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Fear Zafonic lands the spoils in East Anglian Derby final
Sep 17th
Fear Zafonic (1-3 favourite) pulled off the anticipated result at Yarmouth on Thursday night to credit Charlie Lister with his eleventh East Anglian Derby title after clocking a flying time of 27.46sec over the 462m trip.
Five-times Derby winner Lister achieved a remarkable 1-2-3 in the feature race 12 months ago, a treble which was headed by Zafonic who now becomes the first dog in over 30 years to have made a successful title defence in the classic.
The GBGB’s 2009 Greyhound of the Year pinged from the trap three box and was matched for pace from Liz McNair’s Roo Come On in the red jacket to the turn, but the strong black showed great desire to clear all rivals after a burst of acceleration which saw him score by almost six lengths.
Second place was snapped up by 25-1 shot in the striped-jacket’ Ocean Star who also delivered early pace but found it a tough task to keep up with the favourite, clocking 27.91.
Lister had previously spoken of the possibility of Zafonic retiring after the competition, but considering his current form, some hope was provided that the owners may change there mind, but part-owner Simon Wooder made the announcement shortly after the race that they would be sticking to the original plan. I guess it’s the perfect send off for such a fantastic dog.
Fear Zafonic can land double at Yarmouth tonight
Sep 16th
Fear Zafonic looks to have recaptured his deadly form after producing untouchable performances so far in the Betfair East Anglian Derby which reaches its final stage tonight (9.45) at Yarmouth over 462m – will the defending champion be able to produce a double and bag trainer Charlie Lister his eleventh title?
Well, providing there are no unforeseen disasters on the break, the odds reflect a good representation of how much you should fear the trap three starter, if you decide to bet against him. Zafonic has been absolutely smashing over the course and distance, successfully managing to break the track record on two occasions en route to tonight’s final.
The trap three draw works well for the greyhound of the year, who also produced a victory from the same trap last year and is likely to deliver a repeat performance and become the first dog in over 30 years to make a successful title defence in the classic.
Speaking to the Racing Post , Lister said: “It was originally the plan to retire him after this, but you’d have to say he has never been better, he loves it here and is the defending champion.”
While the defending champion’s claims may be strong, there is a significant amount of early pace present in the field and if Zafonic fails to bring his running boots he may find himself chasing Roo Come On, who occupies trap one and has real pace.
Another charge who could bag connections with the £17,000 winner’s prize is this year’s Juvenile winner Ten Large down, who came into the event fresh but will have to produce a slick exit in the black jacket to hold any chances of any title claims.
After taking stats into consideration, celebrations are expected to be on the horizon for the odds on favourite.
Betfair East Anglian Derby final – 9:45pm
T1Roo Come On (10-1), T2 Guinness Time (10-1), T3 Fear Zafonic (4-9), T4 Ten Large Down (7-1), T5 Chicago Prince (16-1), T6 Ocean Star (w) (20-1)
Bettor.com selection: 3 – 4 – 1
Tyrur Big Mike eyes up Irish Laurels
Sep 15th
The Pat Hennerty Irish Laurels, which gets underway on Friday at Curraheen Park received a huge boost after Ireland’s leading owner PJ Fahy decided to enter this year’s Irish Derby runner-up Tyrur Big Mike in the €35,000 classic.
Big Mike, who’s in excellent form at the moment, has become the highest-profile greyhound in Ireland, although he now obviously shares that slot with his Derby winning litter brother Tyrur McGuigan, who Fahy had originally planned to enter instead.
Fahy contacted Curraheen Park on Monday morning to add Big Mike to his list of entries which consist of Tyrur Enda, Tyrur Bucko and Tyrur Lucky.
Fahy said: “We are not entering him with big-time expectations as Tyrur Enda is really our top dog. But at the end of the day you have to let your big dogs run and the sponsors, who are putting up big money, deserve to see the big names contesting their competitions.”
In total there will be 84 hopefuls attempting to triumph in the 525-yard competition which will have its opening round heats split across two days, with the first six heats taking place this Friday and the remaining eight to be run on Saturday.
This year’s Laurels is going to be a very hot one, and no easy task for the Tyrur kennels, who will be up against a high-class field including the likes of Tullymurry Act, Sevenheads Bay, Colorful Champ, Kiowa Myth, Mesedo Blue, Pablo Supreme, Sheepwalk Mac, St Louis Spirit, Tyrur Bucko, Carib King, Romeo Impact, Burn Em Up, Kevins Star, De Ex Factor, Tranquil Time and Da Dancer.
The first three from each heat will qualify and also the six fastest finishing fourth.
Irish Laurels first round heats:
Friday heats:
Heat one: Headleys Mentor; 2 Lassa Extreme; 3 Ar Kid; 4 Dusky Luck; 5 Cool Model; 6 Guitar Moment (m).
Heat two: 1 Tubbertelly Dubh; 2 Faypoint Dave; 3 Killacolla Pride; 4 Paradise Casino; 5 Boherash Torres; 6 Yes Boss (m).
Heat three: 1 Took The Okee; 2 Kiowa Myth; 3 Farran Crash; 4 Gringos Verlingo; 5 Burn Em Up (m); 6 Soldier Laddie (m).
Heat four: 1 Lystoll Oak; 2 Homers Vision; 3 Pablo Supreme; 4 Da Dancer; 5 Mellery Blue; 6 Cool Mac (m).
Heat five: Ballymac Mitsy; 2 Sion Swift; 3 Kevins Star; 4 Belvedere Champ; 5 Broadstrand Lad; 6 Kid Billzer.
Heat six: 1 Witches Peter; 2 Droopys Sastre; 3 Castlelyons Ralf; 4 Romeo Impact; 5 Marked Urgent; 6 Ambitious Vinny.
Saturday heats:
Heat seven: 1 Bua Dearg; 2 Killorane Boy; 3 Royal Tornado; 4 Belindas Lee; 5 Cowboys Creek; 6 Jonny Whitesox (m)
Heat eight: 1 Paddy The Joker; 2 Mays Checker; 3 Dalcash Cardosa; 4 Tranquil Time; 5 Sheepwalk Mac (w); 6 Noelles Kido (w).
Heat nine: 1 Skip One; 2 Smooth Lad; 3 Kilmalady Torres; 4 De Ex Factor; 5 Mesedo Blue (m); 6 Ocean Crash (m).
Heat 10: 1 Mileheight Crash; 2 Beaming Dilemma; 3 Tailteann Kewell; 4 Tyrur Bucko; 5 Barefoot Admiral; 6 St Louis Spirit (m).
Heat 11: 1 Barnbrook Again; 2 Butterbridge Sue; 3 Leeview Jet; 4 Yeah Richie; 5 Postman Damian; 6 Tyrur Big Mike (m).
Heat 12: 1 Tullymurry Act; 2 Honchos Key; 3 Tyrur Lucky; 4 Noelles Hero; 5 Croom Star; 6 Polemico (m).
Heat 13: 1 Paid Paddy; 2 Lisacaha Jeanie; 3 Corporate Attack; 4 Sheepwalk Maeve; 5 Sevenheads Bay; 6 Castleyons Patk (w).
Heat 14: 1 Colorful Champ; 2 Carib King; 3 Fleetwood Nick; 4 Shiloh Sublime; 5 Tyrur Enda; 6 Droopys Zorro.
Champion Stakes Final at Romford: Gamble on the six dog
Sep 8th
Coral Champion Stakes Final: Who will triumph tonight at Romford? The £10,000 Coral Champion Stakes final (575m) which gets underway at Romford tonight (9.45pm) remains very wide open after a series of shock results and surprise eliminations throughout the opening two rounds. Each finalist is potentially capable of triumphing tonight but who will it be?
Trap one: Kildallon Bound (7-2)
Kildallon Bound, whose career kicked off to a poor start in April, has managed to turn things around recently and become one of the top bitches in her class.
Bound has picked up nine victories from her last 11, from which she also bagged connections the Puppy trophy at Nottingham and at Hove in July.
Trained under Pat Cowdril, she currently claims the fastest time clocked out of the finalist (25.20sec) in the competition and has clocked up an impressive run at Romford even though being denied victory in last week’s semis by Bubbly Verdasco.
The speedy trapper is drawn with the ideal red jacket, leaving her in a good position to pay punters dividends if she can bring the same early pace as in the opening heats.
Another key will be to avoid any collisions from trap two star’ Raving Black.
Trap two: Raving Black (7-2)
The recent winner of the Cesarwitch at Oxford and Rose Bowl at Romford is one hound which has led the ante-post market purely because of his credentials and experience over the track and trip.
Unfortunately, the Seamus Cahill-trained charge has yet to break from the boxes in his best fashion, but tipsters are certain that he will recoup losses tonight.
A victory for Cahill tonight could also well seal his first Champion Trainer title as he would go well clear at the top of the table standings.
Black will need to outpace T1 and T3 to the first bend to score.
Trap three: Bubbly Verdasco (4-1)
Don’t let the so-called coffin box trap three draw put you off from backing this early pacer, who is yet unbeaten and fairly quick.
Trainer Paul Young will be doubly represented tonight, but his star in the white jacket looks the one to back out of his duo.
Verdasco is another greyhound that’s quite familiar with the course and distance and is priced a lot higher than you would expect.
He’s one with a strong chance.
Trap four: Bourne Masons (5-1)
Champion trainer Mark Wallis will be hoping for Bourne Masons to bring the same running boots with him as he did in last week’s semi-finals when setting the fastest time of the night (35.54sec).
Although he doesn’t quite take the eye as a winner in this line-up, and if he fails to break he will definitely struggle.
Wallis will be hoping for either T4 or T6 to prevail, not just for the spoils, but to put him within reasonable range in the current Champion Trainer standings, in which trainer Cahill currently leads.
Trap five: Centurion Enry (6-1)
Centurion Enry had a good opening run when clocking 35.38sec, but was beaten in the semis as a favourite to Masons, who scored by over two lengths.
It will be a battle between the orange jacket and stripes, and if either can take the early command, a big price will surely be paid.
Trap six: All That Noise (12-1)
All That Noise landed something of a shock in taking last week’s opening semi final heat for Wallis in trap to line fashion as he led home hot favourite Raving Black, who found early trouble.
Many have already ruled him out; suggesting a lot of luck will be required.
But I quite fancy the striped jacket, who’s housed well, suited with the wide draw and capable of producing good early pace.
The Wallis trained charge who’s the brother of English Derby finalist’ Adageo may very well pay out odds of a staggering 12-1.
Bettor.com prediction: 6 + 3 + 4
Champion Stakes semi-finals action tonight at Romford
Sep 3rd
The Coral Champion Stakes semi-finals take place at Romford tonight. And, with some notable upsets already having taking place in the opening round, picking the winner in the semis is no easy task.
Last Friday’s opening round of the competition saw shock defeats for favourites such as Raving Black, Adageo and Ballymac Rumble ,who all finished third but did qualify for tonight’s round.
If the same is to be expected tonight then I’m afraid betting won’t be any easier, the first semi is the race worth analysing to try make a wager after trainer Diane Henry announced yesterday that Honey Trampas is out lame, leaving trap six vacant.
Raving Black has been drawn in the trap two box again in the opening semi as a 11-10 favourite, and has had his chances of paying dividends boosted due to Trampas being withdrawn. The Seamus Cahill-trained charge recently won the Cesarwitch at Oxford and also claimed the Rose Bowl over course and distance and has to be my selection. Let’s hope he brings his running boots.
Milwards Dream ran a blinder last week when claiming the opener in 35.95sec to beat favourite Lolos Schillagi by over a length. The Paul Young-trained tracker goes into the second semi as a 5-1 shot with a fairly respected record and is known to break well, but I have to say I fancy Centurion Enry (6-4) who will be making a trap four start.
The second semi has other notable hounds such as 2009 Essex Vase finalist Bourne Mason and also Lenson Maymay who has been gifted with a suited wide trap draw. Both are capable of scoring.
The final semi is arguably the toughest of three, with three of last week’s winners added with some top class greyhounds. Farloe Titan was the pace setter in the first round when clocking 35.06sec and goes into the final semi as a 2-1 favourite, which is a great price if he brings the same form, but I’m not so convinced.
English Derby finalist Adageo, who’s handled by champion trainer Mark Wallis, is the selection for me. He boasts a solid form over course and distance and any inside crowding will provide the perfect gateway of opportunity to take full advantage.
The top two from each semi will secure a place in next Wednesday’s £10,000 final, which will be shown live on Sky Sports.
Coral Champion Stakes Semi-Finals draw:
First semi-final (8.48):
T1 Extremely Ard (3-1), T2 Raving Black (11-10), T3 Slick Saxon (5-1), T4 Lolos Schillagi (9-2), T5 All That Noise (11-2), T6 Vacant
Bettor.com selection: 2-3-1
Second semi-final (9.04):
T1 Murlens Fantasy (6-1), T2 Millwards Dream (5-1), T3 Bourne Masons (9-2), T4 Centurion Enry (6-4), T5 Broadstand Bill (8-1), T6 Lensons Maymay (7-2)
Bettor.com selection: 4-2-6
Third semi-final (9.20):
T1 Ballymac Rumble (9-2), T2 Kildallon Bound (9-2), T3 Bubbly Verdasco (6-1), T4 Swift Tinto (10-1), T5 Farloe Titan (2-1), T6 Adageo (9-4)
Bettor.com selection: 6-1-5
Brett Lee is dead
Sep 2nd
The legendry greyhound Brett Lee, arguably the best dog to ever grace Australian tracks, was put down on Sunday some weeks after suffering complications arising from an injury he sustained while running around the yard in his kennels.
The son of Gun Law Osti and Sobbing Sal broke an incredible six track records in his 39 starts, from which he claimed 31 wins and rewarded connections with a total of Aus$405,106 in prize money.
Lee also went on to becoming a leading sire worldwide with his offspring having had a massive impact on the Irish scene and in the week the great dog passed away, his son Tyrur Big Mike is a strong favourite to win the Irish Derby at Shelbourne Park, a classic that was won by another son, Razldazl Billy, four years ago.
Owner Keith Pedrana said: “He’s the fastest dog in the world but he’s actually a better sire than he was a race dog so that’s going to live on a long time for all of us. Sunday was a tough day for all of us; my family were very close to the dog”.
Pedrana recalled the dog’s final days: “I let him out in the morning and he was running up and down in the yard and it must have been a bit dewey and he slipped and done his shoulder. The vet wanted to put him down when he first suffered the injury but I just wanted to do everything I could for him to get him right but in the end it just wasn’t to be. I thought I had a good three or four years left in him – he would have turned 12 in January.”
Another son of Lee’s, Shaneboy Lee, has been officially launched on his stud career after owner Denis Kiely confirmed that the dog has been retired due to injuries that have plagued him this year.
He will be standing at the Kiely kennels in Ballymac, Kilmallock.
Walthamstow: L&Q continue with proposed plans
Aug 12th
The chances of racing returning to Walthamstow in the near future has started to look bleak, as site owners London & Quadrant take the step to appoint new architects’ Conran & Partners to continue with the proposed redevelopment of the site.
L&Q has handed the appointed architects a brief to design houses, parks, play areas and new leisure facilities, which they plan on submitting by the end of the year.
The group parted ways with its previous partners, Yoo Capital, after the architects failed to meet a deadline to obtain planning permission earlier in March.
Millionaire businessman Bob Morton met with L&Q last month to discuss a potential takeover bid to bring racing back to Walthamstow. Morton described the meeting as “constructive”, but the group’s actions suggest that no viable offer to re-introduce greyhound racing has been received.
Steve Yianni, regional director at L&Q said: “Conran & Partners has continually proved itself to be an architecture practice that produces a sense of place and identity with its designs.
“For a locally significant scheme like Walthamstow Stadium, we recognise the need for a design that integrates with the community and helps meet the housing challenge that Waltham Forest faces.”
“Our plans are for a housing led development that Walthamstow can be proud of. We have reassured local MPs that should an alternative offer come in for the site then we will consider it carefully, but so far no viable offer has been received.”
Mark Wallis trained Eye Eye Pickle faces early retirement
Jul 28th
In another blow for Imperial kennels, who not so long ago were forced to retire star dog Eye Onthe Storm due to an injury sustained at the English Derby, Eye Eye Pickle’s career has now also come to a premature end.
Eye Eye Pickle, the March 2007 son of Droopys Kewell and Cherry Sparkler, ran a total of 45 races under champion trainer Mark Wallis, winning on 18 occasions.
He was forced to retire after picking up an injury during a trial at Yarmouth last week.
Owners Peter and Aaron Goddard were present to watch him and it became obvious that Pickle, who at the time looked likely to record something special on the clock, had sustained a broken hock.
Trainer Wallis said in the Racing Post: “It’s a real blow for our kennel and for the owners of the dog. He’d done a great trial at Sittingbourne recently and was going to clock a pretty decent time at Yarmouth until he broke down.
“Eye Eye Pickle won plenty of races for us, and we’ll always remember the night he beat the Derby winner Bandicoot Tipoki by half-a-length during the Trainers’ Championship meeting at Doncaster.
“The vet has fixed the injury, but one thing’s certain, he’ll enjoy a good retirement.”
Pickle’s biggest prize in his racing career came after just nine races as he went on to bag The Greyhound Stud Book Trophy at Monmore over 480m to award connections with £2500.
The multiple open-race winner ends his career with an estimated total earnings of £9,050.
Bettor Dot Com travels to Brighton & Hove for Sussex Cup
Jul 15th
Bettor Dot Com will be travelling to Brighton and Hove greyhound stadium to represent connections in tonight’s opening heats of the Coral Sussex Cup over 515m.
The Sussex Cup will be his first category-one challenge and Guildford-based trainer Tony Lucas believes that his youngster stands every chance in claiming his first trophy.
The £10,000 winner’s prize on offer has also attracted some well-known runners who don’t fall short of experience. Whether it will be the decisive factor in the competition remains to be seen.
Bettor Dot Com may only have run six races to date but don’t let that be a put off. The August 2008 puppy has already shown that he’s quite capable of competing with the big boys and can produce results.
His development over the course and distance has been really progressive, producing two wins from three at Hove and setting a fastest time of 29.96sec, a time which in my opinion will only keep improving.
Drawn in heat three (20:34) tonight, he will be up against Head Iton Ellis who clocked 29.97sec in his last run at the track, and has a notably good record in the competition in the past few seasons.
Ballymac Rumble is another experienced dog who will be running. He may have suffered a defeat from Bettor Dot Com last week, but still remains a big threat.
You can back Bettor Dot Com at 6-1 to win tonight, an early break from trap five, which sees him clear Courtcroft Jet, would most likely see him pay dividends or at least produce a top-three finish.
Draw for Sussex Cup heat three (20:34):
T1 – BALLYMAC RUMBLE
T2 – HEAD ITON ELLIS
T3 – RAODSTAND BILL (M)
T4 – GREENACRE JOSH (M)
T5 – BETTOR DOT COM (W)
T6 – COURTCROFT JET (W)
Final six greyhounds in the Williamhill.com English Derby
May 23rd
It is nearly that time of year where you get the opportunity to capture greyhound racings finest performance, one which will be marked in the history books, one which will make the winners connections £75,000 more well off, one which will also provide further recognition to a trainer and is set to be staged at Wimbledon next Saturday- yes you guessed it, it’s none other than the English Greyhound Derby which finally has its six potential winners.
The Derby began at the end of April, with the opening round having to be stretched across three days due to the increased numbers of entrants (217). The final six have had to obtain a top three finish in their last five races to reach this stage and I can tell you that it’s become a very difficult decider after John McCririck picked out the draw live on Sky Sports.
T1 – Oran Classic (8-1) The first of three Irish trained greyhounds to be running in the final next week has been given the trap one box, a box from which he started his Derby campaign and finished second with a rather sluggish time of 29.41sec. He has since learnt to adapt through the mid and I could see him creating problems for Lyreen Mover early on in the race. Trainer John McGee landed Derby success over 20 years ago in the form of Hit The Lids, it’s possible that his Classic, who was also nominee for 2009 Dog of the year in the Irish awards may make it his second. Classic has an average track time of 28.93sec over the five races at Wimbledon and if things work out like they say they do on paper – then it will be last for him – but in greyhound racing they hardly ever work out that way.
T2 – Lyreen Mover (4-1) European Derby Winner Lyreen Mover is yet to be beaten in the competition, although was very close last night in the semi-finals prevailing by one spot (0.01) over Classic. The Hungarian raider has produced his best time of 28.58sec from trap two and will be eager to obtain his undefeated streak in the UK. For all you superstitious punters backing Mover, its okay, his avoided the so called jinxed trap one box, which has failed to win a Derby in 25 years.
T3 – Bandicoot Tipoki (5-1) Charlie Lister has already had his name imprinted in the record books being a four time Derby winner. He shares the record of most Derby victories at Wimbledon with trainer Nick Savva, who’s Westmead Scolari, was eliminated last night in the Semi finals.
Can Charlie make further history by making it his fifth?
Bandicoot Tipoki last made a trap thee start when he set the new track record in the opening round, clocking an amazing time of 28.26sec, which was later beaten by one spot (0.01) in the third round by Toomaline Jack. Tipoki has an average track time of 28.53sec which is near enough equal to the favourite; his last major success was in the Williamhill.com Steel City Cup held at Sheffield in August which would make him about due for another big win.
T4 – Krug Ninety Five (10-1) Krug Ninety Five is the second Irish trained Derby hopeful who had a fantastic few opening rounds, managing to rise to the top in races which saw key players such as Eye Onthe Storm and Fear Zafonic become eliminated.
The Fraser Black trained charge has improved on each time being drawn with a mid trap, trap four should suit him well but my concern is whether he has the ability to keep up with the competition when the trap lids get flipped, he definitely is a capable winner but may need some luck on his side.
T5 – Toomaline Jack (4-5favourite) Toomaline Jack is the third to represent the Irish in the English Derby – his had an absolute magnificent Derby campaign so far. The Dolores Ruth trained charge has come out first on each occasion, equalling the same record as Hungarian Mover, who was originally an Irish trained greyhound to, maybe it’s an Irish thing. The only difference which sets them apart is the time on the board. Jack is the current track record holder (28.25sec) and has set the fastest track time in the last three meetings. The suited wide runner has been gifted with trap five, although trainer Ruth did say she would have preferred trap six. There is no flaw that I can point out with this greyhound; he may possibly face problems being beside Mark Wallis’ Adageo in trap five who is also a wide runner. The plan would ultimately be to produce a good break and avoid any early bumps and although Adageo is the outsider, his known to be unpredictable and we all know what happened in last year’s Derby final.
T6 – Adageo 50-1 Adageo was probably the most unlikely candidate from Mark Wallis’s Imperial kennel to be sitting in the William Hill Greyhound Derby Finals but deserves his place after some bold runs. Wallis is once again being represented by the underdog who’s returns are mouth watering – Adageo has been drawn with a suited trap six, but does he have enough fuel in his tank to burn? Kinda Ready (25-1) gave Wallis his first Derby success last year, a race which brings me to tears, having failed to back him – Do you believe in Déjà vu? Whether you do or not, its worth putting a fiver on him just to be safe.
Bettor.com Predictions
5 + 2 + 3