A week is a long time in greyhound racing. Just seven days after the tragedy and drama of the death of well loved greyhound Murrys Act, Sunderland enjoyed a night of redemption with a fine conclusion to the William Hill Festival.
With the exception of southerner Mark Wallis, the winners were shared among trainers from the three local tracks and none was more popular than the feature winner Arrodale Bruno, owned and trained by possibly the most popular North East dog man, to currently hold a licence . . .
“I can’t see him winning in all truth, but he’ll put it all in.”
Rita Williams (right) says a special thankyou to Jackie Teal, who sold Classic winner Allowdale Bruno “cheaply” to Rita and husband Harry so she could concentrate on her graded dogs!
Photo: © Steve Nash
Harry Williams, the owner and trainer of Arrowdale Bruno (Scolari Me Daddy-Noelles Primco, Apr 16), was less than confident when interviewed prior to the William Hill Classic Final.
On semi final form, the young blue had roughly five lengths to find on the Liz McNair fancied pair of King Turbo and King Elvis.
But the former A1 grader produced the run of his short career to dominate from traprise. With King Elvis almost two lengths slower to the sectional than in his semi final, the Greyhound of the Year found himself in second place with Bubbly Bluebird almost alongside going to the first bend.
The 10-1 shot Bruno went a couple clear along the backstraight but looked vulnerable as both Elvis and Bluebird reached his heels at the third bend.
They hampered each other leaving the result in the hands of the leader Bruno who held on by a comfortable two lengths in a career best 26.75 (+10). By means of comparison, King Turbo’s 26.71 (+10) was the fastest time of the competition.
ALLOWDALE BRUNO (t6) leads home Bubbly Bluebird (t4) in the William Hill Classic Final. Photo: © Steve Nash
The happy scene on the Sunderland podium as William Hill’s Steven White presents the Classic trophy to Rita and Harry Williams after Allowdale Bruno’s victory. Kennelhand Laura Wood (blue coat) who has worked for Harry for 16 years, holds the winner alongside the dog’s former trainer Jackie Teal. Photo: © Steve Nash
The only two runners who agreed to go forward to the final following the void semi final of the William Hill Grand Prix duly took first and second places in the decider.
As a spectacle, the decider was contested by three runners. Swift Hansel cracked away, pursued by Bombers Bullet and Donation.
Bullet checked when challenging at the first bend and lost at least three lengths. Donation went into second and then took the lead as they crossed the winning line for the first time. Swift Hansel checked between the bends and lost a place as the leader went four lengths clear along the backstraight.
Bombers Bullet (Droopys Cain-Headford Ho, Apr 15) made ground along the backstraight, but was still a length and a half adrift off the last bend.
But Heather Dimmock’s front runner was clearly at the end of her stamina range. Bombers Bullet and Swift Hansel drew closer on the run-in and the trio crossed the line together.
The verdict went to Bombers Bullet by a neck from Swift Hansel with Donation back in third. The winner’s time of 39.10 (+20) was the fastest of the competition.
Donation (t6) still holds the call at the fifth bend in the Grand Prix Final but Bombers Bullet (t4) is poised to produce a race winning finish. Photo: © Steve Nash
The Bruiser Boyz syndicate, with Billy Boyle holding the Grand Prix trophy, line up with Bombers Bullet and Mark Wallis. Photo: © Steve Nash
Grand Prix winner Bombers Bullet. (His ears are always like this!) Photo: © Steve Nash
The Puppy Plate was voided after King Como was KO’d at the first bend. Although Liz McNair’s pup appeared unhurt, he ran across the centre of the track and the hare was stopped in the interest of safety.
The Festival Flyer, won in the past by the likes of Jimmy Lollie, Daytime Flyer and Walshes Hill produced one of the night’s best buckles.
Newcastle track record holder Ballymac Sexton appeared on his way to victory after an electric start, but Gary Carmichael’s Moanteen Have (Laughil Blake-Fionas Star, Sep 16) came around the outside to get up by a head in 15.72 (+10) for the 261m.
Festival Flyer champ Moanteen Haye with Lee Easton, kennelhand to trainer Gary Carmichael. Photo: © Steve Nash
BRAMBLE MILBURN with owner/trainer STEVEN ANDERSON. Festival Standard winner. Photo: © Steve Nash
