Greyhound News: Derby duo put in exciting efforts at Sheffield

Greyhounds News / Editor / 16 February 2009 / Leave a Comment

Read all the major stories from the world of greyhounds.

The Golden Jacket, one of the most famous events in the greyhound calendar kicks off over 714 metres at Crayford tonight (Monday). The event was formerly staged at Harringay and, in its early years, featured as part of the old ITV7 on World of Sport on Saturday afternoons.

Since its switch to Crayford, the winners have included the Harry Findlay-owned Chicita Banana, while last year Hove handler Brian Clemenson struck gold with Shelbourne Merc.
Favourites for the title include Lorry Options ([5.6]) and Midway Skipper ([4.5]), the latter hoping to defend an unbeaten record in the competition, which has included victories in the Kent St Leger (714m) and Boxing Day Marathon (874m).

A track spokesman said: "Midway Skipper brings top-class Crayford form to the table, but has not raced for about three weeks. Indeed, for the first time we can remember in recent years, we're running the Golden jacket heats with no trial stakes having been run."

A combination of poor weather, frozen conditions and a hare malfunction, led to successive Monday night meetings at the Kent track being cancelled.

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Favourite for the Arc final at Swindon on Thursday is Shaneboy Luke ([2.92]), despite the Liz McNair-trained runner being beaten in Saturday's semi-finals of the rescheduled competition. Thursday's final, which is live on Sky Sports, was due to have been staged two days previously on the 'regular' Tuesday slot but the weather put paid to the original schedule. The Arc decider, switched from now closed to Walthamstow to Swindon, is this year worth £10,000 to the winner.

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Former star Open race stayer Charlies Dream has been retired to the breeding paddocks. Her prolific-scoring career included victory in the Cock O'The North at home track Belle Vue two years ago.

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Farloe Reason and Ninja Jamie consolidated their positions in the Derby betting when winning their races at Sheffield on Saturday, the former in a track record time. Last year's Blue Riband champ Farloe Reason lowered the old record for 500 metres to 28.83sec, while Yarmouth Derby winner Ninja Jamie went round in 28.99sec.

Both won comfortably and trainer Charlie Lister has earmarked the Scottish Derby for the pair of litter brothers. Ninja Jamie is currently trading at [29.0], with Farloe Reason at [55.0] for the Derby at Wimbledon in May.

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Ted Soppitt, still hopeful that Bubbly Totti can return to Wimbledon for a 480m race next month where he will take on highly rated Irish tracker College Causeway, unveiled new talent at Monmore on Saturday in Droopys Arshavin. The well-bred youngster started slowly in a Midland Puppy Derby trial stakes but finished very well for second and was clear into the pick-up.

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The sponsors of the Scottish Derby have given the sport a boost with the news that a £1m bonus will be paid to the connections of any greyhound who completes the Triple Crown of Scottish, English and Irish Derby successes. Tyrur Kieran, last year's Shawfield winner, went on to run second to Loyal Honcho at Wimbledon, although missed the Irish race through injury. The connections of College Causeway have intimated the Pat Buckley-trained runner would begin his quest for canine immortality in Glasgow next month.