Open racing on a Sunday afternoon has really been taking off at Towcester with good crowds and good quality racing.
It’s great to see so many people of all ages enjoying themselves at the track, it’s something which has been sorely missed in the sport for so many years but the team at the track seem intent on bringing the good times back to the game. The is a ‘Reunion Celebrating the Max Power Automotive Era’ meeting of petrol heads at the Northamptonshire venue today and a number of those attending are getting involved by sponsoring some of the greyhound races.
This is exactly the type of joint venture initiative which has been lacking in the sport and it’s great to see. This afternoon we see a mixed 14 race card with eight opens and six graded affairs and below I take a look at the opens and hopefully find a winner or two along the way.
The afternoon kicks off with the Max Power Reunion Stakes over 500m at 1.57pm. The race looks a match up between Mark Wallis’s Black Eyed Molly drawn in red and Belinda Green’s Freeky Pumbaa drawn stripes. Belinda Green’s dog has plenty of pace but whether he is able to give a start and a beating to the Wallis bitch whilst also trying to navigate the track for the first time is debateable. Any kind of break from Molly and she should be in prime position heading down the back straight and rates a good bet to get the afternoon off to the best possible start.
It’s the Deutschtech Stakes over 500m at 2.12pm. Icaals The Beast is yet to win in 5 starts since switching from the kennel of Belinda Green to that of John Mullins but this is by far and away the best chance of victory he’s had since doing so. The Beast is inconsistent at the start but is capable of a break and if getting one today he’s absolutely plotted up on the rail to take command by the bend and quickly be away and gone.
The DJ Richie Don Stakes at 2.32pm can see John Mullins land a quickfire double with his Fatboyz Fury selected. A really talented greyhound whose last victory came when comfortably accounting for Madri Excepcional Cup heat opposition over course and distance in July in a top class 2959. With a little luck around the opening two bends he can get back to winning ways at what should be a fair price in a competitive race.
The Meguiars Stakes over 500m at 2.52pm and a really open affair in which each of the six runners can lay fair claims. Jim Hayton’s Kirabilly Kathy wouldn’t be the most prolific winner as a strike rate of 3 wins from 28 career starts would highlight. She does also lack a look around but that might actually be a positive rather than a negative for this bitch and she’s taken to smash out and make all over a course and distance which should play ideally to her strengths.
The Safe & Sound Maiden over 712m at 3.11pm and a tricky race to solve. A chance is taken on Peter Harnden’s Poker Princess to win at the first time of asking over a trip which on breeding lines at least should be within her compass. Princess ran out an impressive winner of an A5 here a few weeks ago when striding out nicely all the way to the pick-up and if coming away in her best style should go close in what has to be said isn’t the strongest of races on paper at least.
The Petrolheadonism.Club Stakes over 500m at 3.28pm. Chelms Tornado is yet to win in 7 starts for John Mullin’s since being purchased as top lot at the Greyhound Trader Doncaster sale. There is no doubting that Tornado is talented though the suspicion is a clear lead is needed for him to be seen at his best. Take a chance that he finds a smash break and gets on the skin and if doing so he shouldn’t be for picking up. He might be given most to do from Peter Harnden’s Borna Buck who has taken to Towcester like a duck to water and really put up some impressive performances around the track since his switch from Nottingham.
The first of two £500 to the winner finals at 3.48pm with the No1 Car Spotter Ladies Trophy Final over 500m. Gemma Evan’s Droopys Aoife ran well to win her heat last week on what was her first competitive start for a month and from an on paper at least poor draw out in trap 4. With that run under her belt and from a nice position in trap 2 this week with little in the way of early pace inside her she looks all set to run out a good winner albeit will be priced accordingly.
The D:class Automotive Race Maiden Stayers Final over 712m at 4.28pm and again worth £500 to the winner. Savana Stormzy for Diane Henry was slightly behind fellow heat winner Crashblingwallop on the clock last week but that was Stormzy’s first competitive run for 3 weeks and he’s highly likely to improve markedly upon that effort. Michelle Brown’s dog it has to be said could also find trouble in a two-dog match and though getting clear last week and running well he’s far from guaranteed to enjoy such a solo this time around in a race containing much more competition. He should make the market nicely for Stormzy who looks a good bet to end the day with a winner for open race punters.
