Betfair Star returns in trial at Hove

Betfair Star / Editor / 22 August 2008 / Leave a Comment

We're all looking forward to seeing Betfair Star back in action after a brief hiatus caused by a shoulder injury. Seamus Cahill is delighted at his progress and will run him at Hove on Saturday night.

Betfair Star takes his first step on the journey back to racing in a sprint trial over 285 metres at Hove on Saturday night. It will be the first visit to a racetrack for our dog since he sustained a torn shoulder muscle in only his third race in the UK at Walthamstow on July 8.

Trainer Seamus Cahill, now based at Hove following the closure of the Stow on Saturday, has been treating Betfair Star with ultrasonic therapy for the last month or so and he has been pleased with the progress made by the son of Aussie sire Head Bound.

Seamus said: "All seems to be well with him now and we can look forward to getting his career properly started after what has been a frustrating setback so early on.

"He has a decent Irish card (he was a 29.21 winner over 525 yards at Thurles) and looks a nice prospect. His sire, Head Bound, is getting so very decent dogs so that is something to be optimistic about.

"Betfair Star has had a couple of straight hand-gallops over 300 metres as part of his rehabilitation and seems to have gone well but we will get a better idea of his recovery when he goes round bends on Saturday."

The majority of greyhound injuries are sustained on the bends when extra pressure is applied to shoulders, hind-quarters, bones and joints. Very few greyhounds are injured when running in a straight ground.

When he gets back to full fitness, Betfair Star will be racing over 515 metres - the furthest he has ever been asked to travel and the standard distance at south coast track Hove.

The long straights and wide bends there are sure to suit his style, although his ability to see out the distance is at this stage unproven. It is interesting to note, though, that his dam, Shanteen Lass, raced over 600 and 700 yards in Ireland.