Greyhound News: Ravello rolls up for the Oaks

Greyhounds News / Editor / 15 December 2008 / Leave a Comment

Pruhs holds strong hand for National Sprint, Oaks final offers quality card and is a mystery American company about to make an offer for Walthamstow?

Tuesday sees the final of the bitches' Classic at Wimbledon, the Oaks, where the Richard Rees-trained Ravello Drive is hoping to become the first local winner since Norah McEllistrim's Purley Queen in 2002.

The Sky-featured card is full of quality, with Irish interest supplied by a team of dogs sent over by Irish Derby-winning trainer Pat Curtin.

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David Pruhs holds a strong hand in the National Sprint at Nottingham, fielding no less than six of the 12 semi-finalists after qualifying his entire team through last week. The semi-finals are Monday.

Horseshoe Ping is bidding to rival Boherbradda Mac for the Sprinter of the Year with victory in the event, which concludes on December 22. All the action is live into the country's betting shops.

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Flying Winner continues to make hay in Ireland as Chris Lund's TV Trophy champion roared into the final of the Ted Hegarty Marathon at Harold's Cross with victory in her semi-final on Friday.

The final of the Xmas treat takes place at the Dublin venue on Friday.

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Richest race of the weekend was the Mardocs Holdings Golden Jacket at Galway on Sunday.

Appropriately, it was won by the sponsor when Mardocs O'Shea scooped the 35,000 euros pot for trainer Frances O'Donnell and winning owner, and race backer, Denis O'Connell.
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The Save Our Stow campaign was boosted with the news last week that an American company is considering a bid for the famous Walthamstow Stadium in east London.

The track has been shut for three months and the site is currently owned by a housing association developer who are believed willing to listen to offers for the land, for which no planning permission has been granted or even applied for.

A source said: "The SOS campaign has entrusted a financial expert to broker a deal with any company wanting to stage greyhound racing at the Stow. This company has knowledge of the sport, and I suppose long-term you'd imagine some sort of screening of racing from one track to another. That might mean the Americans watching live action from the Stow and vice versa.

"Had this been six months, you'd have said no chance. But the dollar is more in their favour now. Look, it's still a long-shot. The deal still has to be struck, and any property deal has its pitfalls, but there's hope."