Greyhound News: A busy week in open racing

Greyhounds News / Editor / 11 October 2009 / Leave a Comment

A busy week in open racing starts with action at Nottingham on Monday.

"Ten Large Down (2.86) and Westmead Carl (3.5) set themselves up for a match live on Sky on Thursday by winning their semi-finals of the Northern Puppy Derby at Sunderland on Saturday. Diane Henry's Ten Large Down is favourite after clocking the quickest time (26.98) of the three semi-final winners as he bids to add to his Westmead Puppy Derby prize won at Henlow earlier this year."

All the latest news, rumours and developments in the world of greyhound racing.

A busy open-race week kicks off at Nottingham on Monday with the £15,000-to-the-winner Produce Stakes final.

The event, for British-bred dogs only, has switched from Hall Green and its new home has 'produced' a great race with Puppy Derby winner Westmead Logan looking to land a famous double.

He is one of two Nick Savva-trained runners in the final, while Melton Mowbray-based Dave Firmager sends out Romeo Active in a bid to land a Swindon/Nottingham Produce Stakes double for the kennel.

Ten Large Down (2.86) and Westmead Carl (3.5) set themselves up for a match live on Sky on Thursday by winning their semi-finals of the Northern Puppy Derby at Sunderland on Saturday.

Diane Henry's Ten Large Down is favourite after clocking the quickest time (26.98) of the three semi-final winners as he bids to add to his Westmead Puppy Derby prize won at Henlow earlier this year.

Westmead Carl, second to Lenson Bolt in the Romford Puppy Cup, has arguably the best of the draw in the final in trap one in the decider after his off-the-pace 27.05 semi-final victory.
The third semi-final winner was Scottish raider Greenwell Viper in 27.44.

Draw for Thursday's Northern Puppy Derby final: 1 Westmead Carl 2 Ten Large Down (m), 3 Greenwell Viper (m), 4 Greenwell Gale (w), 5 Killieford Fire (w), 6 Drumcrow Bunty (w)

Mark Wallis dominated the heats of the St Leger at Wimbledon and his hopes of landing a famous Derby/St Leger in a glorious 2009 look strong.

Quickest of the night was Corrig Vieri, while Droopys Zach also won his heat for Imperial Kennels.

Jimmy Wright had a mixed night with Crown Rover winning impressively but Hurleys Hero finishing sore and crashing out.

Stayers Flying Winner and Midway Skipper, the long-time ante-post favourite, both crashed out but could be set for a TV Trophy re-match in a supporting marathon on St Leger final night on Sky on Tuesday week.

Barrie Draper has been vindicated in his decision to send over Boherna Best for an Irish campaign after last year's multiple big-race winner made it through to the final of the Irish Laurels at Cork at the weekend.

In finishing third in is semi, Boherna Best maintains a chance to create history by becoming the first dog to win the English and Irish Laurels.

However, strong favourite is Oran Classic, the Irish Derby runner-up, who continued his great run in competition by setting the highest standard with a brilliant 28.17 win in his semi-final.

Draw for Saturday's final: 1 Sevenheads Bay, 2 Forest Boss, 3 Tyrur Giovanni, 4 Oran Classic, 5 Bay City Jack, 6 Boherna Best (m).

The Greyhound Board of Great Britain is understood to be taking more of an interest in the 2010 Sky schedule.

Negotiated for years by the GRA on behalf of the greyhound industry - between 30 and 40 televised events per year have been the norm - the relatively newly-formed GBGB is believed to be keen to have a say in the deal.

"It will still be the GRA leading the way- after all they have all the major races it seems from the Derby downwards - but I think in time the sport as a whole would be more comfortable to," said one insider. "More tracks are keen to get some of the action and one or two sponsors might be swopping around with some of the major races."

Platinumlancelot is heading for the Irish Grand National after his run of consecutive wins was ended by Bomber Bailey at Belle Vue in midweek.

The pair could be set for a re-match across the water as a large UK entry is expected for the Harold's Cross prize, which starts next week.