Greyhound News: Walthamstow saga continues

Greyhounds News / Editor / 18 July 2009 / Leave a Comment

All the latest news from the world of greyhound racing...

Crown Rover, winner of the Sunderland Grand Prix, will next head to Romford for the Champion Stakes next month - and a rematch with Lenson Joker.

The pair finished first and second at Sunderland in both the semi-final and final, Lenson Joker's victory in the semis reversed by the Jimmy Wright-trained Crown Rover in the £20,000 decider.
It continues a cracking run from first-season trainer Jimmy Wright, following his victory with Hurleys Hero - also a winner at Sunderland on Thursday - in the Cock O'The North at Belle Vue.
Wright will be keen to continue the good work and force his way into the Trainers' Championship reckoning, if not for 2010 then certainly 2011.

Champion trainer Mark Wallis is almost certain to defend his crown and make it a third victory for Imperial Kennels in recent years. In winning both the Derby with Kinda Ready and the Sunderland Classic final with Jogadusc Ace, Wallis has won the two most valuable races in the Calendar and is almost unassailably clear.

As it stands, the six trainers looking on for places in the 2010 Trainers' Championship are Wallis, Charlie Lister, Barrie Draper, Seamus Cahill, Dean Childs and Chris Allsopp.
Incidentally, the unconventionally-named Jogadusc Ace was formerly known as Mountjoy Gold with the name change coming about following his sale to John Keefe, Gavin Cheeseman, Duane Henry and Scott Fraser. The letters of their first names gives a clue as to its origin!

The sport could be in for a new round of Save Our Stow protests. The latest word is that the owners of the site which houses Walthamstow Stadium, housing association London & Quadrant, are not keen on taking a loss on the reputed £18m they paid for the land. Potential buyers of the track have tentatively offered a lower figure, taking into account the collapse of the building and property market, and the reported damage to facilities inside. Assuming L&Q play hardball and insist on £18m, then attempts to return the sport and other leisure facilities to an area bereft of such could be a matter for the local council.

"No planning permission surely means no-use," said one SOS insider. "There's a criminal waste of money going on, but the council could be key if they want this sleeping giant to wake again."

Matt Dartnall is back on home soil after last weekend's visit to Dundalk for the International - and is back in the winner's enclosure courtesy of a double at Hove in the Sussex Cup heats on Thursday. Dartnall sent out Derby finalists Ballymac Ruso and Glenard Sunrise to win again at Hove following their first and third in the Olympic recently.

However, fastest on the night was a stunning 29.36sec from Windy Millar, Pat Rosney's dog winning by over seven lengths.The semis take place on Thursday, with the final of the 515m contest the feature of Sky's next live programme from the Sussex track on Tuesday week (July 28).

Julie Bateson, who sent out Jethart Jackie to run his last race at Sunderland on Thursday, has also recently retired Meenala Cruiser. The Sunderland track record holder is likely to be sent to stud now, as is Bateson's dual Scottish Derby finalist Kylegrove Top."But Blood Of Kings and, of course, Ardkill Tinoco are flying the fag for the kennel in their absence," said a source. "Tinoco, especially, has become one of the fastest four-bend dogs in the country since his switch from Ireland|".