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Dog Tales: Paul Lawrence

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Paul Lawrence, partner of Lorraine Sams - the trainer of St Leger winner Spiridon Louis - gives us chapter and verse on the game...

Describe your role within the greyhound world...

I have been a freelance broadcaster and greyhound commentator for the last seven years. Prior to that I was Racing Manager at Crayford Stadium. I am an owner at Romford and have owned dogs on and off for over 25 years. I punt semi-professionally as well at Romford and more recently Nottingham. I also help out at my partner Lorraine Sams' kennels and go Open racing two or three times a week. Basically, I live and breathe greyhounds!

How did you get into the sport?

I got the greyhound racing bug at Romford when I first moved down to Essex in 1980 and went to the track with some mates from College. I bought a dog with a couple of other lads that I worked with in 1981. We couldn't get a win with him in an A6 at Romford and eventually we moved him to a small trainer called George Talmage - he ended up winning Opens at Southend, Rye House and contested some big competitions. That gave me a good insight into the sport initially. I went to Rye House quite a lot and ended up as a Crayford regular when they opened their new track some 25 years ago.

What has been your proudest moment?

Commentating on the first ever greyhound race to be staged at the Cheltenham NH Festival - and organising the whole event too! It was quite an achievement at such a prestigious event.

Also, winning three maidens with a bitch I owned called Boundless. Dave Mullins trained her for me originally and he got the ball rolling when she won at Henlow over 550m. Then Lorraine got her to win a maiden 592m at Harlow. The icing on the cake was when she won at Mildenhall over 700m. I remember screaming her home, having had a lumpy bet that night shouting: "Go on giirl, you know you stay!" I had an idea she would stay that far, but I didn't really know - I don't know whether I was trying to convince her, the bookmakers or myself. Needless to say, I had a sore throat that night!

...and your lowest?

Probably as a racing manager, when a dog seriously hurts itself. Also, when gobarkingmad (Global Greyhound Chanel on Sky) closed down. This was my breakthrough into broadcasting and I just loved working every minute of it, especially the Australian racing. It was a sad day when it closed down.

Greyhound racing is better than horseracing because...

To me, greyhounds have more character than horses. I get very attached to the dogs and get a great sense of achievement when one of ours wins. Greyhounds are graceful animals with great attributes and you can really bond with a dog.

What are the three most important factors to consider before backing a dog?

1. Early Pace

2. Getting a clear run

3. Open to improvement.

I tend to place most importance on early pace and getting to the front early. A lot of people get confused with fast starters and ealy pace and are misled by sectionals taken at the winning line first time. It's the pace into the first bend that is most important in order to get a clear run at the corner and lead. Obviously, you need a dog to stay in front, but it's half the job to get to the lead in the first place. Your dog needs to get a clear run, so you need to know what the opposition is going to do - understanding the the implications of the trap draw and make up of the race is quite important. I pefer to back younger or unexposed types that are open to improvement ... they have to have a bit of speed as well!

What must the sport do to attract more investment and interest from Joe Public?

The sport must make stadiums more attractive; many tracks are old-fashioned and run down. Greyhound racing is competing in the leisure industry and to do that successfully, stadiums need to change in appearance. Pubs and restaurants constantly have re-furbs and promotions. Most greyhound tracks are run down and have a sad and tired appearance. Facilities need to be modernised and constantly up-dated in order encourage people to come back.

The quality of food needs to be improved, so many tracks just churn out out the burgers and chips combo, but people can go to McDonalds for that! The great attraction is the racing, competition and excitement - that needs to be promoted. Jackpots and big returns for small stakes will also attract people. Communicating that awareness is also key. Staff need to be given proper training. There are so many things that can be done, but I haven't got enough time to write it all down.

Who is the best trainer around at the moment? And who is the greatest ever?

I have been very impressed with the Sam Poots set-up and his team of Darren Keefe and Graham Coles has been greatly rewarded with planty of success recently. The kennels are clean and tidy and the they only have a small number of dogs to contentrate on. That Lorraine Sams isn't too bad either!

The greatest ever would probably have to be Nick Savva. He has turned out top-class greyhounds to win major competitions for years and years.

Who is your best mate within greyhound racing and why?

I would have to that my partner Lorraine Sams is my best mate, because we do so much together when it comes to greyhound racing. We walk and gallop the dogs together, travel and handle the dogs at tracks up and down the country together. She is so caring, very thorough when it comes to greyhounds. She has plenty of experience, but she is often lacking in confidence and likes to get a second opinion from me to make sure she is doing the right thing, especially when entering dogs for races.

Which is your favourite-ever dog?

That's a tough one. I have plenty of favourite dogs, especially after they have just won!

The best dogs i have seen would be Brett Lee, Premier Fantasy, Westmead Hawk and more recently Barnfield On Air.

I guess as a favourite it would have to be Spiridon Louis, he is a dog of tremendous ability and it has given Lorraine and me great pleasure to work him out and get the best out of him - and there's more to come!

The favourite dogs that I have owned would have to be Blue Sunrise and Sams A Pineapple. Two greyhounds that were plagued by injuries but came back to win races for us. They were both only A2/3 graders, but had plenty of early pace and an extaordinary will to win. They were both strong powerful dogs with so much character, there was always a battle of wills. Sammy has been found a home, but I still have Bluey at the kennels.

Which is your favourite track?

I would have to say Hove. Nice gallop for dogs, good facilities and run by nice people. I also happen to think that Crayford is a well-run Stadium and I have some good memories there, although you would never see a Derby winner racing at the track. In the old days I would have said Romford, but unfortunately, despite being owned by the same organisation as Hove, it has sadly gone downhill at a rapid rate of knots in the last 2 or 3 years.

What one piece of advice would you give someone starting out in the industry?

ENJOY IT!

Do you ever read the Betfair forum?

Yes. I like to hear other peoples' opinions as long as they have structure and are not just abusive.

And finally give us a tip for next year's Derby...

Barnfield On Air - not very original, i know, but this is a seriously fast dog. He has early, middle and stays; and i don't think he has stopped improving yet.