“It is absolutely brilliant. Really, in the 20 years, off and on, that I have been racing here, this track has never been anywhere near this quality. I cannot praise it enough.”

Tony Collett can do a dog. In greyhound terms, he also ‘knows the time of day’. But just as important, you will get his honest opinion, pretty much whether you like it or not – writes Floyd Amphlett.

So who better to ask for their views on the £500K track refurbishment at Central Park than the 2022 leading graded trainer?

Tony said: “It is a hundred percent. The circuit itself hasn’t changed but they have put a new outside rail in at the third bend. Visually it has the optical illusion of making the track look slightly tighter. But it has actually had the effect of the dogs running the bend better.”

“If there is just one way for it improve, it would be for the surface to bed in a bit more. Whereas before it used to flood, now they can barely get enough water on it. But that is inevitable with a new circuit. It is probably running between -20 to -40 for the standard.

“What we really need is a few days of sustained heavy downpours, when unfortunately, we’ve only really had a few showers. By the time the Kent Derby is here it will be fabulous.”

But it isn’t just the racing surface that has improved. . .

Tony added “I don’t suck up to anyone. I’ll tell it as it is. But the new guy (Daniel Rankin) has made a big difference. He is an old fashioned kind of racing manager. He’s listen to your opinion, and will give a bit back if he doesn’t agree, but I like that.

“One of the big pluses has been that he will downgrade a dog after six races if it hasn’t won, or less than that if he thinks it merits it. There is also less messing around with the going alllowances.

“There generally seems to be positive attitude in the stadium. At most tracks you hear about young track staff doing the track without any experience or enthusiasm. That certainly isn’t the case here. The lads seem well led and are really putting the graft in.

“To be honest, I was so fed up this time last year that I was thinking about retiring. I’m now so glad that I didn’t.”

 

In the meantime the Ash based handler is looking forward to the semi finals of the Sussex Cup where he will be represented by the recently purchased King Stevens.

The home bred was originally placed with Collett by Rab McNair to gain some graded experience and find out whether the dog was up to the open class standard of the KSS Syndicate.

After switching to four bends, the fawn had seemed like an A1/minor open racer with two wins in 17 outings. A very reasonable price was agreed as the trainer bought the dog himself.

Since then, Stevens has found a new lease of life. In early June, he beat King Ezra by a neck in a Central Park Cat 3 final to knock £500 off the purchase price. He then beat Havana Top Note by a short head at Hove. On Saturday, Stevens turned over defending champ Ninja Kerry in the first round of the Sussex Cup.

Given Mr McNair’s delight in winding up his fellow trainers, there have been a few queueing up to give him a bit back.

Tony chuckled: “You should have heard him after Saturday night.

‘What did you say Tony’ ‘He is a bad kenneler and he won’t stay!’ He was in the last race on Saturday night and you would have to bang a feed bowl on the front of the kennel to wake him up. And the way he is running on, you’d have to fancy him for next year’s f******* Dorando!”