Wicky scares the field to 30
A fabulous 28.45 run by the Neil McGregor owned, Jimmy Fenwick trained, Wicky Ned has sent the opposition running scared for Sunday’s first round of the Bresbet Gymcrack.
Sheffield Racing Manager Andrew Mascarenhas said: “We will have 30 runners instead of the planned 36 and I suspect most of that is down to Ned. Certainly one trainer, who had a couple of pups trial on Sunday told me, ‘I was going to enter but I can’t beat Wicky Ned’.”
The track are also planning to hold the local inquiry on the same day into the running of the 2.59pm race last Sunday when Annual Benefit (due to contest the 3.17 race) ran in place of Crystal Turtle.
Mascarenhas said: “It would be inappropriate for me to comment on the inquiry prior to it taking place. I would however like to clarify one point. Contrary to rumours on social media, I did not call the inquiry in response to social media.
“I was away on holiday and wasn’t made aware of the issue until 15.40. By the time I spoke to the racing office, they had already spoken to steward Pete Rosney and made him aware. I then also contacted Pete.”
Given the circumstances, it seems unlikely that the stadium will dispute any charge.
Time-ly intervention saves Juvenile
Time Greyhound Nutrition have stepped in to save ‘The Juvenile’, the invitation for six of the previous year’s outstanding puppies.
The £3,000 to winner one-off (£400 others) is scheduled to take place at Towcester next Sunday (Apr 14). To date there are seven entries: Clona Curly, Droopys Reserve, Faypoint Harvey, King Memphis, Newinn Syd, Romeo Crusade and Slick Sabo.
Towcester spokesman Billy Brennan said: “First of all a huge thanks to Willie Rigney on behalf of Time for stepping in at short notice. We are keeping the entries open until next Wednesday when the six runners will be selected.”
Awaiting the Irish maidens
Irish trainers Paul Hennessy and Graham Holland are expected to enter runners for the forthcoming £10,000 KAB Maiden Derby at Towcester.
RM Andy Lisemore said: “Kevin has four trialling on Thursday though Graham’s runners are likely to be entered without a run here.
“We have an enormous trial session due to take place on Sunday, so we will have an earlier kenneling time. It is normally held at around 1.15, but might be an hour earlier. We will keep trainers informed”
As a clarification of the rules, Irish entries cannot have won an AAO race in Ireland, but can have won in AO company. British trained dogs can have won AAO in Ireland but obviously cannot have won an open in Britain.
The first round takes place on April 14 and this will be the last time that the race is staged in the current format.
Lisemore said: “It was massively oversubscribed as a 48-runner event. Trying to select the runners, many of whom by definition have limited formlines, is going to be a nightmare. Apologies in advance to anyone who feels hard done by.
“I have spoken to Kevin (Boothby) and have decided that next year, we will operate as they used to with the Peterborough Derby, with qualification being determined on times over the course and distance.”
Opens
Thursday: Swindon
Friday: Oxford ♦ Romford ♦ Sunderland
Saturday: Hove ♦ Perry Barr ♦ Yarmouth
Sunday: Sheffield
