Tragedy stuck this morning with the death of Salacres Punch. Peter Harnden’s dog, had won the fastest semi final of the National Sprint (see below).
Nottingham director Nathan Corden said: “Apparently Punch was perfectly fine last night, but when he didn’t come to the kennel door this morning, Peter knew something wasn’t right. He and Mark (Pierrepont) took him immediately to the vet which was where he died a short time after arrival.
“I have spoken to Mark and both he and Peter are in bits. They had reared the dog from a puppy and can’t believe what has happened. It is believed that Punch succumbed to some fact acting form of pneumonia though they will know more after the autopsy with Richard Payne.”
** Following today’s post mortem, GBGB have confirmed that Salacres Punch succumbed to canine haemorrhagic pneumonia (CHP)
You could probably form a premise to suggest that if you drew up a list of the country’s ten top sprinters, at least five will feature in next Monday’s LPS National Sprint Final.
You might even argue that all bar Troy Bella have drawn their ideal traps.
Quickest on the clock in the semis and in the form of his life is the Irish bred, Keyworth reared and trained, Salacres Punch.
One of three 37 kilo plus finalists, Punch has half of the ten fastest times over course and distance this year, with his 17.54 win being six spots off his personal best.
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