Sky Previews / Darrell Williams / 10 August 2009 / Leave a comment

The Wimbledon Puppy Derby remains one of the strongest races of the year and Tuesday's final, the highlight of an eight race live Sky Sports programme, has the potential to be one of the very best, writes Darrell Williams.

"While Deanridge Rage is likely to be stalking the leader, it’s more than a two dog race, with Farloe Razl and Westmead Logan both likely to play their parts."

Deanridge Rage, who having made his debut in the heats, got within a single spot of the track-record in the semi-finals. Yet for all that, in such a high class renewal, Dean Childs' runner is no certainty to claim the prize, particularly as he has been drawn outside fast-starting Blood Of Kings. Julie Bateson's charge had already proved his worth when running up to Jogadusc Ace in the all-aged Classic final at Sunderland last month, and with splits of 379 and a remarkable 372 in the semi-final, he looks set to control the early fractions.

On that basis, and with a brace of 2762 clockings in the two rounds to date, he should be a strong candidate to win the race, but I'm not convinced his stamina will last out in such a fierce contest. While Deanridge Rage is likely to be stalking the leader, it's more than a two dog race, with Farloe Razl and Westmead Logan both likely to play their parts. Drawn as the sole wide seed, Charlie Lister's Farloe Razl, long since touted as his next superstar, has enjoyed mixed fortunes in his career so far, and it's Westmead Logan that interests me slightly more.

Sent to this race in preference to the more obvious Henlow equivalent, Nick Savva's runner, who has only just returned to the track after a three month layoff, ran a stormer in a troubled race behind Deanridge Rage in the semi-finals, and with that rival likely to allow him plenty of racing room, he may just be the value in a red hot affair, although in fairness it is really a race that you could quite easily watch without a bet!

With so many other competitions in progress, the supporting card is average by Wimbledon Sky card standards, but the hurdles clash (9.10) between Platinumlancelot, Bomber Bailey and Nebuchadnezzar looks a stormer. There was only a short-head between the first two named in a dramatic clash over the CD last month, with Bomber Bailey, who made a race costing error at the final flight, perhaps unlucky not to have beaten his rival, who bids for a remarkable 11th win on the spin. The wider draw for 'Bailey' however is a concern, and while recently returned Nebuchadnezzar can improve for his recent Hove win, I see no reason to desert Platinumlancelot.

The Ladies race (9.25) features recent Crayford Rose Bowl winner Ardbeg Kate, whose trial reads well enough, but I do have concerns that the 480m trip will stretch her stamina, and I'd rather side with Plan, who remains unbeaten in three tries at the circuit.

I did consider taking on Brimardon Star in the six bend race (8.35) given his 1/6 record over six bends at the track, but after a track-record victory at Sittingbourne last week, I think he'll have too much class for the opposition, the bulk of whom are top grade local runners.

Despite an absence going back to May, I'm also keen on Outandgoodnight (8.50), who has already won two competitions this season for Mark Grady, and can thwart the hat-trick attempt of Carden Bert, who has won on the last two Sky cards, but is untried at this track.

Tags: Deanridge Rage, Farloe Razl, Greyhounds Betting, Greyhounds Puppy Derby, Westmead Logan, Wimbledon Greyhounds Racing