With 10 ‘Category One’ and four ‘Cat Two’ finals before the end of the year, Patrick Janssens has no plans to ease off his lead in the Trainers Championship which currently stands at 100 points.
In fact, in addition to preparing teams for four of the major events, the Norfolk based handler is already rebuilding his open race team for 2021.
He said: “The races I have in mind are the Kent Derby, the Olympic, the Puppy Derby and the Essex Vase.
“For Central Park, we will be looking at Lenson Whelan, Kilara Lion, Goldies Ginoa and Seaglass Tiger. With a couple of other possibles.
“For the Olympic, hopefully it will be Bockos Doomie, who looks okay but is being checked out on Monday, and Kilara Lion. For the Essex Vase, its pretty much the Gold Collar group: Desperado Dan, Seaglass Smokey, View King and Doolin Princess.”
But there is no disguising Patrick’s excitement as he unveils his team for the Star Sports Puppy Derby at Towcester.
He said: “We’ve moved on quite a few of the kennel in the last week or so including Lenson Austin, Goldies Nayim, Goldier Lineker and Seaglass Sailor and we have a really exciting group of young dogs ready for next year. In fact, a lot of them would also be available for the Monmore Puppy Derby.”
If Patrick is any sort of judge – and he is – then punters might want to look out for the brightest of all the prospects, Bockos Belly.
A son of Kinloch Brae out of the brilliant former Irish open race bitch Yahoo Perlena, the 34 kilo brindle has two races, two wins in Ireland in the first two rounds of the Kasco Unraced at Thurles, the latter in a calculated 28.66.
Patrick said: “I watched the video and couldn’t believe the pace of the dog. His power from the second bend was awesome.
“I phoned Graham (Box) and told him to check the dog out, and he was able to do a deal with Noel Heir. Belly has had two sprints at Central Park and a 480 where he did 28.86 (calc). We have had a bit of sickness in the kennel since, but he is definitely lined up for Towcester which should really suit him.
“In my view the dog is an absolute flying machine. He was beating far older dogs at Thurles and I think he looks a great prospect. I will also be entering Bockos Melody. She is an April ’19 by Droopys Sydney out of Ballymac Razl and broke 29.00 (calc) at Central Park in her second race. She is 32 kilo and a looks a bit like a dog, but I like everything about her. She has early, middle and stays.
“Then there is Derby Loch, a 28.70 dog at Limerick who is still to qualify and Puff The Tiger who did 17.05 in his first look at Central Park, plus Perrys Blue Eyed Boy who has worked his way through the card at Central Park.”
Romford regulars will have seen another member of the Janssens 2021 team on Friday night as Bockos Jon Jo clocked a flying 23.53 for 400 metres.
Patrick said: “We ran him in the Maiden Derby at Henlow but he really didn’t take to the track, particularly that third bend. But I knew he was capable of a fast run.
“Unlike the others, he is more of an early paced type, possibly up to 480 metres somewhere like Monmore, or a Yarmouth 462. The problem at the moment is finding open races for these dogs. With so few minor opens it is causing big problems.”
One name who just might make a surprise return to racing is Affleck Lady, who will be five years old in January.
Patrick said: “I took her home as a house pet, but she is still full of herself and would love to be racing. In the longer term we will definitely have a litter off her, but before then I am very tempted by the British Bred Leger at Central Park. I might give her a trial in the next week or so.”
