The Lord's dogs to watch from Sunderland

General / Editor / 14 July 2009 / Leave a Comment

Our top dog-watcher has another batch of runners for the notebook.

'Droopys Taffy has proved a difficult dog to win with, but there were signs that another victory is not too far away with a fair effort behind runaway winner Westmead Pal over 595m': so said The Lord last week ahead of Droopys Taffy's [6.0] strike in a race at Nottingham - now it's time to take stock after another cracking week of greyhound racing.

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Sunderland has to be the first port of call as the heats and semi-finals of the UK Festival of Racing there has produced some outstanding races and performances.

It's great to see Lenson Joker back to defend his crown and trainer Tony Collett really does deserve a pat on the back for getting his star back on track after injury, but keep tabs with the dog he beat at the weekend, Crown Rover. For me, he now looks a fully fledged six-bend dog and proved as such by not allowing Lenson Joker to streak clear. He has the early pace to continue to lead his rivals a merry dance. Who knows, it night have in Thursday's Grand Prix final?

Droopy Bogart has starred in these columns before and is one of the fastest dogs in training just now, making the step from puppy class to all-aged company in his stride and looks good for the four-bend decider, the Classic. Also in the Classic, how nice also to see Blood Of Kings firing. He, too, went into the notebook after running at Belle Vue a few weeks back.

Before we leave Sunderland, one or two other dogs shone in defeat in the heats.

Although beaten and eliminated in the semi-finals, Rough Mariah can win next time up judged on a fast-finishing effort especially in her qualifier.

Likewise, Corrig Vieri didn't enjoy the best of luck when he was knocked out on Saturday, but no other greyhound recently has closed on an on-the-bunny Hurleys Hero like the Arc champ did in the heats.

Of the others eliminated, Shale Dimitar showed great pace to lead a decent field a merry dance and his whereabouts should be watched next time, as should Carden Bert who went to the bend nicely. He runs next at Hove on Thursday.

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But talking of Romford, Bantiss Dermot should also continue to pay his way. Although beaten in a nice open sprint on Friday, he retains plenty of ability having almost got round in a four-bend event just four days before.

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And hot off the press, well the DVD actually, catch Micks Ginger over a slightly easier trip than Coventry's 480m. Chris Allsopp's ex-Irish dog showed good speed to go clear before tying up and getting caught, and could go in next time over a slightly shorter distance.