Greyhounds News / Editor / 29 November 2009 / Leave a Comment

Wimbledon set for Oaks showdown, Childs aims for trainer of the year spot and a date for you diaries. Read on for all the latest greyhounds news...

Eye On The Storm is likely to have one more run before the year's out.

The brilliant Eclipse winner will run on Oaks final night at Wimbledon on December 15 - because connections feel they have a squeak at the Greyhound of the Year title.

It was thought that Derby second Fear Zafonic was almost a shoo-in for the title, but it appears that is not now the case.

"Had he won the Eclipse, it would have been his," said one greyhound writer. "But victory for Eye On The Storm has thrown it open. It's also helped the likes of Midway Skipper and maybe even sprinter Jimmy Lollie to close the gap. They both won at Nottingham and are finishing the year very strongly."

* * *

The Essex Vase is always keenly contested.

The 575m showpiece at Romford is Sky's penultimate fixture of 2010, and the race has more at stake this year - certainly for one trainer.

Dean Childs, who trains leading contender Go Big Hitter, is hoping a good showing in the decider can help the kennel seal sixth place in the Trainer of the Year standings.

Why? Because the top six trainers are invited to contest the prestigious and lucrative Betfair Trainers' Championship meeting.

A launch in London is followed by an eight-race shoot-out on Sky in the spring.

* * *

What's happening with the Sky deal?

It's a question everyone in the sport is asking just now. But closure is expected later this week after the satellite company is believed to have turned down a request to share the TV rights with a leading bookmaker.

"The GRA do the discussions and seem to have been forced into a corner over sponsorship. Had they gone for the status quo, the deal will have been signed by now. Sky want to cover greyhound racing, they like it.

"However, this has just rocked the boat slightly and the GBGB are ready to step in and perhaps takeover. Even were the GRA to sign a deal for their own tracks only, there is nothing stopping the others getting together and doing their own deals."

The discussions are over a three-year deal for Sky fixtures, which is effectively 30-plus nights of live racing per year.

* * *

Wise Thought is set to have his next race in Ireland. The Martin White-owned runner, third in the Derby to Kinda Ready, has a Shelbourne race as target and will likely be retired after that.

* * *

Greyhound racing lost one of its great supporters over the weekend, following the death of GBGB director Stuart Locke-Hart after a long illness.

As well as representing owners on the Board, he owned the likes of open-racers Freedom Emma and Penn Lacey during 35 years involvement in the sport.

* * *

Platinumlancelot has another track record in his sights, this time at Harlow. The brilliant Jason Foster-trained timber-topper won at the Essex venue last week, having gone under the best-ever figures in a trial. It is hoped second time round the sharp circuit will help him strike gold again, and threaten the clock.

Certain to be crowned Hurdler of the Year at the GBGB Awards, he will be aimed at a race at Wimbledon on Oaks final night.

* * *

Talking of hurdlers, the novice hurdlers' championship, the Springbok, will occupy the minds of owners and trainers very soon. Entries for the race in February can win hurdles races in December now, and still qualify to be among the fastest 36 dogs to contest the first round. Until this year, only those greyhounds who had not won a hurdles race before January would be eligible. The Springbok takes place at Wimbledon.

* * *

Finally, a date for your diaries.

The GBGB Awards, aka the Greyhound of the Year Awards, will take place at the London Hilton Metropole on Sunday, January 31. Tickets are now available via the GBGB.

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