“When you have six railers in a race, you either want one or six. Middle is a disaster. So no I wasn’t too unhappy with the draw for the final. My biggest worry is that he would move across on the run up and find trouble like he has done in the past.”
Patrick Janssens was visiting family in Belgium over the weekend and the preparation for Coolavanny Shado in the Ladbrokes Winter Derby was left to Ria Tillett and Jamie McGee. And it is fair to say that they made a pretty good job of it.
Patrick said: “Shado is more mature now and hopefully will be more consistent. I have never doubted his ability, or his devastating middle place. He just needed to be more mature and hopefully he has grown up. He is really a 480 dog, and his next major event will be the Laurels. As for the Derby, you know if he misses his break he will be gone, but you would have to give it a go.”
Before then, Shado will take his place in the team for the Premier Greyhound Racing Judgement Night at Perry Barr on April 6. So what is the full line-up?
Patrick said: “For the sprint I will have Hawkfield Mia. That bitch has so much class, and without getting carried away, I think she is the one they all have to beat at Romford (in the Golden Sprint). In my view, that 400 isn’t a race for pure sprinters. To win it, you have to be capable of doing 3.50s splits, and she is doing that.
“For the bitch’s race we will have Fabulous Azurra. She has been in season but clocked 15.29 in her first trial back at Monmore on Saturday which was a fabulous run. Coolavanny Shado is obviously the standard selection. We will have Noelles Perfetto for the stayers. She did 37.90 in her trial at Monmore the other night; I think she could be very good.
“Droopys Pointer (28.49 Monmore) will be kept back for the maiden and Slick Saratoga will go in the puppy race. He is in the Puppy Derby at Monmore at the moment and is progressing with every race.”
As plans currently stand, Saratoga, Azurra, and Shado will be joined by Deelish Frankie, Romeo Top Gun and Lautaro as part of the Team Janssens for the Star Sports Greyhound Derby. But the number one string is the dog due to contest the British Breeders Stakes at Nottingham tonight, Romeo Command.
Patrick said: “He might be a fraction short of early, but he has so much class and his pace along the backstraight is incredible. In my view, he is capable of a 28.70 at Towcester.”
After seeing neither of his outstanding bitches receive a gong at the recent GBGB Annual Awards, Patrick has vowed to boycott all future events.
He said: “I’m pretty pissed off with it to be honest. The first point I should make is that my views are no reflection on Coolavanny Aunty, who is a fabulous bitch. What really irritates me is the awards for distances that are nowhere near as competitive as middle distance.
“That night be sprints, hurdles, marathons or even stayers. If you have a 36 runner competition, probably 30 of them are graded. The real competition is over the middle distance. Slick Sakina went unbeaten through the Oaks and Eclipse and broke the Perry Barr track record. She even went to Shelbourne and beat the best bitches in Ireland and has nothing to show for it in terms of awards. That can’t be right.”
Winter Derby winner Coolavanny Shado with his training duo Ria Tillett and Jamie McGee (Patrick Janssens away at present)
Monmore 4th March 2023
Photo: © Steve Nash
