An Apology . . . And A Very Good Story!

(Yet Another) Tipping Shambles!

First and foremost, the tipping was a shambles, I'll be honest. Fortunately Perles Minaj just managed to hold on to land me just a smidgin of dignity. All I can do is hang my head in shame!

Still, the good news coming out of the day was that we well and truely trounced the opposition! I must say, and I think I speak for several people on this, that I wasn't expecting such a points margin lead coming out of the home leg. I thought that about 20/25 points would've been pretty handy. However, a 47 point lead?! That 'should' be pretty unassailable. We need to grab the bull by the horns now and make sure we get to Perry Barr on the 23rd December!

On the last count we have upwards of 20 dogs going to Oxford for trials, from a mix of trainers for all the distances. It's vital that we get a look round those tight tracks, as we cant afford to drop points. I'm not trying to be negative, because to be honest I think we've won the group already, but we need to send a signal to the other teams!

Fortunately, I should think Team Manager Oseman has a rather difficult selection headache to contend with. The team ran exceptional in the home leg yes, but in fairness there are several other outstanding candidates that could be in the team. Admittedly, it's a brilliant position to be in, but the call's got to me made right. Remember aswell, that at Perry Barr we'll only have one representative per race, over a selection of 10 races (updated 16:21), so we've got to make them count.

I hope to be attending the trial session on Monday to see how our contenders fair round there. After that it's all systems go to the next round next Friday (amazing it's coming round so quick!)

And now, for a completely unrelated, yet very brilliant story .......

Ardera Bit

Now this was made aware to me about two weeks ago from Brian Hough of the Porter camp, and of course Mr. P himself. 

Bit, aptly named due to a bite she received from a litter mate as a pup, was recently put up for auction at a Sports Auction in Calne. All the money raised from the auction went to McMillan Nurses. She was purchased for the sum of £350 by long-standing owner John Beer, and John Jones.

It was decided that, to support McMillan even further, that Bit would literally run for charity. So, over a year's period, beginning in September 2012 running to August 2013, the owners have decided that all prize and run money earned by Bit will go straight to McMillan nurses. To back up this generous offer, Darryl Porter (trainer) is also training Bit for no kennel fee whatsoever, to ensure that all the prize money goes straight to charity.

I think this is a rather brilliant cause, and what a genius way to support a charity. It is hoped that a greyhound coat supplier will come on board to create a special coat for Bit to wear on parade, hopefully providing maximum coverage. Fingers crossed they could get Bit wearing the coat on the BAGS, to really give the campaign some oomph. 

I must say a big well done to all connected with Bit, as I think this really is a marvelous thing to do for an equally excellent charity.

The BAGS Track Championship - Home Leg Preview

So, the teams are in place, and tomorrow is the start of our group. Already there has been some cracking race from Belle Vue, and tonight see's Sittingbourne's home leg, with plenty of competition already. Here is my preview of tomorrow's races, being as un-biased as possible!

16:27 - BAGS Track Championship Puppies
My Pick - Aspiration - NAP

This first race, I feel, lands us a big win. Aspiration, trained by Matt Dartnall, ran a really good race last time out against and impressive Perles Minaj, and has recent good success in A2. His record for a puppy is mightly impressive. In this race, he's the only wide seed, so he should get a solo round the outside. His late pace will win him this one.

I do feel, however, there will be a total points challenge from Poole, particularly from trap 1 Droopys Bass. Jo Burridge trains this pup who has a decent record in top grade round Poole, posting a best time of 26.90 there. He looks to be a tailor made Swindon with a running on style, however the lack of a trial is a concern. Poole's other greyhound Ide Blizzard looks a progressive sort, and is ripe out of season for a good run. 

To me, the Oxford dogs are a tad weak in this. The best of the two, by a mile, is Old Codger. Richard Baker gave this dog a look round last week, and you think he should come on for the run.

My Trio: 6-1-2

One point that will probably be hit home more than any in this blog is the lack of trials that the competition has. It's something that I think will affect them drastically, but is something that we must not let happen to ourselves. Trials are a must in my opinion.

16:47 - BAGS Track Championship Standard
My Pick - Droopys Harris

Obviously, a Swindon 1-2 would be ideal! However, I was really impressed with this dog after he ran in a 509m maiden a couple of weeks back. He looks a tailor made stayer really, but having a couple of looks round the track will certainly benefit. He also looks to be the best draw dog in the race, as Primo Ryan really doesn't want to be out in 3.

The way I've read the race is that Mercurial Lady will be a pace-setter here. She has oodles of early pace, and if she can charge her way to the front early it'll take a good dog to catch her. My theory is that Harris will latch on to her at the 3rd, whether he can get by however is another story!

As for the other runners, Sierra Lobo rather disappointed me in his trial round Blunsdon, and doesn't look to be of the calibre of some of the other runners. Knockman Sal, again, falls in this bracket. Glencarra Wizard ran here in an Intertrack, and was a touch disappointing. However, his recent romp up in A1 down at Poole can't be underestimated.

To me, however, Primo Ryans surge of early pace could see the adverse trapdraw become not so much of a problem. When he gets it right, he's an absolute machine. We've just got to hope that he gets it right on Friday!

My Trio: 2-5-3

17:07 - BAGS Track Championship Bitches
My Pick - Perles Minaj - NB

Minaj looks to me to be a stand out here. Ray Jones' bitch ran a stormer in her last race, powering through to beat Aspiration. Her early pace is phenomenal, and when she has the sub 2.40 trapping boots on, she'll take some beating. I think that this race is actually easier than the A1 she won last time, so realistically it should be easy pickings for her. She's also got a cracking draw, slap bang in the middle.

To be honest I think the forecast link is our Shelbourne Nat. She's capable of running on strong, and has a fairly recent 28.79 on her card. That would have normally been good enough to win this heat without Minaj in it.

I think that, of the outside entries, the best of then is the 6 dog, Droopys Yvonne. However, I must say that the competition isn't really particularly hot. 

My Trio: 3-2-6

17:22 - BAGS Track Championship Sprint
My Pick - What A Disciple

Again, without having my pro-Swindon head on, I think Poole could do well in this race. Although our dogs have the best draws, I think What A Disciple looks a class act. Not quite seeing out the 450 at Poole, he trialled on here in a cracking 16.40. For a first look, thats pretty impressive. The only issue I can foresee is having the 4 middle runners. There could, potentially, be some traffic problems.

If there are traffic problems, I think Hoots Mon could pounce here. Kevin Hutton's runner was initially purchased (I should suspect looking at the Irish Card), for sprinting. In his last A1 win he cracked out in a superb 2.33 split, and then backed up those claims by winning a decent sprint trial on Tuesday. The dog should be fresh, and is arguable the best drawn.

Believe it or not, I'm actually going to include an Oxford dog in calculations this time! This is no offence to the track, it's just that I don't feel their team is particularly strong. Adamant Brian for Gilly Hepden has some sprinting form on his card, and looks to be a consistent trapper.

My Trio: 2-6-5

17:38 - BAGS Track Championship Dogs
My Pick: Ice Trooper

Ice trooper really has taken off recently, having won a couple of decent races and posting some good times. He didn't run particularly well last time out, but I reckon he can bounce back and take this race. To me it's all on the draw, and to me he gets a clear passage through the middle, with trap 4 moving right. 

This is a very competitive race, however, with the 1 dog Kilara Harry looking a decent dog. Gilly Hepden's runner ran a belter of a race last time at Oxford, romping up. Although the time isn't all that brilliant, it was the way he won that impressed me. He should be one to watch here.

You have to say that Sligo Mick looks to have a cracking make up here. Again for Kevin Hutton, he's been ultra consistent in A1 company recently, and he looks an out and out points winner for Team Swindon.

My Trio: 3-1-6

17:56 - BAGS Track Championship Stayers
My Pick: Oh Pretty Woman

My head is telling me really to tip up Ardmayle Move. She's become a favourite of mine, showing all round speed over the 6 bends, running on like a steam train. The problem is that the draw is a real stinker, and she's surrounded by early pace. Realistically, I think she's classy enough to outclass the whole field, so should be there or there abouts at the end

It's on the draw alone that I side with Oh Pretty Woman. Ray Evan's charge has been a mega consistent runner for him, having won her last S2 and A2. She doesn't particularly see out the trip that well, and looks more suited to about 640m, but she gives her all in these races. My theory is that the lack of a look round for the outside runners are going to catch them out. The 685m at Swindon don't half take some getting, and I can't help but think that the outsiders have underestimated it a touch. 

Me saying that, my tricast link is Impact Man in trap 5. Bill Black's runner from the south coast ran a brilliant 640 at the back end of September, posting a 39.28, a particularly fast time. He's running at top grade there, and looks as though he'll just see out the trip. He's certainly worth a look 

My Trio: 6-4-5
 

The BAGS/SIS Intertrack - Dogs

First of all, I must say thank you for the brilliant reponse to these blog posts. I've been inundated with people's opinions and who they think, and it's certainly got people talking, which is excellent.

I must also mention a couple of other dogs that I had forgot to mention in previous blogs, that admittedly have put in some good runs recently:

Lady Maud: Obviously for the bitches division, her EP is sublime. Poole and Oxford will be right up her street

Primo Impact: He won a decent D1 on Saturday and looked brilliant for the run. So long as he runs Friday, I think going from a sprint race to a sprint race, rather than switching back to four bends, will mean that he runs even better. I must also say the same for Sparta Johnny. I still stand by him as a choice. The whole running in consecutive sprints argument could also bring up the belief that many sprinters don't miss the break twice!

Wood Bionic: Another pup!!! Darryl Porter's charge, although relatively inexperienced, has been running well recently, and should be a contender.

Right then, off we go with the dogs:

Sligo Mick - Hutton - Top grade performer, also capable of a smash break. I reckon a new track could do wonders for him. Consistent!

Primo Ryan - Stringer - Love this dog, his pace to the bend is superb and, when he's on the bunny, he's a speed machine

Hoots Mon - Hutton - I was amazed to find this dog is still a maiden! Has some cracking times on his card. On the comeback trail.

Ice Trooper - Dartnall - Has made some good progress recently and put in some good performances. 

Eruption - Porter - Recently won the Owner's Bonus Series A2 event. He has cracking early pace, and really loves the rails. Will love the tighter tracks

Riverdale Spiros - Hutton - On the comeback trial after being off the track for some time. Ran really well in winning an A2 last time out. Has the benefit of a previous trial at Poole, I believe he posted 27.10 ish for his first look round.

Black Beach - Hutton - Again, a potential candidate. Cracking dog on the bunny.

There is a big pool of talent we have over the standard trips, so fingers crossed we can field a strong team. The first leg starts this Friday at home, so we need to kick on with a bang.

Just a quick thing aswell. Some comments coming out of these blogs is that the dogs being highlighted are from certain kennels, and is rather biased. I just wanted to clarify where I'm coming from with this blog. I have literally looked at the best dogs that Swindon can field for this competition. Although the competition is on the BAGS service, where we find that all grades run week in, week out, the competition really is designed for those top end dogs that are still maidens. It's in this regard that, realistically, we find that the top end dogs come from specific tracks. It's no secret that the Hutton kennel are 9/10 double-entered for A2's, because they have so many. It's no my fault that certain camps have the majority of the top grade strength. I feel I've used a big pool of trainers as best as I can in looking at potential candidates.

Remember, this Friday, up at Blunsdon. Be there, with your scarfs. hats etc to cheer home Team Swindon!

The BAGS/SIS Intertrack - Bitches

Here we go then with a look at the bitches division. I do think that this is where we are strongest, and certainly where we should be looking at getting out big points.

The joy of our division is that we have a lot of ping-gone type's, but that don't necessarily see out the tough 480m trip at Swindon.

Mercurial Lady - Kevin Hutton
A standout contender here. Lady has just come back from a spell on the sidelines and has come back to compete at top level. She has cracking early pace, and would lead most out of the second bend. She's very game when she's on the bunny, and it will take a good dog to pass her over a good 450m trip. She doesn't quite see out the 480 at Swindon, so the step down at other tracks will be ideal. Getting a couple of good trials into her is a must. I also think, if needs must, she could sprint.

Hula Sparkle - John Peterson
If I'm allowed to say my particular favorites, one of this is Hula Sparkle. John Peterson's bitch again struggles to deal with the tough 480 at Swindon, but again would do wonders over a 450m distance. She has some cracking early pace, and again it'll take a good dog to lead her. 

Active Lark - Kevin Hutton
Our little gem from last year's intertrack. Larkie is still running at the very top of her game, winning her last two A2's. Amazingly, she looks like she's running on alot stronger in her elder years, whereas she always used to be an EP machine. She's got to be a contender for us, especially after winning at Oxford last year!

Tarty Toes - John Peterson
Seems as though JP and KH are dominating here! Believe me, I have others! Tarty Toes is another EP merchant, running in some really good A2's at Swindon. She's been open racing at Coventry and Oxford, so she has the benefit of a look round (and, in fairness, I'm told a very good run considering). 

Kays To Blame - Alan McDowell
When on her game, Blame is an absolute machine, and will take all the catching. She most recently picked up a huge win in A2, posting 28.82. Since then she hasn't been in her best form, however a freshen up at Poole or Oxford might do the trick!

Perles Minaj - Ray Jones
Minaj has had a terrific start to her career on English soil. Again, a big early pace runner, she has shot up the grades to A1, posting some great times in the process. Her split times are brilliant, and again should be a big runner in this competition.


Color Card - Sonia Hughes
Although she isn't running at her top form at the moment, shes a cracking early pace bitch. Card looks to be really itching for a shorter trip, and the 450 circuits look ideal for her. Again, she's a hard bitch to pass in front

This is my main list of contenders, although there are plenty more that could do a brilliant job for us. One I will quick a quick mention to is Forest Mollie, who seems to have people talking at Swindon. She's won her last two A1's in some style and looks a classy bitch. The reason I haven't included her on the list is that, I'll be honest, the Oaks has to be on her radar over this competition.

I'll look to cover the dogs in the coming week. Remember, it's a week Friday that the competition starts (amazing it's come round so quickly!), so lets get off to a bang next week.

And yes, I most certainly got my lists mixed up with Black Beach! (Thanks Mr. Hutton!)

Happy Punting!

Chris.

The BAGS/SIS Intertrack - Puppies

Now this has been rattling my brain all week. I've been really trying to gather together a good list of pups that could run for us, and I must say the list isn't particularly long.

For this, I've literally looked at what we have available at the moment that is running on the card. I figure that, for the first round, there can be an extra graded run or so. Genuinely, our puppy strength is pretty poor.

It will be a problem, no doubt, for the majority of tracks as there is an obvious decline in the number of new dogs being bought in. Still, it provides a headache for the Team Leader nonetheless.

Just a reminder about the criteria:

> Pups must be December '10 or younger.
> Must be OR maidens.
> Must have 5 graded races.

Downton Flyer - Matt Dartnall
To me, this is the absolute stand out of the pups we have running at Swindon. Flyer has, quite literally, been flying up the grades, and has posted some truly brilliant times to get up to A1 grade. In this last race, however, he hit the rails into the bend, I hope he hasn't come off sore, as this could be a massive blow to our chances.

Shelbourne Louie - Brian King
Brian's runner here Shelbourne Louie looks to also be a handy contender for the division. The good thing about the dog is that he has previously run at Oxford in graded company, reaching A2 there. He's perhaps not a top grade dog, but he fits the bill!

Lady Jayne - Matt Dartnall
Another contender for the Dartnall camp here in Lady Jayne. Hopefully she's hitting her form at the right time, as she ran a super race on Friday night, winner by over 4 lengths. 

Sharp Exit - Paul Foster
Admittedly not really suited to Poole or Oxford, Exit has been sprinting in the last couple of weeks to blow some cobwebs off. She'll need one more graded run before she's eligible, which I think should be on the cards to get her eligible, as she's a credible point stealer for us.

Aside from these four, in all honesty, I'm really struggling to think of pups that will be ready for the start of the competition. You do have some, however, that look pretty decent:

Yoga Man - Matt Dartnall
Matt had better get that van serviced, I think he's going to be needed! Yoga Man ran a really good race on debut last week, showing fab early and posting a good time. However, this was his first race. Ideally you would've wanted to see him yesterday to build the card up a bit, because now it's going to be at least a month until he'll be eligible to run.

Lughill Bryan - Hayley Keightly
Bryan is just trialling on at Swindon, and has produced some really decent times for a youngster (can't think of his age off the top of my head). Again, however, it's the time constraint of the comp now, which means he won't be on in time.

If you have any additional thoughts on the pups at hand, do comment on the blog, or tweet, or facebook me, or even through word of mouth, anyway you wish to comment feel free to do so.

I will be covering the Bitches division in the next blog, which I hope to complete in the middle part of next week. This is the division that I feel we are strongest in.

Remember, Tuesday will be the last trial day before the sprint competition that is due to start next Saturday. The blog last week proved to be a lively talking point, with a real 50/50 split on feelings about it. I think there was also some confusion over my wordings on my feelings. My opinion was that a 2 round, £250 to the winner competition for both Sprinters and Stayers was a good idea, not 3 rounds for the same money. Just to clear that up!

Also, a quick well done to Crinkill Jewell and the Hutton Camp on winning the Kent St. Leger at Crayford last Saturday.

Happy Punting!

Chris Watts

The BAGS/SIS Intertrack - Stayers Division

I want to start this blog in a different fashion, and bring it back to the sprinting division that I covered last time.

This week, the track announced a sprinting competition will take place, with a grand prize of £500 to the winner. The aim is to have a 24 greyhound event over three rounds, with the finalist then, in my mind at least, giving the track a good six greyhounds to work with for the Inter track competition. Although I think the initiative is very good, I must say I do think it would have worked better had the total prize fund were split in half, and instead have two different sweepstakes go ahead. One for sprinters, and the other for stayers. If you made them 18 dog events with the first two through, then again you'd have some decent greyhounds to work with for the competition, but you'd be covering two events. Just a thought.

So, the stayers division. It's a funny division to have to fathom out really. When you think of our stayers, you look at the 685m trip and think you need a greyhound that really see's the distance out well. For the case of the two tracks we're visiting, that isn't necessarily the case. Poole's 640m takes a bit of getting, but like the other trips round there, it relies on an awful lot of early pace to kick round in front. The same can most definitely be said for Oxford's 595m trip, which is right on their 3rd bend, meaning you need a dog with early (preferably a railer) that can get in front early on. This, I feel, makes selecting a team a bit tricky.

What worked well last year was going with someone with relative inexperience. If you can recall last year, Silverton Blaze hadn't been over the trip before apart from a trial, yet was something of a revelation when he bagged the home leg in style. I think this year it's going to be more of the same. I feel we have to look at our 4 bend graded strength and see who could possibly stay on for those few more meters.

The actual stayers division itself at the moment isn't really of the class that is required to bag the points in the competition (remember, my opinion, don't flame me for it!). We haven't ran a decent S1 in a while, and most of our 6 bend races are in the S2 grade, and to be honest amongst them aren't really top class runners.

Here are some runners, however, that I've had a thought about:

Gemstone Billy: Kevin Hutton's runner has been over the 6 bend trip recently, and has shown some decent early over that trip. He's been running against rather hard competition, however, and it's yet to be seen whether in top class he'd be a runner. Another issue may be adjusting to the tracks in question, as he seemed to take a while to settle at Swindon

Bramley Rebel: JP's runner here I reckon could be a little firecracker over a short 6 bends. Rebel ran last night in a maiden at Hove, and while it was only his first look, he took to the track really well, running on for a gallant 2nd. He's consistantly running on well over the 480m trip, and I have an inkling he'd stay well over the 595 and 640 trips. It might well be worth a go.

Marilyns Star: Although maybe not on the tip of everyone's tongues, I reckon Chris Stringer's bitch could be our hidden gem. She's not had alot of racing over here, however she's progressive. She had an OR win in Ireland over the 686m trip, so you expect her to stay well. 

Oh Pretty Woman: I have a real soft spot for Ray Evan's bitch. She doesn't see out the 685m at Swindon, however again over a shorter trip I reckon she'd be a real player. What she is, is a real game bitch, who will give her all in a race. She could be a potential point-stealer for us.

Ardmayle Candy: The Stringer camp seem to have a wealth of talent that can run on strong, and Candy seems to fit the 'under the radar' bill well. She's hit a good patch of form recently, putting in some great times over the 480m and running on with it. Again, worth a punt over a short 6?

Call Poacher: Jim Little's runner looks destined to be a big runner over the 6 bend trip, and ran a really good race over the 685m recently, just being beat by Oneco Jewel. Poacher is also pretty young and progressive, so could be a candidate over the trip for Team Swindon.

Ardmayle Move: Another for Team Stringer here. Move ran a very good S2 race last Saturday, posting 41.70 calc. Again, a progressive sort who could come on over 6 for that run.

There are a few thoughts that I've had about the division. If you have any opinions etc, feel free to post a comment on the bottom of this blog.

Next up I'll be looking at the Standard Puppy division, which looks to be one of the hardest to fathom a team from.

Until then, happy punting!

Chris Watts

The BAGS/SIS Intertrack - Sprinters

I must apologise for the delay in writing this blog. The release of FIFA13 has rather gripped any form of social being that I have, alas I haven't really given myself a time out to write this. However, after a 2-0 defeat by QPR, I though it was time to put the controller down.

As I blogged about last time, there are certain criteria that the greyhounds running in this inter track must achieve:

> Must be OR maidens at the start of the competition, however are able to shift the maiden tag once the competition has started and still be eligible.

> Must have had 5 graded races at Swindon.

Sprinters

First and foremost, I must say I think we would be in a much better position for this competition if we had kept up the sprinting division. The D1's and 2's we were having were very competitive, and just put a bit of 2 bend form on the CV of some of these greyhounds that we know are probably more apt to sprinting than they are seeing out the long 4 bend trip at Blunsdon. It's for this reason that I think Oxford will be at their strongest here, as they run a division and have dogs that sprint week in, week out.

Alas what we are looking for then is consistant trapper with a cracking kick of early. Or are we? I know that in a sprint it tends to be the out and gone merchants that you would be siding with, but there are certain dogs around that don't necessarily trap well, but have bundles of early pace to the bend. Champagne Perry, for example, fluffs the start up a fair bit, however his sheer pace gets him round that bend in front.  As Brucie says, 'Points Mean Prizes', and we should be going for the best position possible.

Here are a couple of runners that could be possible:

Sparta Johnny (Paul Foster): In my opinion, the stand out choice to be our top sprinter. Johnny has picked up a couple of nice wins in Intertracks recently, over the sprint trip, and has posted some decent times. His early pace and trapping is second to none

Unknown Bullet (Pete Swadden): Maybe not people's first thoughts, however he's proven to be a pretty decent trapper. Bullet runs regularly over A2, and has some sprinting experience. Might be worth a pop.

Boozed Aroma (Kevin Hutton): Aroma's a game, middle running bitch, who has some pretty decent times on her card. She ran for us in the Easter Bunny final back in April, and is still proving to be a decent runner in A2. 

The thing with sprinters is that, realistically, anything with that kick of early would be worth a pop. Trials are a must.