Greyhounds Betting: Brilliant Dino soars to victory in final race for Mullins

General / Jonathan Hobbs / 12 September 2008 / Leave a Comment

Jonathan Hobbs reviews the week's greyhound racing action...

Greyhound racing never fails to produce a good story and Steel City Cup final night at Sheffield on Tuesday was another great example!

Dog gets sold. Wins final for new owner. Trainer and new owner at loggerheads at the presentation. It was a headline-writer's dream, and no doubt great TV for those watching.
The greyhound in question was Blonde Dino, and he was simply brilliant in winning the final. And, if as expected, that was his last run for John Mullins, what a way to go out.

Mullins did his job exceptionally, and new owner Ricky Holloway has a great greyhound who he has paid good money for. He is sure to have some fun - but let's hope not over hurdles!

In behind the winner, Affleck Elite was rightly lauded for his staying-on second, but the dog who impressed me in the final, and early in the competition, was Centaur Marine.

This dog has cracking starting ability when all falls into place, plus blinding speed up. Young, and relatively inexperienced, he is definitely one to watch. Shame the Yarmouth Derby clashed.

Elsewhere, Magna Flash and Recovery Lad went into the notebook after the puppy race, the former for his strong-running style and the latter for his pace. He got tired in the soft conditions.

The bitches' race saw some excellent performances. I would rate the winner Lochbo Meg as a serious Oaks contender and Karen Sim's runner continues to perform with great consistency. Boasting cracking pace early, she also proved she can come from off the pace when staying on to win. And that's perfect for any competition.

Nifty Farloe is a nice new intake to Chris Allsopp's kennel and showed good pace, while Noelles Saka would have got a lot closer but for just losing her position at the bend first time out at Sheffield.

Commander Chief will not have made many friends when losing out to Charlie's Dream. But it is worth noting that the winner is so resolute in front, and has made plenty of other stayers look ordinary in her terrific career.

Rev Counter and Kylegrove Top did what was expected of them in winning their races, as did the show-stopping Boherna On Air. Quite brilliant and compensation for his semi-final Steel City Cup exit.

In that race, however, Vigorous Pat might just have gone unnoticed. He went to the bend winner the winner, but was not favoured by the draw and could not really challenge. Watch him next time.

Sheffield also staged a very good undercard and the efforts of sprinters Tyrur Hestor and Land Moth caught the eye, as possible marathon sensation, when stepped up, Bubbly Eagle and the coming-back-to-form Droopys Taffy.

As for Yarmouth, Farloe Reason's run was astonishing, but I did think that Mottos Star ran a great heat and has scope for improvement.