Gold Collar Betting: Three-handed Wright can lift the Crown

Events / Darrell Williams / 19 August 2009 / Leave a Comment

"Officially a ‘rookie’ handler, Wright has been involved in the game for many years, and could hardly have made a better initial impact with wins in the Cock O’ North with Hurleys Hero and Sunderland’s prestigious Grand Prix courtesy of Crown Rover, who along with East County make up his threesome here."

Trainer Frank Wright has three dogs in the Gold Collar final so he should win - but which of his trio will oblige? Darrell Williams has the answer...

Belle Vue serves up a fascinating Gold Collar final on Thursday evening - live on Sky Sports - with trainer Jimmy Wright holding the key with no fewer than three finalists. While officially a 'rookie' handler, Wright has been involved in the game for many years, and could hardly have made a better initial impact with wins in the Cock O' North with Hurleys Hero and Sunderland's prestigious Grand Prix courtesy of Crown Rover, who along with East County make up his threesome here.

As he has already freely admitted, there's not much between the three, and even once you've split them the puzzle is still far from being solved.

Franks Lad, a recent Sussex Cup finalist, obviously likes the Manchester air, after recording the second fastest time ever for the 590m trip in his semi-final routing of Southwind Harry to make it 2/2 over the CD. All his previous six bend form has come at trainer Paul Young's local track, Romford. Drawn as the sole wide seed, he should enjoy ample racing room, but with speed aplenty inside he's highly unlikely to enjoy an uncontested lead.

Southwind Harry has been written off in the betting, but last year's finalist has won three out of his five races over six bends this season, and for those looking for the 'value' he is undoubtedly the one to back. But when push comes to shove, Grand Prix champion Crown Rover gets my selection and can follow up this column's success in last week's Puppy Derby final with Westmead Logan.

Beaten only once in his last seven starts - one of only two defeats over six bends from eight attempts - Wright's charge is fancied to clear kennelmate East County at traps rise, who he beat from the same draw in the heats having also accounted for Hurleys Hero in the semi-finals, before taking a firm grip on the Category One prize.

Elsewhere, Glenroe Ginger (9.25) can make up for his shock defeat in the recent Peterborough Derby final by claiming the main four bend prize. Barrie Draper's Golden Sprint winner is no stranger to Belle Vue having won twice from three previous attempts including a victory from the trap one draw he has secured here. Julie Bateson's Steel City Cup finalist Ardkill Tunoco may struggle to clear the pace on his immediate inside.

But his handler should be on the mark in the puppy race (7.40) with Wimbledon Puppy Derby and Classic runner-up Blood Of Kings, who is likely to be a warm order taking a marked drop in class, but arguably looks the safest bet on the card.

Rotar Wing has the makings of being the new sprint sensation, and can keep it in the family - being a litter brother of Blood Of Kings - by following up wins at Peterborough and Yarmouth, both remarkably in track-record times, in the 8.0.

Plan was never a factor when taking an early knock at Wimbledon last week, but is again given the selection to win the Ladies race (8.15), at a track where she run well on all three previous visits, twice with success.