Greyhound News: All the sport's headlines in one spot

General / Editor / 06 October 2008 / Leave a Comment

Including St Leger updates, retiring trainers and new plans for Walthamstow.

Lenson Joker, the current St Leger favourite, warmed up for the stayers' Classic with a 27.57sec trial over 460m at Wimbledon on Saturday.

The Tony Collett-trained Oxford Cesarewitch, Romford Champion Stakes and Sunderland Grand Prix winner did not impress with a recent win at Yarmouth, but remains at the head of the betting after that trial.

The Leger is still on the agenda for Flying Winner, the Regency and TV Trophy winner, who ran with promise behind Midway Skipper at Coventry on Sunday. The winner, herself a Wimbledon contender, made all and never allowed Flying Winner the chance to strike a blow.

The St Leger closes to entries on Tuesday, with the first round on Saturday.

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Wimbledon's new general manager, replacing Darren Kennedy, who left the company at the weekend, is Stan Wolfe. The former Catford general manager joins the GRA with immediate effect.

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Mick Puzey has announced he is to retire from training. The veteran ex-Walthamstow handler has struggled to make a living since the Stow closed.

Meanwhile, news is still awaited on efforts to reopen the Chingford Road venue. It is reported that London & Quadrant, the site's owners, are considering a lease deal put together by the Save Our Stow campaign believed to be worth £250,000 a year.

One source said: "That sort of money can be raised and paid at the click of fingers, we just need the go-ahead. We have the borough's support it seems.

"The £20m-odd which would buy the land, should it be offered, is slightly more difficult to lay hands on in the current climate, but it remains an outside bet."

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Betfair's retired greyhound of the year is Boss, a four-year-old waiting for a home at Sheffield's RGT kennels. He was one of the stars at the recent Great Greyhound Gathering at Nottingham.

Winning £2,500 for the Sheffield RGT, he was one of 700 dogs and 3,000 people who attended the second GGG at Nottingham, which was deemed an overwhelming success.

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Hall Green stages the richest race this week with the Produce Stakes final on Friday (the semis take place on Tuesday). Restricted to British-breds, the race offers a first prize of £15,000.

Belle Vue stages the Laurels final on Tuesday (Sky) and supporting card; Peterborough has the heats and then final of the Fengate Collar on Tuesday and Saturday, while the St Leger kicks off at Wimbledon on Saturday In Ireland, Friday sees the Irish Puppy Derby at Harold's Cross, while on Saturday Cork stages the Laurels semi-finals.