More land Marks before retirement

Despite formally appointing son Daniel as his Assistant Trainer, Mark Wallis has no intention of handing over the reins at Imperial Kennels, just yet.

The serial champion trainer said: “I was keen to acknowledge Daniel’s effort and experience since he started working with the dogs. The plan has always been for him to take over one day, but there is no specific date in mind.”

Having landed the first Category One final of the year, and currently leading the trainers championship, the 59 year old has designs on a few personal landmarks.

The kennel is four away from a century of Cat One victories, though the first 16 (?) were won by mother in law Linda Jones. Whether Mark can manage three figures in his own right remains to be seen.

The Lakenheath based range are expected to go treble handed to Crayford in pursuit of win 97.

Mark said: “Coonough Crow (44.83) ran very well in her trialstake last week. I was also delighted with New Destiny and Ballymac Taylor in their trial. (Destiny beat her kennelmate two lengths in 44.89).

“Destiny is being seeded middle from now on. I think the rails seeding, and being drawn trap one, cost her her chance in the Essex Vase.

“Although Minnie Bullet made the final last year, she will be sticking to six bends, which she seems to prefer at this stage of her career, to take her chance in the Bussey Memorial

“We decided against putting Garfiney Blaze around Crayford. She is a big striding dog, and besides, there are plenty of other events lined up for him during the year including the Regency and the St.Leger”

Jess is retired

Crayford’s darling, the remarkable Laughil Jess, has been retired after finishing lame at Crayford on Saturday.

Trainer Dave Lee said: “She has a damaged ligament, and although we could bring her back, I wouldn’t do than just to win another couple of races. She is now retired and we will wait for her to come into season and have a litter from her.”

Jess’s win in the Ladbrokes Gold Collar will remain one of the greatest racing memories for Crayford regulars. It was her 17th consecutive win at Crayford, a sequence that would be extended to 20 before her eventual defeat.

Early bird Derby Final Night Offer 

Advance tickets for the English Greyhound Derby Final can be purchased at a discounted price of £25.00 (usual price £33.00) until March 16th.

Please click here to go directly to the ticket purchase section of the Towcester website. 

 

BALLYMAC TEAMS MEMORABLE CLONMEL TREBLE

Jane, Liam & Shane Dowling with Ballymac Callaway, Ballymac Sports and Ballymac Major (Photo Moss Joe Browne)

The 98th Clonmel National Coursing Meeting was lit up on Monday as Liam Dowling and his team from the famed Ballymac kennels landed a memorable Boylesports Derby, Horse & Jockey Hotel Oaks and Callaway Kennels Kevin Smith Champion Stakes treble courtesy of Ballymac Sports, Ballymaccallaway and Ballymac Major respectively.

The Derby had evaded Liam and the team until Monday but that statistic is no more. History was also made as Sports and Callaway (Boylesports Magic x Ballymac Amber – January 2022) became the first brother and sister pairing to land the Derby and Oaks double.

Son of Liam and a major part of the Ballymac success story Shane Dowling spoke to the Greyhound Star in the immediate aftermath of the teams success and his delight was clear –

Shane Dowling

Suffolk Downs have extended the deadline for entry to this Thursday’s opens until midday today (Tuesday).

They include:

  • The Suffolk Midi Trophy Competition (548m) 12 or 18 greyhounds
  • The Suffolk Bitches Trophy Competition (388m) 12 or 18 Bitches
  • 716m Maiden   –   220m Maiden   –   388m Standard

Forthcoming opens

Thursday: Hove –  Newcastle –  Swindon – Suffolk Downs

Friday: Nottingham – Romford

Saturday: Perry Barr