Unfortunately we didn’t have anything good enough to defend Swift Hoffman’s Derby title this year but we will be there and I have really enjoyed following the event closely.
Looking at the final itself (9.24pm), I think the draw is made for
DROOPYS BUICK,
Photo: Steve Nash
Ballymac Matt in trap one. For me, the key to the race is the two, Leave At Dawn. I can see him turning right as he leaves the boxes and the four, Droopys Buick turning left. The meat in the sandwich could be Eden The Kid (T3). I have followed Droopys Buick’s career very closely since he ran against Camp Joker so often. He is a lovely greyhound but I am sure Jimmy (Wright) would have preferred a draw closer to the rail.
We have two in the supporting puppy final (8.34), Newinn Champ in red and Vatican Punch in blue which is how I wanted to see them drawn. On all known form, Champ has about five lengths to spare and I would expect him to go very close to winning it with Slippy Perry (T4) the obvious danger.
I think Champ has a long term future over six bends and he is a very exciting prospect. I have expected a bit more of Vatican Punch than she has shown to date but she hasn’t really thrived as well as I would like. She doesn’t seem to like the cold weather and we are trying to get a bit of weight on her, so hopefully best is yet to come. I don’t have a strong opinion on the 500m open (8.50mpm) but would probably look to Droopys Five (T1).
My three potential entries in the Brinkley Estates Champion Unraced are due to trial at Perry Barr before heading down to Hove.
They are Vatican Venice, Newinn Act and Blissful Scolari and it is Scolari who has probably impressed the most in trials to date. He clocked 16.24 in a sprint trial at Perry Barr and followed up with his first four bend trial in 28.31 (+10) when beating Burgess Oscar. He followed that up with a 28.53 (-20) run beating Newinn Act by four lengths.
Blissful Scolari is out of our own brood Little Flame who has just been mated to Swift Hoffman.
We have made various plans for Hoffman to travel over to Richard Culley in Ireland but he keeps getting matings which delays it. He has one booked in at the moment and if all goes to plan, he could be gone over the weekend.
It will be be good to see him get his chance at stud and we know that he will eventually return here one day.
