Towcester boss Kevin Ackerman was thrilled with Tuesday night’s Colossue Bets TV Trophy and is hoping the track can secure the rights to stage the Laurels and Oaks writes Floyd Amphlett
He said: “I have said on many occasions that Towcester lends itself to the big occasions and the evening was a huge success. I am not such an aficionado of greyhound racing but really enjoy the longer distance events.
“I understand that Belle Vue are not guaranteeing to run the Oaks and Laurels unless they get a sponsor. But I can state, having spoken to Lord Hesketh, that we would be honoured to be able to stage both events if they were to become available. It is vital that such important competitions should not be lost to the sport.”
Diane Henry’s post race interview was one of the highlights of the televised TV Trophy broadcast (see link in previous piece) .
Clearly delighted at her second TV Trophy win in three years, Diane Henry chats to Sky TV’s Darrell Williams as Borna Mindy gets her drink. Towcester 3rd August 2016. Photo: Steve Nash
She was clearly delighted with the result but was concise and measured in her praise for both Borna Mindy and the connections who had trusted her with this fine open racer. Speaking the next morning though, she admitted how much the whole event had taken out of her.
She said: “I am absolutely shattered. I have no idea what time I got home but the whole thing goes back six or eight months when we realised that we potentially had a potential little star on our hands. I have a sore throat from shouting.
“I felt quite confident on the night, and that isn’t always the case. I was actually very calm before the race and so was Mindy. I was looking at all the runners on parade and she seemed the most alert.
“I haven’t made too many plans going forward with the exception of the St.Leger. I think Mindy is one of the best stayers in the country and the plan is to take her to Wimbledon.
“I would also like to thank Towcester for putting on such a great night. Their hospitality is the best and set the standard for others to follow.”
Among the winning owners on the supporting card was Ron Mills. Racing’s best know physio has half shares in Bang On Giles with Phil Simmonds and Ron tipped the dog to whoever was interested before the race.
He said: “When they were younger, Giles was faster than his brother (Castell Henry) but he just went wrong. He lost weight and condition and it has taken ages to get him right. You will see a different dog tonight.”
So it proved when he gave Calco Flyer a start and a beating in the supporting 480. And after the race?
“I only had £100 on” said Ron, “ I am not a big gambler. Besides when you have backed your dog (Salad Dodger) to win the Derby at 150-1 and 100-1, its hard to find any value.”
Patrick Janssens was very bullish about Slick Sebastian in the 655m open and was confident that he could beat the favourite Meadow, who he also knew quite well – he had bred her. He was right.
SLICK SEBASTIAN wins the Stayers.
Photo: Steve Nash
He said: “She is very fast but she has never been around the track and as good a track as it is, dogs can feel a bit lost first time around. It is great to see her though. She was the tiniest little pup when they were born and has turned out really well. I have just had a repeat mating.
“There was actually another dog in the litter (which includes open winners Badabing and Whatugonnado) and we were convinced that he was the fastest. At 16 months old he did 28.79 in his second qualifying trial at Towcester and then broke a wrist in four places in a solo trial at Romford. He now lives as a pet.”
Champion trainer Mark Wallis missed out in the big race with Ribble Atom but still landed a treble with Swift Whirlwind, the exciting Rubys Rascal, in a flying 39.50 (655m calc) and Deanridge Angel who produced the performance of her career to date to beat kennelmate Airforce Duchess (4-5f) in 29.66 for the 500m.
It was a welcome return to form for a bitch who had been off the boil for a while.
Wallis said: “She won on Saturday too. A couple of weeks ago I decided to take a chance and take her off suppressants which might have taken the edge off her and she looks a different bitch since. I am just hoping that she doesn’t come into season before the Lowther Stakes.”
There are no known backers of the night’s biggest priced double the 9-1 and 33-1 Jean Liles trained winners Trapstyle Jet and Straight Edge. The Crayford handler particularly enjoys her visits to Towcester where she recently won the £5,000 trainer’s bonus competition.
33-1 shot STRAIGHT EDGE wins the hurdles to complete a huge double for Crayford’s Jean Liles
Photo: Steve Nash
Edge has really taken to jumping after ‘waiting’ in A2 at Newcastle and was contesting only his sixth hurdle race. Sprinter Trapstyle Jet was bred by Colin Creaighton who said: “We sent Jet to Matt Dartnall to race at Towcester but he developed a stress fracture so we had him home. It was only his second race back and he is a very good greyhound. I couldn’t believe his price after his win at Sheffield; presumably because we are not a high profile kennel.
“I don’t think anyone in the kennel had the double though a couple of the Cumbria lads backed the hurdler who was 50-1 earlier in the day. We will have to think about the Grand National with him now.”
One well known independent bookie was celebrating taking over a new betting shop earlier in the day. Things hadn’t gone quite to plan when a punter had £40 on a big priced accumulator and walked away with more the £40K.
Said layer took it on the chin but noted: “We might go another 30 years before we get another result like that. . . (gulp)”
