Wallis the chaser
Champion trainer Mark Wallis finds himself in an unusual position sitting some 45 points adrift of Liz McNair in the Trainers Championship race.
Like so many of his dogs over the years, he relies on his finishing, and the increasing volume of staying competitions later in the year. For now though, his first priority is the Coral Brighton Belle and he handles three of the semi finalists, up against the five KSS owned ladies.
The MWD challenge is headed by ante post favourite Crafty Shivoo who is trading at 6/4, with the next four in the betting all McNair trained runners. (The other MWD pair are 18/1 shot Minnie Bullet and 100/1 chance Rapido Lady).
Mark said: “Shivoo is absolute quality and has got better and better since coming back from injury and seasonal rest. I thought she ran a great trial and an even better heat on Saturday. I would prefer to see her closer to the rail (than trap three) in the semi finals, but the Hove traps are nicely spaced and the runners get more opportunity than at some other tracks.
“The long term aim is the Derby. I know that bitches seldom do well in it, but if ever I have had one to do it, she is the one. She has brilliant early pace and looked very strong over the 515m at Hove. She has never been beaten at Towcester, and with Rab’s bitches in there too, this might be the year for a female winner.”
Burridge Trophies
All things going to plan, Shivoo will be the kennel’s representative in the ‘bitch’ section of PGR Judgement Night at Hove on Saturday May 4. It is a competiton (Trainers Championship meeting) that he has already won four times.
Mark said: “I’ve had the team in mind for a while, at least subject to chance. It will be Quarteira in the sprint, Newinn Syd, probably over the 500 metres with (the 2023 Seasons Puppy Trophy winner) Ballymac John over the 515m. Garfiney Blaze will go in the stayers race and if he comes out of the Maiden Derby okay, Ranchers Wolf for the puppy division.”
The kennel’s other exciting intake Gun Slinger (28.42 -10 debut at Clonmel) will not be taking part having had a couple of setbacks since arriving at the kennel.
While the KSS Syndicate would realistically enter eight or nine for the Derby, the MWD team will probably comprise of Crafty Shivoo, and the two middle distance runners from Hove and Whyaye Man.
“That is probably it, though there is a possibility that New Destiny might be there. She finished lame with an Achiles problem in her last race. She has had more than the eight weeks recovery time and if all goes to plan, she might be back in time.”
Derby favourite King Memphis and litter brother King Sydney clocked identical sprint times in the Thursday evening trial session at Hove.
Yarmouth sale
Premier Greyhound Sales are expecting another healthy turn-out for their sale at Yarmouth next Thursday. Last year, 49 of the 52 lots were sold.Among the entries is probably the first Coolavanny Hoffa pup to be seen on a UK track, the Jan ’23 pup Droopys Natalie. Catalogue
Opens
Friday: Romford ♦ Sunderland
Saturday: Hove ♦ Oxford ♦ Perry Barr ♦ Yarmouth
