What an afternoon and evening is in store at Towcester racecourse today as those in attendance will be treated to a superb 14 race card consisting of 13 open races and the Region S Final of the Graders Derby. The centrepiece of the afternoon is without doubt the Stadium Bookmakers Empress Stakes Final which is one of the best bitches confined races we’ve had the pleasure to see in some time. The strength in depth to the bitch’s scene is as strong as we’ve had in some time and tracks are sure to reap the benefit of that by being showcased with some terrific events for the foreseeable future.
The afternoon gets underway at 1.57pm with the Spin To Win On Every Race Today At Towcester Maiden over 500m. Bazookas Bullet set tongues wagging back in June when winning his debut 0N2 race around Youghal in 2882 (-30) by fully 7 lengths. Despite being less than fluent at the start in that race he utilised his superior early pace to soon take command of a 4-runner affair and really open up throughout on his way to a comfortable success in what was easily the fastest time of the meeting. The Bruiser lads and the Jeal family have combined their buying power in recent times to purchase a number of nice types and this one looks another who will prove a very useful addition. Forget his 3 runs at Romford over the past few weeks that track wouldn’t be his forte at all however despite that he’s still run with credit. Those efforts will have sharpened him up nicely and his sprint trial here last week of 15.91 shows him in rude health whilst not exposing his quality over the four-bend trip. This is a more than winnable opportunity for a greyhound who connections will be hugely disappointed in if he’s not competing in competition class before too long and leaving maiden company way behind.
The TRC Events & Leisure Sprint at 2.12pm can go to Alison Kelly-Pilgrim’s Deanridge Smidge. A pacey son of Droopys Jet a sire renowned for producing early paced sorts he can follow up on last week’s 1580 success over course and distance. A level start should see him outpace his rivals to the turn and once in front he shouldn’t be for picking up.
Another TRC Events & Leisure Maiden over 500m at 2.32pm looks a race which could get congested up the middle of the track and both on that basis and on the fact that this is a step down in class for the John Mullins trained Romeo On Fire he’s selected to make just about all from his wide draw in trap 6. ‘Fire’ was eliminated at double figure odds from the first round of the M Lambe Construction Birmingham Cup behind Lee Field’s classy Adeles Duke a couple of weeks ago. If trapping level this is a good opportunity for a greyhound who kept good class company in his early days in Ireland and recorded 28.30 runs around Shelbourne on more than one occasion. Do keep stakes respectable as like I say it’s far from inconceivable that this race could become congested and if doing so could throw up a shock result that would please the bookmakers if nobody else.
The Property 192 Graders Derby – Region S – Final over 500m at 2.52pm. A well-meant competition and let me clarify that all sponsorship coming into the sport is greatly appreciated but the concept itself is flawed and will produce many lopsided races as a result. From a selection view point that’s not a bad thing as it will produce some solid short priced selections for those wanting to punt that way but it will also throw up plenty of ‘value’ alternatives for punters inclined to think that way too. So all good from a punters viewpoint but unfortunately when you’re the kennel hand taking 12 hours out of a day to head to a track many miles away with a greyhound who is trading at 50/1 plus on the machine in order to make the numbers up for runners with much better chances then the appeal of the competition might not seem so appetising and I know where the person travelling with the dog will tell you to stick your value. Alison Kelly-Pilgrim’s Deanridge Awesom is a regular on the open racing scene and dismantled his heat opposition with the minimum of fuss. He’s a talented greyhound who is of a level much superior to the level of greyhound that this competition was aimed at. On paper he’s well drawn to follow up his excellent 30.03 success from last week. There’s no real reason why he shouldn’t be in a handy pitch from the time they turn off the second bend at the latest before taking firm control by the third. There is a note of caution that he’s never won two consecutive races in a 47-race career to date however I’m siding with him to change that today in a race which he really should win.
A TRC Events & Leisure Sprint over 270m is next up at 3.11pm and John Mullins Ballymac Slapup couldn’t be in better form as he looks to complete a fiver timer. He was hugely impressive last time out when easily accounting for his rivals in the Greene King IPA Sprint Grand Final and there isn’t much to recommend taking him on today even if at the likely price he’ll be short enough. Anything like a level break and he’ll have too much for his rivals once again.
The TRC Events & Leisure Maiden Stayers over 712m at 3.28pm can go to Seamus Gaughan’s Native Polly who looks a good thing to oblige on what will be her first run over a trip for which she looks tailor made. Polly is far from devoid of four bend pace as a couple of sub 30 second efforts over the 500m trip here indicate both in trial and race company. A 4.18 split as well as a couple of 4.23 splits also indicate she can show up well from trap rise too and that sort of pace from what looks a plot rails draw should soon see her in command in a race that looks a perfect introduction to six bend company. Anthony Gifkins runners are often well bet and Capel Cyclone could well be another falling into that category. Cyclone all too often runs on too late in races over a variety of trips however so allow her to make the market for the unexposed selection.
Spin To Win £100 Free Bet With Bunny Bookmakers Maiden Stayers over 712m at 3.48pm. The Diane Henry trained and Kevin Boothby owned Savana Scrappy reached the final of the Juvenile Classic earlier this year and though well beaten on that occasion it highlights perfectly the ability that this greyhound has. Brookside Richie who won that final well has since gone on to prove himself a superstar of the sport and added the Romford Puppy Cup to his CV on Friday evening. Anything Scrappy did over four bends was always going to be a bonus and despite being eliminated from the St Leger at Perry Barr in the first round recently he is sure to more than pay his way over six bends in the coming months. This race rates an excellent opportunity for him to open his account over the trip and though supporters won’t get rich there isn’t really too much to consider opposing him with.
The TRC Events & Leisure Standard over 500m at 4.08pm and it looks a match between Diane Henry’s Savana Cody drawn in trap 1 and Mark Wallis’s Ballymac Gaybo in trap 5. Gaybo would look better drawn on paper he’s sure to get a run given anything like a level break. Cody though should have the beating of him granted that he comes away in his best style. The problem for Cody would be if he didn’t trap in his best style as he would likely have John Mullins Detroit looking to take his ground on the inside from the outset. It’s difficult to call and not a race for big stakes but I’ll side with Diane Henry’s charge to come away and land a quick-fire double for both herself and track promoter Kevin Boothby. Adding Gaybo to the bet for a straight forecast wouldn’t be a bad option to maximise returns.
The Spin To Win £100 Free Bet With BG Racing Stayers over 712m at 4.28pm. There wasn’t much between Roseville Eva , Loggies Primrose and Marcos Flash over course and distance last week and there isn’t likely to be again. Maybe side with Robert Emery’s ‘Eva’ who given a little more luck in the first half of the race shouldn’t be far away at the finish. Not a great race for punting in however with little to separate a few of these and unlikely to be much in the way of value around.
The main event of the afternoon The Stadium Bookmakers Empress Stakes Final over 500m at 4.48pm. A race to watch and savour from any purist’s point of view but for selection purposes I’m siding with the Angela Harrision trained and Alnwick Greyhound Group owned Coolavanny Aunty.
A superstar bitch who is a winner of 11 of her 18 career races to date. A semi-finalist earlier this year in the Juvenile Classic over course and distance she recently reached the final of the Puppy Classic at Nottingham. Showing battling qualities to come from behind in her heat ‘Aunty’ improved greatly on the clock when pinging out and making all in her semi-final in a superb 29.31.
The fact that ‘Aunty’ isn’t being noted as a dot on the card highlights perfectly the quality contained within this race. Bellmore Sally for trainer Jimmy Fenwick and owner Mr N R McGregor is a young bitch pup very much heading the right way. Already a winner of 4 of her 11 career starts ‘Sally’ was unlucky not to finish a little closer to the selection last week when finishing strongly in second. The youngest in the field by some way and definitely a bitch to keep on the right side of in the weeks and months ahead and herself also a finalist in the Puppy Classic at Nottingham recently.
Coolavanny Bani has been one of the stars of the bitch’s scene for some time and is a second representative for the Angela Harrison kennel this time in the ownership of Mr T Camsell , Mr R McLaughlin and Mr J Wright. ‘Bani’ gained the first category one success of her career when landing the Summer Stayers Final over 630m at Monmore last month. Despite being the kennel second string victory here would be of no surprise for a lady who oozes class.
Droopys Aoife for Gemma Evans and owned by Gaskin Greyhound Partners. What is there left to be said about this lady who despite having reached veteran status in July this year retains every ounce of her pace and class ? A dual Essex Vase Champion at her much-loved Romford ‘Aoife’ looks to add further category one success to her CV with victory here today.
Ballymac Trend trained by David Mullins has had a somewhat nomadic career so far having initially won the Oaks over course and distance when trained by Angie Kibble and latterly landing the Juvenile Classic for then trainer Kevin Boon having been purchased by then Oak’s sponsor Colin Davey. Trend couldn’t have been any more impressive when taking her heat and semi-final of this competition.
Last but by no means least Ritzy Lady for trainer Jim Reynolds and owned by Messrs McMahon , Reynolds , Taylor and Thompson. A hugely pacey lady with rapid early and middle pace that few can match. Very lightly raced and can only get stronger with running. Would be no surprise to see her lead up on the outside but all eyes would be on who turns second if doing so as no doubt that at this stage at least does find this tough four bends at the upper end of her stamina reservations. In very capable hands though and is sure to be winning plenty especially around Romford where her enthusiastic owners are sure to be having plenty of roar ups in the coming months. A final laced with quality from top to bottom but ‘Aunty’ to smash out and land the spoils.
Spin To Win £100 Free Bet With Coulton & Flowers Racing Stayers over 712m at 5.08pm. Peter Harnden’s superstar bitch Salacres Pippy who finished a gallant runner up in the 2020 St Leger is selected to ping out and make all as she continues on the road to peak form post season. The St Leger at Perry Barr this time around came just a little bit too soon for Pippy but the run was pleasing enough with the likes of Savana Eruption and Aayamza Royale only marginally in front of her at the finish despite a less than clear passage throughout. A trial over 500m here last week when stopping the clock in a super 29.62 (+20) shows that she’s on the way back to her best and though this race will yet again improve her she will take some stopping if breaking in her best style.
The TRC Events & Leisure Standard over 500m at 5.28pm. I’d be looking to back both Bryce Canyon for trainer Mark Wallis and the now Frank Gray trained Savana Domino at around the even money mark combined. Whichever of the two gets clear at the bend really should be winning. Wallis’s greyhound followed up A4 success here by landing his maiden over course and distance last week. Gray’s runner looked a winner waiting to happen here when in the care of Gary Griffith’s and he might just have been sharpened up nicely with a few runs at Romford in recent weeks. I’d be surprised if the winner came from beyond this pair and even money combined would rate a fair wager.
Spin To Win £100 Free Bet With PG Racing Stayers over 712m at 5.44pm. Nightingale Don doesn’t win as many as he should for John Mullins as a strike rate of 4 wins from 39 starts would indicate. He usually keeps decent company however and this line up would be inferior to many of the races in which he’s lined up. He has a decent make up here and shouldn’t fail to go close in what is a very winnable opportunity.
Last but by no means least the Spin To Win £1000 On The Towcester Wheel Standard over 500m at 6.02pm. Mark Wallis’s Drumcrow Brent really excels over a course and distance which really plays to his strengths. A quarter finalist in the English Derby here earlier this year and subsequently a winner of the Sussex Cup down at Hove he’s a classy sort who can send the punters over the Towcester Rocks Stage happy.
Artist’s The Feeling , Reef , Scouting For Girls and Hoosiers will keep the crowd entertained well into the evening and bring a close to what should be a fantastic day’s entertainment at what is without doubt the sports premier venue and a track of which we can all be proud.
