FUTURE OPENS AT THE ZOO…
First off in my opinion in order for Belle Vue to attract trainers from around the country they have to up the prize-money on offer.
Minor one off opens are all well and good but the track needs to bring back the MANCHESTER PUPPY CUP, GORTON CUP and the COCK O’THE NORTH competitions for starters.
The Belle Vue Racing Manager states in the Greyhound Star article states “he sees no long term problem”
Well let’s see you make a success of these Thursday evening RPGTV meetings sooner rather than later it would not be a bad idea if the general public were told that we race now 5 times a week at the ZOO for starters.
The sooner the GRA/BV Management get some money spent on advertising greyhound racing at the ZOO in the local papers and radio the better.
Also why are the opens not advertised in the weekly race cards / a notice board at the track and also on the Love The Dogs website Belle Vue Owners page?
OVER TO YOU NOW MR BRAYSHAW…
Regards James Rowley
Belle Vue Owners Forum
In response to Mr Rowley’s letter, in the first part I would be happy to stage a much larger number of open race competitions. But as everyone is aware, finding sponsors for these events has never been more difficult, particularly for the non-SKY events.
As far as advertising the opens is concerned, all trainers receive the GBGB Calendar so I don’t think it necessary to advertise them elsewhere.
As far as the prize money is concerned, we are in line with of the tracks that we are competing against for open race runners. With the exception of last week, when we were competing against the Lol Jones Memorial meeting, all our opens fill. This week we have Elaine Parker, Jimmy Wright and Pat Rosney who all have ample opportunity to race elsewhere if they don’t think our prize money is adequate.
As far as marketing is concerned, this really isn’t my area of responsibility. However, I am aware that the marketing people are already planning a push to increase Thursday attendances as soon as we are through this traditional very slow time of the year.
Dave Brayshaw
IN PRAISE OF THE HEATONS
I would like to take this opportunity to bring to the attention to readers of the Greyhound Star two people who are doing a fantastic job in bringing new people to the sport of greyhound racing
Bev and Dave Heaton run a scheme where by any person can get a 40% share in a greyhound
The dogs are sourced from Ireland by Dave and trained by Bev who is attached to Belle Vue greyhound stadium Manchester she has been top trainer at the track for many years in fact she was top in 2016
The majority of the greyhounds are pups when bought and of good quality and any of these can be bought for 40% of the price Dave has paid and this would be a one off payment with nothing else to pay for the dogs racing career
One other great thing is that if you get your share in the greyhound before it is registered or graded at Belle Vue you can go down as the owner of the dog which I know is a great feeling when you are at the track and your name is called out over the tannoy when the dogs are being introduced and this at no extra cost
People may come to the assumption that the dogs would be of low quality with everything you get for just 40% but this is far from the truth
I have always been interested in Greyhound racing but thought I could never own one because of the cost involved but then I discovered Dave and Bevs scheme when I was looking at dog syndicates on the internet that was back in August 2015 which is also the month of my birthday so I decided to treat myself to a 40% share one of the bestt things I have ever did I now have four greyhounds.
The first greyhound I became a part owner of was a beautiful fawn bitch named Sarasota Daisy who graded A4 470 metres and has won A4 and A5 she also Graded S1 590metres and to top it off she won me a fantastic vase and jacket when she won a inter-track trial at Kinsley beating a hot pot Swift Perth
Daisy then went to Sunderland for there inter-track heat but she sadly got a very bad injury which many people told me would end her career but through their love and dedication to the well being and health of the dogs in there care Bev and the team got her back on track where she has had success in A4 A5 and S4
My second dog Kilahagan Impact graded S1 590 metres and won in S2 he also ran in A1 470 metres winning A3 in 27.99 Belle Vue were good enough to put him in there inter-track team 2016 when the team ran at Sunderland my home town
My third, Ballymac Walter, a stunning brindled son of Vans escalade has through Bev Heaton and the Kersal Kennel teams hard work has made his way through the grades to reach and win in A1
Walter got a injury the back end of 2016 but he managed to gain 12 victories from 33 runs he is hopefully on his way back
My fourth purchase a young bitch named Cul Camper who graded A6 but had a fall only on her second run and is slowly but surely making her way back with the care and love and kindness from all at Kersal Kennels
These dogs you must agree are not of low quality and all from the 40% scheme
One last thing which many will find difficult to believe is that if any of the dogs you own reach a standard where by a third party wish to purchase your dog Dave will ask for your opinion. If you tell him you do not want to sell he does not sell even though you are only the minority shareholder. I know this as a fact because Dave got offered a substantial amount of money for my dog Ballymac Walter which would have given me a fair profit on my outlay, but I did not want to sell and he was not sold
Another two dogs that were from the 40% scheme Ballymac Zara and Ballymac Jack were sold on and are running and winning open races.
John Whiteley
