Greyhound News: All the sport's top stories

Greyhounds News / Editor / 24 February 2009 / Leave a Comment

Leading handlers prepare for the Betfair-sponsored Trainers' Championship.

Thursday sees the traditional Betfair-sponsored Trainers' Championship lunch.

The swish affair takes place at the Hempel Hotel in west London and guests of honours will be the six competing trainers in what promises to be one of the meetings of the year at Sheffield on March 17. The Betfair Trainers' Championship was won at Wimbledon last year by Seamus Cahill, who will be back to defend his title as one of the top six trainers from 2008.

Trainers field runners in each of eight races over various distances at the meeting, which will be screened live on Sky Sports. Cahill is joined by Barrie Draper, Charlie Lister, John Mullins, Pat Rosney and Mark Wallis (champion trainer).

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Lorrys Options, one of two unbeaten runners in the decider is favourite at [2.9] for Saturday's showpiece event in the greyhound world, the Golden Jacket final.

A brother of Prestige winner Hawks Dilemma and marathon star Bubbly Eagle, the Dean Childs-trained runner has draw trap four in the final after running from the red box in the heats and semi. However, connections feel the middle draw could see their strong stayer break better.

Harlow Lad is the other unbeaten runner in the final, the Sean Walsh-trained runner owned by a syndicate which includes the Harlow promoter Dave Barclay. Two others finals support the £15,000 final both over 540 metres, one of which is over hurdles.

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A decision on the latest instalment in the 'bring back Walthamstow campaign' is expected later this week. An American-based gaming company is believed to be interested in the site, which closed last August and was bought by developers. A resumption of racing at the Chingford Road venue could see the return to training of Mick Puzey and Paul Rich.

Veteran handler Puzey and Rich both handed in their licence after failing to make ends meet, having based their kennel strength on the contract they held at the Stow.

One source said: "The loss of Mick and Paul to the game is not complete. Both are still involved in the game with litters on the ground, but running a business in the London area without the safety net of a contract at, say, Romford, Crayford or Wimbledon, is just impossible.

"But should the Stow rise from the ashes, you'd think the pair would be snapped up straight away. Both had great sets of owners and a lifetime's experience in the sport."

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Major mover in the Derby market has been Deanridge Fury after a speedy trial at Wimbledon last week. But this week's trials at the Plough Lane venue, involving the Juvenile runners, Irish raiders and a host of other Derby possibles could shake up the market even more.

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Stacey Baggs is back in greyhound racing. The daughter of the late Walthamstow trainer Gary Baggs is working alongside her husband at Ricky Holloway's kennels in Essex.

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Irish interest in next week's big Juvenile meeting at Wimbledon, which is live on Sky, is increasing. Pat Buckley is due to bring over Irish Puppy Derby winner Droopys Noel for the youngsters' one-off, while top tracker College Causeway is set to run over 480m. The line-up for the Juvenile will be finalised this week, with three-times Category One winner Boherna Best the latest to be drafted in.