Greyhounds Betting: A fantastic week to be an open-race fan

General / Jonathan Hobbs / 21 December 2008 / Leave a Comment

Jonathan Hobbs reflects on a week of incident-packed greyhound racing at Wimbledon, Henlow, Nottingham and Monmore.

Tuesday's Oaks final at Wimbledon was complemented by a cracking card, while Friday's Monmore bonanza was spiced by no less than four finals. In between, Nottingham and Henlow waved the flag furiously with superb cards and, in the case of Henlow, it was a case of big news off the track as well as Bob 'Westmead Hawk' Morton became chairman of the Bedfordshire venue.

But first, Wimbledon. A great success for Kim Billingham and her partner Chris Akers. Meenala Amy was so game in front and fully deserved the success, although equally Ravella Drive was hugely unlucky not to got even closer. Richard Rees really has her flying now. She starts and stays and compensation surely awaits.

King Edward ran a stormer in the puppy race, as good a youngsters' race we've seen all year, and was value for his defeat of Deanridge Ammo. But into the notebook goes Droopys Kez who was probably closest at the finish after getting absolutely no run at all as he tried to move middle in the dash to the turn.

Closest at the finish also was Alfie Sparra in his race won by the impressive Mountjoy Ruby. And, like Droopys Kez, that's encouraging. Both dogs like to dominate and were unable to, so both earn top marks for their resolution. Alfie Sparra looks a shoe-in next up for Julie Luckhurst.

Winkys Don franked the form of his own defeat in the jumps' race at the paws of Barnfield Chubby by going in two days later at Henlow, as the track's valuable hurdles competition came to a conclusion. Ricky Holloway's dog thrives on the extra work, and perhaps his victory is a pointer to kennelmate Blonde Dino in Henlow's Winter Derby on Monday.

Romeo Maldini was awesome in winning the six-bend event for Dave Firmager and, as much as it was fastest 668m Wimbledon win of the year, it was arguably the best six-bend performance of the year, full stop. A terrific effort, full of quality against a top-notch field. But in behind, Hawks Dilemma really caught the eye. She looks special and was in front at the pick-up. From a fantastic litter, she still could be anything.

Fabulous Quest got up in the shadow of the post to deny Lochbo Meg and continues to improve. Lightly-raced, this half-sister and kennelmate of Romeo Maldini should continue to improve and will no doubt be aimed at most of the top bitches' events from now on. But also give another chance to Blonde Fern. After missing the break, she showed searing pace to the turn before being crowded out, and will take off again very soon.

The first three in the marathon, led by eight-bend 'newcomer' Barnfield Brooke, can dominate eight-bend events from now on - if Flying Winner stays away of course! Both runner-up Ballyea Honcho, on eight-bend debut, and third-placed Vatican Iona, who came from another parish late on, ran with credit for different reasons and all three should be playing a part again soon.

In terms of the 2009 Derby, the greyhound who did his claims no harm on the night was Deanridge Fury. Dean Childs's dog missed the break, took a whack from wide-moving Kilelton Rose, but still hit the front off the second bend. Lightly-raced off the back of a lay-off, he has one target in mind from now on and the Juvenile Championship is just the stepping-stone to that!

At Monmore, the eyecatchers were Kellsbro Reject, as he ran-up in the sprint, and Droopys Billy, who looked to have no chance off the last bend, but who rallied up the home-straight to force the issue with Directors Ruler in the 480m Dogs final after not being able to dominate the race as he prefers.

Merry Xmas all!