Greyhounds News / Editor / 24 November 2008 / Leave a comment

All the latest news from around the dog tracks...

Wise Thought, who can be backed at [20.0], has been the mover in the betting for next year's Derby.

Martin White's dog completed an unbeaten run through the Eclipse at Nottingham, never really looking in trouble. He is set to be put away now until the new year. This year, Wise Thought reached the Irish Derby semi-finals.

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Romford is the centre of all things open-racing this week, with the Essex Vase semis on Wednesday and the Puppy Cup gala card on Friday.
Favourite for the Essex Vase is Greyhound of the Year contender Bubbly Totti at [3.25].

Ted Soppitt's dog, looking to consolidate his position alongside the likes of Boherna Best and Lenson Joker as a contender for the sport's top honour, came through his 575m heat on Friday.

While his performance hardly took the breath away, the St Leger winner impressed racegoers with his trackcraft as he hit the front late on.

The heats saw a return to the big time for Vatican Jinky, the 2007 Gold Collar champion, who had a long spell on the sidelines before returning to the track last week.

Deanridge Ammo, available at [3.0], is vying for Puppy Cup final favouritism with Confident Kermit (3.1).

Paul Young made a point of rating him a Derby contender for 2009 but after a poor trap five draw, the local dog had to battle to win his semi-final.

Confident Kermit, a more experienced performer, trapped in his best style to win his semi-final, and has the edge in experience over his rival having previously made the final of the Northern Puppy Derby at Sunderland.

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The on-going Coventry St Leger (started Sunday) could finally decide the Trainer of the Year for 2008.

Suitably, leading trainer Mark Wallis was on the mark in the very first heat as Butterbridge Ali (44.73) made all and, while reigning champion Charlie Lister did not send out a winner, his Carbarns Tom ran on well behind Droopys Curbs. Swift Blackfoot also qualified for Lister.

Seamus Cahill is still riding high also in the Trainer of the Year table and he will be hoping his Droopys Quinta can grab the kennel valuable points in the Puppy Cup decider at Romford.

Training honours at the Brandon track went to Michael Harris after a double with Swift Ninja and Swift Messenger, the former clocking a fastest-of-the-round 43.94sec. That was one spot quicker than Dean Childs' fellow impressive scorer Droopys Curbs.

Kent St Leger winner Midway Skipper continued her good run of form with a easy victory in her heat.

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Setanta's next live coverage of greyhound racing will be from Galway with a programme surrounding the final of the Golden Jacket at Galway in a fortnight's time.

The event lost Irish Derby winner Shelbourne Aston on Saturday, who was knocked out in his heat. Favourite for the stake now is the Graham Holland-trained Broadacres Turbo.

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Sky's next live coverage of greyhound racing is on Tuesday with the final of the Essex Vase, won for the past two years by Eye On the Veto.

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Newcastle has emerged as favourite to stage the 2009 TV Trophy from Wimbledon and Poole. The north-east track recently staged the All England Cup final live on Sky.

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Sheffield will not be staging its popular four-dog Invitation this year, but plans are afoot to stage it again in 2009. The race won last won by Blonde Jeannie in 2007.