Greyhound Betting: Northern Puppy Derby

Derby Betting / Darrell Williams / 02 October 2008 / Leave a Comment

Won last year by Charlie Lister's top class Farloe Reason, Sunderland's Northern Puppy Derby gets underway with six first round heats on Saturday night, building up to the televised final a week next Thursday. Darrell Williams marks your card.

While a look at this year's field suggests the overall quality might be a touch down on recent renewals, in attracting Droopys Quinta the race has been blessed with a greyhound with the potential to go a very long way.

Thrown in at the deep end in the (Wimbledon) Puppy Derby when just 15 months old, she clocked an outstanding 2745 for the 460m, a feat she was unable to repeat when a fluffed break cost her any chance in the semi-final. Exceptionally fast when everything clicks, Seamus Cahill's bitch has proved a difficult greyhound to get right, with odds on defeats at Nottingham and Hove (twice) keeping the layers happy. However, her Romford form reads a lot sweeter with three wins last month culminating with an easy victory in a puppy competition last weekend. All of which suggests that Sunderland, like Romford a sharp circuit, should suit her admirably.

While the evidence of a local trial would further enhance my confidence, the facts clearly state that on her day Droopys Quinta is the fastest dog in the field and warrants inclusion in any antepost portfolio.

Durham based Ted Soppitt has twice provided the winner in the past three years, and has a lively candidate again in the form of Droopys Kez. A semi-finalist in the Manchester Puppy Cup, his preparation has gone well with two CD wins over the past fortnight, comfortably accounting for another leading ante post candidate in Crown Rover last time. That rival had earlier finished fifth in the Manchester competition and the pair clash again on Saturday in the 8.20 heat. Both have the form to reach the final, and Crown Rover should appreciate the wider draw this time, but 'Kez' has taken well to the Wearside circuit and is recommended both for the race and as an ante post selection.

Tommy Gentles has done well with the offspring of Unreal in the past and a handful of the latest litter, by Westmead Hawk, feature in the line up. It's too early to know if any will turn out to be top class, but on the evidence of Open race form at Pelaw Grange, plus a brace of fair trials, Unshakable has a lot to like about her, and should be backed in the 9.24 heat, while a small outright interest could prove to be a useful trading tool later.

We started with Charlie Lister and the great man fields a very interesting raw recruit in the shape of Officer Donagh (9.40). Raced just once in an Irish sprint at Tralee in July, his trials are only average, but I for one would rather have him on my side than in the lay column. Don't say you weren't warned!