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Greyhounds News: Bubbly bolts to favourite for St Leger

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Soppitt's run continues and SOS tell housing association to name their price...

Bubbly Totti is the new favourite for the St Leger after bolting home in his second round heat at Wimbledon on Friday.

Continuing a good run of form for Durham trainer Ted Soppitt after his Northern Puppy Derby victory at Sunderland on Thursday with Droopys Kez, Bubbly Totti quickly went clear of arch rival Lenson Joker and won impressively to once again set a fastest-of-the-night time.

It ended a winning sequence of 12 for Lenson Joker, although connections were boosted with victory in his second round heat of Lenson Earl. Tony Collett has three of Tuesday's 11 semi-finalsts, the 'missing' quaifier being Division Belle.

Richard Rees's bitch, a local champion, was disqualified for aggressive interference against Shelbourne Tiger at the fifth bend as the Hove raider came to challenge. And while she went on to win, the Wimbledon stewards acted.

The semi-finals take place at Wimbledon on Tuesday.

Gary Baggs lost his battle with cancer on Sunday, aged 60. The Walthamstow trainer, who won the Derby in 1987 with Signal Spark, had passed the licence to daughter Stacey following an initial diagnosis of his illness. Stacey subsequently relinquished the license when Walthamstow closed.

Signal Spark, who edged out favourite Tapwatcher in one of the most epic Classic finishes, put Baggs on the Classic roll of honour, but he also handled the likes of Echo Spark, with Joe Cobbold, Keeper Tom, Lodge Prince, Fifty Pence and Exile Energy.

More recently, there were likes of Spiral Darkie and Toms Little Jo, the latter winning a BGRB Award. Success at the Racing Post Festival also included victories for Killeen Tom and Annes Honcho.

Raving Black, a short-head runner-up to Droopys Kez in the Northern Puppy Derby, franked the form by setting the standard in Sunday's Sussex Puppy Trophy heats at Hove. He is a warm favourite now for Sunday's final.

Linda Jones, the former champion trainer, has been named as a director of Save Our Stow Ltd., the company formed to continue to battle to re-start racing at Walthamstow.

SOS Ltd. last week urged London & Quadrant, the housing association who are the new owners of the land which houses the iconic track, to "name its price" for the track which a consortium including L&Q are believed to have paid the Chandler family £23.5m for.
One source said: "They've taken a hit already in the present economic climate, do not plan to build on it, and must be losing money. We are ready to take it and have disclosed to them details of our financiers and an investment consultancy company ready to handle the sale."
The story, it seems, will continue.