RPGTV GOLDEN CREST

By Kaan Hughes

The Golden Crest has a new sponsor when it takes centre stage at Poole on Tuesday evening. Racing Post Greyhound TV stepped in as part of their sponsor package this year for the feature at the track which gets the headlines in what looks yet another great renewal.

Inaugurated in 1937 back at Bristol it was ran their until near closure before Poole resurrected the competition in the millennium. Only one of the staging’s has featured over 640m the rest over the standard trip of 450m and has played host to some tremendous names with a new one looking to put their name on the trophy.

Poole has for many a year been growing ever stronger when attracting entries for their competitions and with the highest profile entry being none other than dual category one winner, former greyhound of the year ‘King Elvis’ heading the line-up it looks sure to prove how the track can cater for top class performers. Two other high profile entries include Oaks winner Ravenswood Flo and Bedfordshire Oaks winner Mustang Kay Cee.

Heat one gets underway at 19.36 and Down to the Felt in the stripes has been in great form behind some high class starts but without a win. His first look at the circuit proved to be a great sighter with a very good sectional. The obvious danger will come from the local runner Arthur Noodle who was runner up in the Nottingham puppy classic last year. She has been a real force for the lightly race daughter of Taylors Sky and with a rapid trial just over 10 days ago looks ready to feature. Ravenswood Flo has not run since winning the Oaks in December but has been stretching out in a batch of trials. Her time was not of the highest order but you can forgive her for the slight stumble, first look at the track and general fitness. She will improve a bundle and should play a part.

Heat two looks a good battle and local runner Ballymac Dress likes to dictate from the front and could do so with kennel companion in three slightly slow away. With two wins on her last two starts, the former is in great form heading into this. A trial last week with Millabbey Thelma saw her come out on top by a neck. The obvious danger comes from Droopys Alex in trap one with two very quick trials but they were solos and has been often met with trouble when seen at the Poole circuit in races. There is no doubting his ability and any sort of run would see him stretch this field. Qualifying is all they will want at this stage. Millabbey Thelma who was mentioned to the leading fancy in this race can be modest away but when she does get it right has a real run in her. She won a heat of the Oaks in December and a competition at Hove last year. A strong tracker who will be looking to secure her ticket to the next round.

Heat three is eye catching with Bedfordshire Oaks winner Mustang Kay Cee drawn in trap 1 with all the room to manoeuvre with the two in his trial Seaglass Sparky moving off on the run up. The trial for the former was a great first look on what was a slow track. The sectional suggests she will benefit this track and can only get stronger on that evidence. Snooty Mary in five for Kevin Hutton formerly known as Bit View Bridie produced a good first look at the track being only a spot slower than the pick. She edged in slightly and tired coming home but you must remember she had only ran under 48 hours before when winning a final at Romford. The track should be tailor made to her liking. Shoot the bolt for June Harvey in six is in great form when winning over the standard trip at Hove and then stepping up to 575 at Romford a few weeks ago. He wouldn’t be blessed with early but in a race where this is plenty of that and a few could come together I see him staying out of trouble and qualifying which is all you can ask for at this stage.

Heat four sees Bull Run Byte drawn two for last year’s winning trainer Kevin Hutton; and with a reserve now drawn inside her who has less early than the original, you couldn’t be more impressed with the first trial this bitch posted. It was one of the fastest trials to the third bend of all the crest hopefuls and still tired a little coming home when stopping the clock at 26.77. She has come back from seasonal rest and looks a completely different bitch. She looks sure to play a huge part in the event this year. Portmageewiseguy has been a revelation since joining Jason Heath at Hove when winning three of his four starts, He had a small set back but has come to Poole and gone well. You can see him improving still and will be another leading contender in this year’s event. Mottos Moon looks the other two qualify from this which another rapid first look being 26.79. His achilles heel can be his trapping but there is no doubting his speed in what is a tough affair.

Heat five sees Liz and Rab McNair make a rare appearance at Poole this year and if you thought they were coming for a trip to the seaside think again. King Elvis, one of the leading stars of the last 18 months will head this year’s line up after narrow defeat in the Kent Silver Salver on Sunday. He lacks a look around the circuit but he handled Yarmouth like a dream and I’m sure he will do so here. Fortunate to draw one of the weaker heats he should be able to feel his way around and ease in to the next round. Everything about the track and trip should suit him. The biggest danger is Ower Boy Bullet and the track may not be up his street and this may just be a warm up for bigger competitions down the line but there Is no doubting his ability and his trials from a forced lay off suggest he is ready to put up a big performance. Hitachi Wayne for Heather Dimmock also went very well in a trial but can put himself on the back foot early so will be doing his work from halfway but class may see him through.

Heat six looks set for June Harvey who looks to have a strong hand in this year’s event. Clash is one of the most underrated dogs on the open circuit. He is a regular winner and at many different circuits. Poole, he runs like a dream and went very close to the clock last year. He should be far too good for these here but remember he is another year older but the kennel certainly knows how to keep a dog in training producing runs of a young dog. Kilcree diamond a recent intake for local handler Rick Zamojski has been a nice recruit and a convincing winner at Henlow a few weeks ago shows the dog still has plenty of class and can play a big part. Mint Condition may grab the third spot as he has been mixing it with some big guns and running with respect.

One other open supports the card which is a 250m sprint and should go in the way of Lolas Champ who has a plot draw on the fence in Trap 1 with 5 railers and a middle seed.

ANTE POST

The event looks yet again a star-studded event with class throughout and I’m sure it will live up to that by the end of tomorrow evenings first round heats. I will have a round up after the first batch of heats and look forward to what is great sponsorship as ever from Racing Post Greyhound TV.

The picks ante post for me would see Elvis clearly at the head of the market but also a bigger priced dog in the shape of Bull Run Byte who just looks an exceptional prospect for connections.

You will get a better idea after the first round and the prices may sway but from what I have seen these two are my early selections.

Be lucky

Kaan