The Stadium Bookmakers Puppy Classic Final takes place at Nottingham Stadium this evening. The local bookmakers whose sponsorship is so valued consist of Steve Charlesworth and Mark Hill. They have a final to be proud of with a collection of pups who should all improve into fully fledged top class open race dogs, in the case of some they could and most likely should improve into becoming leading contenders for some of the sports major prizes over the next couple of years.
In trap 1 is Antigua Rum for champion trainer Mark Wallis. Rum spent the early part of his career competing in Ireland. An impressive winner of the first two races of his career, heat and semi final of an unraced competition around Cork, he was then beaten at short odds in the final after a tardy start. Off the card for a month after that final, he made an impressive reappearance when sauntering to a five length success in Limerick A2 company in a time of 28.53. Next stop was the Con & Annie Kirby Memorial around the same venue. A competition noted for producing top class pups year after year. Beaten into second place in each of the first two rounds, though finishing notably strongly, Rum was an impressive winner of his third round heat in 28.39 by five lengths. When you realise that he had Lenson Whelan and Ballymac Syd in behind him in second and third place respectively, you realise the quality of both this dog and the competition in which he was competing. Rum then went on to finish third in both his semi final and the final itself, winners of his respective races were subsequent English Derby finalist Ballymac Tas and Toolmaker Josie. Rum has won twice since arriving on UK soil, firstly in maiden open company at Hove and then in the first round of the Puppy Classic itself when beating and notably holding off Roxholme Dolly all the way to the pick up. This is a dog who in my opinion is destined for a top class career in the major six bend competitions.
Mark Wallis, trainer “It’s a great final full of future potential superstars, including hopefully our own Antigua Rum. It’s clear though even now that his destiny lies over extended distances. I hope I’m right in that as I think he could be one of the best stayers we have ever trained. He’ll need a few things to happen up front to win tonight’s final, but it’s certainly not impossible and I’m expecting a big run from our fella”. Betting 7-1
In trap 2 is Headford Ranger for Kevin Hutton. Ranger started his career off in the RPGTV Puppy Trophy here at Nottingham. He’d previously trialled very well around the venue, recording 29.85 (+20) in his final trial. That’s a top class time for a pup that would win a lot of opens at the track. Considering Ranger had never run a race at that point, he was obviously showing extreme promise. He finished third in his heat of the aforementioned puppy competition, with just two to qualify for the final though he was now off to pastures new. Beaten into second first time around Henlow by Droopys Cannon in a Puppy Derby Trial Stakes, he was to make no mistake when destroying his first round proper opponents by 3 1/2 lengths in 27.65 (normal). Ranger was to again suffer the worst possible fate in a semi final, finishing third in a three semi final competition is never easy to stomach. He was then off to Central Park for a 480m Puppy Open, despite missing the break and laying in last place early, he tore through the opposition to win impressively by 1 3/4 in 29.20 (-60). It was now all systems go for the Puppy Classic here at Nottingham. Finishing second in his first round heat behind Roxholme Dolly, he then put in one of the best puppy performances I can recall when back running non other than Ice On Fire. Fire had set a scorching pace up front however was collared close home by the power packed finish of Ranger who got up to score by a short head in 29.45 (+40). He then destroyed his semi final opposition by an ever extending 8 3/4 lengths in 29.57 (+30). This is a pup who looks sure to stay six bends with ease, but possesses four bend pace that will see him a danger to most dogs in the UK, he is an exciting prospect whichever route connections decide to take.
Kevin Hutton, trainer “We’re delighted to make the final with Ranger. We always felt this would be an ideal competition for him and we’re delighted to see him in such good form. His two runs to date have been faultless but it still looks a big ask to beat the favourite who I’m a big fan of. We’ve had a good week with him, he was particularly impressive in his work on Friday and he seems to be improving nicely”. Betting 7-2
In trap 3 is Ice On Fire for Jimmy Fenwick. A pup out of the very top drawer, his early pace is a sight to behold and will be the downfall of many top class rivals. Quite simply this dog is near on impossible to lead up with a level break. His initial trials at Newcastle of 29.10 (-20) and 2897 (normal), off 4.56 and 4.57 sectionals, highlighted perfectly this dogs potential. Fire scorched to a 28.53 (normal) debut success when accounting for Droopys Carat by 2 3/4 lengths in a puppy open. He then beat the same rival by a neck when competing at Sheffield, recording 27.81 (normal) over 480m despite not gaining the clear lead he craves. After a couple of weeks break it was then back to his home track Newcastle, beating Calzaghe Alfie by two lengths, recording an identical time as recorded on his debut of 2853 (normal). This time however he recorded a 4.48 sectional, simply electrifying. After running out a short odds victor of a Nottingham puppy open in mid June, recording a sectional track record of 4.86, Fire was sent off at short odds for his heat of the RPGTV Puppy Trophy on Derby semi final night. He made light work of the opposition and was installed as a strong odds on favourite for the final itself. Drawn wider than ideal out in trap 6, Fire missed his break, was involved in crowding around the opening two turns and eventually faded out of contention to finish in last place behind eventual winner Trickys Dumbo. Fire was then invited to take place in the RPGTV Select Stakes, however was yet again out of luck as he finished third, again behind the impressive Trickys Dumbo. Sights were then set on the Puppy Classic and he duly made no mistake in a trial stakes for the competition when destroying fellow finalist Antigua Rum by no shorter than 7 3/4 lengths. Though beaten in a photo finish in his first round heat, it was still a performance out of the top drawer, I think the future will tell that anything involved in close finish with either Ranger or Fire, will likely have put up a performance to be proud of. Fire then went on to win his semi final by three lengths from Waikiki Lad in 29.51 (+30). He comes into tonight’s final as a strong favourite and with a break is the greyhound they all have to beat.
Jimmy Fenwick, trainer “We’re all pleased that we’ve made the final. It’s a great field of top class pups that we’re up against. We’re hoping for a quick exit from trap 3 and if leading up he’ll have every chance”. Betting 4-5
In trap 4 is Waikiki Lad for Phil Simmonds. Lad demonstrated his potential when running out an impressive winner of his first two official Irish trials, firstly in 16.24 around Clonmel and then followed that up with 28.81 (+20) at Waterford. He was to leave even that promising form behind him though when running away with his first round heat of the Scolari Me Daddy @ stud Open Unraced at Waterford in 28.46 (+20) by seven lengths. That was to be his sole appearance in Ireland, next appearing on UK soil for trainer Simmonds and the team at Henlow. Lad was eliminated from the Henlow Puppy Derby at the first round stage, finishing fifth behind eventual winner Bockos Doomie. He was then beaten at short odds in a maiden at the track the following week. It was now off to Nottingham where a 30.17 (+20) trial was the precursor to a double figure 10/1 success in a Derby Final night puppy open at the track in 29.85 (+40). He took the notable scalp of Roxholme Dolly on this occasion and the UK public were beginning to see the same kind of promise that he’d shown over in Ireland. Lad has finished second in both heat and semi final of the Puppy Classic, running with credit on each occasion, he’d prefer a draw nearer to the rail, however he’s in good hands and it would be no surprise if he were to go very close tonight.
Nathan Hunt, assistant trainer “We’ve always thought highly of him and he’s starting to mature into a nice dog. I thought he ran a very good race behind Ice On Fire in last weeks semi final, though admittedly we’d hoped for a draw inside him this time around. If he can trap in his best style though and come away running you just never know, anything can happen. He showed the pace he possesses when beating Roxholme Dolly before the start of this competition. We enjoy our trips to Nottingham, the facilities and running surface are superb. We’re really looking forward to the final, there are six top class prospects in the field and they’re all there on merit and with chances”. Betting 20-1
In trap 5 is Salacres Magnier for Peter Harnden. Magnier, or Barnaby as he is known around the kennel, was purchased as a three month old pup by Peter and then brought immediately over to his Nottinghamshire kennels to be reared. The kennel have had great success with pups that they have both bred and reared or simply purchased young and reared on themselves. You simply only get out of greyhounds what you put in and it is clear to see that the pups bred and reared at the Salacres training centre are receiving the best of care and love that is seeing them go on to enjoy successful and extremely happy careers as racing athletes. Barnaby is far from the fastest pup in this field, he’s done well to reach the final and his connections are under no illusions about that. However he has heart and determination and will give it his all. A winner of 5 of his 18 career races to date at A4 to A2 level, it will take a performance far above and beyond anything he’s produced to date to even get close, this is greyhound racing though and you just never know. Regardless of the result tonight, connections will simply be feeling a sense of pride at seeing a home reared greyhound showing a love of life and reaching a category one final of the highest quality for the second year running. Last year saw Salacres Barley, similarly reared from three months old at Salacres kennels, finishing third, beaten in a photo finish after a much troubled run. Connections are obviously doing something right with their breeding and rearing programme and deserved success is surely just around the corner.
Peter Harnden, trainer “Last week was Barnaby’s final really. He’s done me proud and I’ve certainly made sure he’s received a few extra hugs above and beyond his normal quota this week, we had Barley reach the same final last year so this makes it two consecutive years that we’ve reached what is one of, it not the most prestigious puppy finals in the greyhound racing calendar. The best of luck to all six finalists tonight”. Betting 8-1
In trap 6 is Roxholme Dolly for Hayley Keightley. Dolly began her career around the tough Irish circuit of Mullingar. A much under rated track that produces many top class performers. Dolly’s potential was first spotted by trainers husband and assistant Mark Keightley. A keen student of the form book and a man with a good eye for a dog, it’s no fluke that greyhounds of the quality of Dolly turn up at the training facility of Team Keightley. After being beaten into second on her career debut, a heat of an unraced competition at Mullingar, Dolly then showed terrific guts and staying ability to come from behind in her semi final, winning by a head in a close finish in 30.17 (-70). The time wasn’t there yet but the promise most certainly was. Sent off at what now looks a huge 5/1 for the final, Dolly trapped much better and the result never looked in a moments worry as she beat Delvin Diva into second by 1 1/2 lengths in 29.56 (-70). Dolly was then off to Shelbourne for the Healthcare & Transport Services Oaks. Finishing fourth in her heat, a position seeing her qualify for the semi final. Dolly was then eliminated from the competition at the semi stage, again finishing fourth but far from disgraced, beaten just 2 3/4 lengths behind Ballymac Berry. Dolly then headed off for her new life here in the UK, initially at Sheffield where she finished second in heat and final of a maiden open competition and since has raced exclusively at Nottingham, a track that clearly plays well to her strengths. A winner of a maiden open here by 6 3/4 lengths in 29.74 (+30), Dolly has since added Puppy Classic Trial Stakes success to her cv with a five length beating of fellow finalist Headford Ranger in 29.56 (+40). Though beaten half a length by Antigua Rum in her first round heat, a race which saw a titanic battle between the pair, Dolly gained her revenge on that rival by comfortably accounting for him by four lengths in her semi final in 29.68 (+30). This bitch looks destined for a top class career over six bend trips, she possesses a good amount of early pace that looks sure to prove a potent weapon in that sphere. In the meantime though Dolly has business to take care of tonight, it won’t be easy but the sole representative in the final for the fairer sex will be no pushover.
Mark Keightley, assistant trainer “Dolly has produced a couple of fabulous performances thus far in a competition that has brought together some of the very best pups to a final very much worthy of its category one status. Albeit delighted to have made the final and with a genuine chance of winning it, I personally shall be relieved when it’s all over. I am chomping at the bit to step her up in trip and hopefully that will allow her, i’m sure, to fulfil her potential as a quality bitch. Monday’s final for us once again is about getting a good break and staying in the race at an early stage, we were unable to clear Peter Harnden’s dog Magnier the last time we met and should the same thing happen tonight, we could well be left with far too much to do from an early stage and may find it difficult to reel in the leaders. That said my main objective is to get a chance to win and if she does then she will give her all. Providing she comes home safely though, that as always, is my number one priority”. Betting 5-1
