Greyhound News: Will Big Mike be a knockout?

Greyhounds News / The Lord / 05 August 2010 / Leave a Comment

"Tyrur Big Mike has been the subject of sustained support in the lead up to the Irish Derby and punters will not have to wait long to see for Conor Fahy's dog, who goes on the first of three nights of first-round-action."

The money has come for Tyrur Big Mike as the third leg of greyhound racing's triple crown - the Irish Derby - gets under way

Eyes down for the Irish Derby, which kicks off on Thursday, Friday and Saturday this week.
The third leg of greyhound racing's triple crown, some 140-plus entries are going for gold in the richest race around - and the betting suggests the 550 yards event is as wide open as ever.
There is no College Causeway in the line-up after the great dog's retirement, but quality abounds, especially in the Champion Stakes first and second, Makeshift and Tyrur Big Mike.
Tyrur Big Mike has been the subject of sustained support in the lead up to the Irish Derby and punters will not have to wait long to see for Conor Fahy's dog, who goes on the first of three nights of first-round-action.
For good measure, Champion Stakes winner Makeshift, trained by Dolores Ruth, also goes on the first night where he tackles evergreen bitch Skywalker Queen, twice an Irish Oaks finalist and winner of the bitches' Classic in 2009.
Dundalk International Definate Opinion, who missed the Champion Stakes in favour of going straight to the Derby, runs for Pat Guilfoyle in Friday's batch of heats, while star of the show on Saturday looks to be Shaneboy Lee and much-touted Tyrur Lohan.
UK interest this year is based around the likes of Liz McNair's 2009 English Oaks champion Shaws Dilemma, and a host of former UK-based runners, including the likes of Farley Blitz, Westmead Logan, Westmead Grant and the 2009 Derby champion Kinda Ready.


Rotar Wing has done something few thought likely by qualifying for the final of the Peterborough Derby.
With no Jimmy Lollie around, Rotar Wing would be champion sprinter but trainer David Pruhs took the decision to step up his star performer to a short four bends.
He is not blessed with huge stamina, but did well to qualify after not even leading in his semi-final and connections will be hoping for a smash break come Saturday's decider.
However, leading the opposition to the local hope will be two runners from in-form Seamus Cahill's kennel, Tearaway John and Fierce McHugh. as the Kent-based handler looks to improve his Trainers' Championship standing. Read on.


Seamus Cahill drew level with Mark Wallis in the Trainer of the Year tussle after landing the Puppy Derby final with Rayvin Giovanni at Wimbledon on Tuesday.
And the winner, together with kennelmate Droopys Oscar, already gives Cahill a huge hand in the betting on the 2011 Derby!
Plans for the pair now include the Puppy Classic at Nottingham for Droopys Oscar and the Northern Puppy Derby at Newcastle for Rayvin Giovanni.


Greyhound racing's ruling body could be heading for a clash over prize-money with the GRA.
It follows the decision of the Birmingham track to stage opens worth just £125 each.
The races do not count for Trainers' Championship points and one handler yesterday called for other trainers to boycott such events.
"There should be an industry-minimum of £150. That's the level needed for Trainers' Championship points and it's disgraceful that opens can be allowed to stage for such pitiful sums.
"There are graded races at some of the better tracks that offer better prize-money, and what this says about the GRA's treatment of those who work in the sport is just laughable.
"They should be told by the GBGB now that they can't do it again."


Yarmouth begins the countdown to the Betfair East Anglian Derby with heats of the Challenge on Monday.
It kicks off a busy period for the go-ahead track - the new home of champion trainer Mark Wallis who is now supplying runners there - with a six-week-long festival leading to the £20,000 gala final night, backed by Betfair, on Thursday, September 16.