Greyhound News: Lister unveils two Derby hopefuls for new year

Greyhounds News / Editor / 09 February 2009 / Leave a Comment

Swindon is struggling while a small green shoot of hope has appeared for Walthamstow.

Swindon have been forced to completely alter the schedule of the Arc after plans to stage the second round heats on Monday were dashed by the continuing elements.

The meeting was due to include the Arc second round, held over from Saturday's abandoned meeting, but despite work over the weekend conditions proved unsafe.

The second round will now be held on Wednesday evening, with the semi-finals on Saturday. The final will now be on Thursday, February 19 and will be broadcast on Sky.

Shaneboy Luke, at [3.8], tops the market for the ex-Walthamstow event.

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Hopes of restarting racing at Walthamstow were raised a touch last week. It is understood no planning application for the site has been filed with the local Waltham Forest Council by new owners London & Quadrant, and a recent investigation by certain parties seems to have confirmed once again the requirement for leisure use of the site.

In the background remain potential bidders for the stadium, including an American gaming company. The track has been closed since August 16.

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Charlie Lister took the wraps off two of his leading contenders for Derby honours on Saturday.
Litter brothers Ninja Jamie (pictured) and Farloe Reason both won their seasonal bows at Sheffield, albeit in contrasting styles.

Ninja Jamie started poorly but came through well to lead at the third bend, although was all out to hold Lissycasey Punch at the line. Farloe Reason, on the other hand, made all but was also to made to work hard as runner-up Thurlesbeg Joker kept on to keep the winning distance down to a length in a much faster 28.99sec, as compared with Ninja Jamie's 29.39sec.

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Meanwhile open-race fans are eagerly awaiting the clash of the country's fastest dogs, Boherbradda Mac and Miss Lee. Sprinter of the Year for 2008 Boherbradda Mac made a winning return from injury at Sheffield on Saturday and delighted his trainer Harry Williams.
In his absence, however, Miss Lee has assumed the mantle of the country's best two-bend performer with recent wins at Hall Green, Perry Barr and Nottingham.

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Friday sees the draw for the Golden Jacket, one of the most popular staying events in the Calendar. The event kicks off on Monday (February 16) and then it's the Saturday/Saturday schedule of semi-finals and final, the action screened live into the country's betting shops. Among the entries will be Midway Skipper, who will be bidding to defend an unbeaten record at the Kent track in a trial stakes this week before the heats. The Henry Chalkley-trained stayer is a daughter of Midway Tomsscout, who won the Crayford 714m event a few years ago. The Golden Jacket was won last year by Brian Clemenson's Shelbourne Merc.

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The new Greyhound Board of Great Britain has made changes to the calendar it sends out to owners, trainers and subscribers. The 2009 edition now includes an open-race index, as well as all the other usual features.

A spokesman said: "The publication is a bible for those in the sport. It provides all the necessary information from the old NGRC Calendar, but now tracks have their own sections.

"It's hoped they will use this to advertise what's coming up. There's also no need to refer back to previous editions from closing dates etc. It should all be there in one easy-to-read section."

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Pick of the open-race action is Tuesday's live-on-Sky card from Wimbledon including the final of the Springbok, the novice hurdlers' championship, although the jumping of big-race favourite Nebuchadnezzar could hardly be described as 'novicey'.

Lorraine Sams's dog blasted to victory in Friday's semi-finals, his jumping fast and economical, and has been rewarded with trap one in the decider. He can be backed at [1.74].
The eight-race TV card also includes the appearance of Bitch of the Year Flying Winner, who clashes with up-and-coming marathon performer Bubbly Eagle.