wanted to trial him before the race. Unfortunately, that was the night that the meeting was cancelled so he had to go in ‘cold’. I think he has a fair chance in the final, with a clear run. He is a fast dog who has beaten Rubys Rascal and Thinkingofdarcy in recent SKY races. The plan would be to go for the Regency next and possibly even the TV Trophy. The problem is, there are so few marathons around and you don’t like to switch a dog back to six bends once it has started running over eight.
(Pat has promised to buy me a pint at Henlow on Sunday. Or maybe he meant all of us? See you there! Ed)
I would like to congratulate Hayley and Mark Keightley on what they achieved at Belle Vue this week. As trainers, we all know how much hard work goes into bringing dogs back from injury. It was a superb effort.
We were beaten in the Laurels with Charity Dragon but I have no complaints. He had only had ten races in his career and is one for the future. I really hope that Belle Vue continue with the Thursday night opens. They have been well supported and must surely have been popular with RPGTV viewers.
It was always going to be a tough year for the kennel after losing Swift Hoffman and Newinn Yolo. But I have no regrets. When you buy unproven dogs, you know they can’t all be stars. But for a kennel of our size, they represent the only chance that we will ever have of getting a champion. I would like to think that Genesis could be the first of many decent youngsters that we have in the kennel. In fact I am quite excited by the prospects for next year.
I wish the same was true of greyhound racing. I don’t think this industry has ever been at a lower ebb. There is a lack of enthusiasm, imagination and belief running through it.
The fact that only three tracks wanted to stage the Derby says something about the state we are in. Can you imagine what would happen if the track owners – I don’t call them promoters any more – were to be offered an extra BAGS meeting? They would be all over it.
