Greyhound News: Big race headlines from both sides of the Irish Sea plus a Walthamstow update

Greyhounds News / Editor / 23 November 2009 / Leave a Comment

"Bubbly Totti rolled back the years to set the standard in the heats of the Essex Vase at Romford on Friday. The former Ted Soppitt-trained runner, winner of the 2008 St Leger, is out of retirement and now being trained by Paul Young. And he thrilled his owners the Champagne Club with a fluent 35.65sec success."

Our newshound has been sniffing out the top stories in the game once again

Eye Onthe Storm and Fear Zafonic are vying for favouritism at [3.8] for the Eclipse final at Nottingham on Thursday.
The visit to Colwick Park is Sky's next port of call and £8,000 awaits the winner of the 500m affair after Saturday's semi-finals saw Head Iton Ellis clock the quickest time of the three semi-final winners.
Head Iton Ellis beat Romeo Maldini when posting 29.86sec, while Charlie Lister had a one-two in the second semi with Jordansoilutions leading home Fear Zafonic.
Trap draw for the final: 1 Frisby Forfun, 2 Fear Zafonic, 3 Head Iton Ellis, 4 Jordansoilutions, 5 Eye On The Storm, 6 Romeo Maldini (w).
In addition to the Eclipse final, there are supporting competitions for sprinters and puppies.


Bubbly Totti rolled back the years to set the standard in the heats of the Essex Vase at Romford on Friday.
The former Ted Soppitt-trained runner, winner of the 2008 St Leger, is out of retirement and now being trained by Paul Young. And he thrilled his owners the Champagne Club with a fluent 35.65sec success.
Training honours on the night, however, went to Mark Wallis with two heat winners, Goldies Destiny, the fastest heat scorer with a 35.36sec return, and Eye Onthe Tempo.
However, there was disappointment for last week's Yorkshire St Leger winner Capel Smiley, who was knocked out of the Romford event in his heat.


Sky's schedule of events for 2010 has yet to be finalised, but hopes are high that a deal will be sealed this week.
The satellite channel will broadcast meetings live from Nottingham, Romford (Essex Vase) and Wimbledon (Oaks) before the year is out and is expected to again cover over 30 meetings next year, with the Derby once again its crown jewel.


News that the owners of the site housing Walthamstow Stadium are about to lodge a planning application for the land has been welcomed in part by the Save Our Stow campaigners.
"It's a tricky one," said one this week. "The fact that they want to build flats on it isn't great, of course, but once they've launched a planning bid, and it gets turned down, we might have some real movement."
Efforts to view the site, to see how the stadium has eroded since its last greyhound meeting in August 2008, have come to nothing thus far. A refused planning application could just open the doors.


Irish Puppy Derby winner Tullymurry Act kicked off his Comerford Cakes National Puppy campaign with victory in his heat at Shelbourne Park on Saturday.
And for good measure, Pat Buckley's dog clocked the quickest time with a brilliant 28.38sec victory.
The Irish debut of the dog formerly known as Romeo Expert proved a disappointment, with the youngster finding trouble and finishing last behind Cartiers Dazzle. Now known as Troys Expert, he was sold to new trainer Buckley by his Melton-based breeder Dave Firmager.


Arguments are set to rage within the sport as a challenge to the existing status quo of governing and representative bodies, the Greyhound Board of Great Britain (GBGB), Trainers' Association (GTA) and Federation of British Greyhound Owners' Associations (FBGOA) are set to be challenged by a newly-formed owners, trainers and breeders group.
GOBATA launches in London on Tuesday and is being led by owner-trainer Martin White and former Walthamstow handler John Coleman.