St Leger Betting: A quarter-final clash of the titans

Events / Darrell Williams / 16 October 2008 / Leave a Comment

Both Lenson Joker and Bubbly Totti should qualify on Friday but who will carry the bragging rights into the next round? And what about a "psychological boost" for the winner? Do greyhounds have the capacity for them? Darrell Williams investigates.

Friday's St Leger Quarter-finals at Wimbledon have thrown up an early clash of the titans with ante post favourite and 2007 runner-up Lenson Joker putting his twelve race winning sequence on the line against Derby Quarter-finalist and fastest first round winner Bubbly Totti in the 8.30 heat.

Both should of course safely qualify, but who will have the bragging rights heading into next week's semi-finals? It's not an easy call with 'Totti', this column's main ante post selection, comfortably the quickest in last week's opening heats when again confirming his liking for the Plough Lane circuit. Ted Soppitt could hardly have him in better shape, with a tally of seven wins from his last 11 outings and he'll take some stopping if in the same mood again. But in Lenson Joker we'll dealing with a greyhound that hasn't been beaten since the end of May, notching up a sequence that includes unbeaten sweeps in the Cesarewitch, Grand Prix and Champion Stakes, and it's that ability to keep winning, coupled with a perhaps more advantageous draw, that on this occasion narrowly swings my vote in his favour.

While Bubbly Totti could initially be hassled by local Larkhill Dipper swinging wide from an unsuitable trap four berth, 'Joker' is likely to get a clearer run to the turn, and while he was perhaps more workmanlike in his first round victory than his rival, it should be remembered that was his first start for nearly three weeks and more can be expected this time.

Droopys Arsene will also hope to have a say in the proceedings, but while Pat Curtin's Irish raider made up plenty of ground before winning his heat, he still needs to find huge improvement if he's to trouble the 'big two'.

Local hope Division Belle ran a stormer last weekend when turning on the style and belying big odds to comfortably account for useful Romeo Turbo. She will have gained plenty of new fans with that performance and will again bid to pile on the pressure from the front. I'm confident she can give Richard Rees a semi-finalist, but I just fancy Shelbourne Tiger may prove too strong and ultimately too classy in the latter stages in the 8.15 heat.

Carbarns Tom was impressive in his heat, but might not have beaten much, and will find this company far more taxing.

TV Trophy winner Flying Winner, who runs in the 8.45 heat, had some racegoers disappointed when failing to beat Iceman Brutus in the first round, and has now been turned over at short odds in her last three starts. It was however her first look at Wimbledon and in a weak looking heat she must be given every chance of returning to winning ways.

Lone wide seed Brimardon Star, who finished just behind Flying Winner last Saturday, again renews rivalry and could hardly have asked for a better make up in being drawn immediately outside rails hugging Wise Maldini, and should easily make the last twelve.

Midway Skipper was always playing second fiddle to Bubbly Totti in the first round, but Henry Chalkley's bitch still ran a decent race in defeat on what was her first look at the London track and can confirm that promise by claiming the last heat at 9.0 with her stamina likely to prove too demanding for Iceman Brutus, whose early pace should ensure her qualification.