British Bred Maiden Derby is a poser
When the trap draws for most open race competitions are made, attention invariably falls on the established stars who are expected to head the ante post market. The BGBF British Bred Maiden Derby – which gets underway at Newcastle on Thursday – is altogether more complex.
For example, it features a small number of visiting hounds with long careers who are well exposed but seemingly good enough to take their chances, eg Fill The Till (48), Finborough Flyer (54) and Bang On Polly (29) to name but three. They are joined by some seasoned locals who are also trying their luck in open company.
But the greater interest is a group of young dogs who might be on the verge of big careers. Kevin Hutton has four in the mix including the 40 kilo Coppice Frank and the potentially exciting Rioja Bungle who clocked 28.81 in trials.
Phil Milner has a couple of progressive youngsters in Keefills Chase and Everest. Jill Sutherst has Wittons Myles and Witton Echo. Romeo Crossfire has been sent to Tom Heilbron, Romeo El Aguila has joined Craig Marston while the KSS Syndicate have entrusted Queen Joni’s sister Queen Ariana to Angela Harrison.
Last but not least, who won’t be intrigued to see how Untold Quetzal goes on his racing debut.
Towcester trials
Antigua Walt produced arguably the standout performance of the day at Towcester’s trial session today
Setbacks with the the traps saw trials delayed though the track though with only six days until the deadline for entries, a number of potential Star Sports/TRC Engllish Greyhound Derby hopefuls managed to gain some course experience.
Antigua Walt – who as Ballymac Walt – clocked 29.29 for Shelbourne’s 550 course last December, was only four spots off the fastest 270m sprint of the year with a 15.58, fastest of session sprint. Last year’s runner-up Romeo Command clocked 15.78 on his return from injury.
Over four bends, Undulation produced the only sub-29.00 run of the session, 28.83
An advertisement currently circulating on social media indicates that it will cost £14.99 to view the 2024 Greyhound Derby on pay-per-view TV
Sheffield RM Andrew Mascarenhas remains confident that the Time Greyhound Nutrition Three Steps To Victory will attain its full entry of 36 runners by lunchtime on Wednesday. With 24 hours to go, there were 19 entries for the 36 slots with a number of the big kennels still to phone through their entries having previous confirmed that they intend to do so. The 480m first round gets underway on Sunday.
Opens
Friday: Romford
