Well, we're at the final stage. It doesn't seem like a day ago we were starting the competition, and now we're already at the end. I think the competition has been quality this year, and although the final isn't perhaps what people thought it would be, I think it's a real head scratcher of a race. There are also 4 other supporting opens that I'll be taking a look at.
19:57 - The SwindonGreyhounds.com Puppy Standard
My Pick: Forest Ronaldo
I'm going to be honest, this is a pretty weak race. For this reason, Forest Ronaldo to me is a stand out winner here. His most recent runs have been awesome, especially the 29.40 at Coventry, which would eclipse most dogs round there at the moment. He's got the red box, and with Paul Foster's other runner a slow starter in two, he'll get a dream run up the rail and win comfortably.
For the places, I'm looking at Hey Diego. Kevin Hutton's dog ran well in the first heat of the Produce Stakes, and really is the only runner with any form of consistent early pace. Also, the 28.98 time would be enough to beat the other runners in this race.
As for the other runners, Sharp Exit has a pretty good trial time for such a youngster, however she hasn't really shown much in racing. I would think she'd be better off going back to graded just to learn her craft. Izzy Handsome in three is a Poole raider, with a pretty swift 26.89 on his card. However, the time hasn't really stood up as he's been beaten in his last two A2's. Canigetawordin looks very much outclassed and out-drawn here, and should be a double figure price. Dead Nick has run really well here in inter-tracks, however this is a different class.
My Pick: 1-5-6 NAP
20:13 - The Stadiauk.com 509er
My Pick: Westmead Adonis
Quite a hard race this one really, but the class of Westmead Adonis should be much greater than the other runners in this. Perfectly drawn in trap one, Nick Savva's charge should win this comfortably, however don't expect much of a price!
Half the difficulty with this race is trying to fathom who's going to get a run as the wide runner. My pick goes with Crusty Crab. Ray Jones' dog is the track record holder and still has good form over this trip. He'll be wanting to avoid the early toe of Forest Bonjo.
To be fair, you can make a case of any of the rest of the field for the places, but to me there's no denying the winner!
My Pick: 1-5-6 NB
20:45 - The Book Six Packs at Stadiauk.com Standard
My Pick: Barnish Booth
Pretty easy race to fathom this one. To me, the rails seeds are literally all over the shot, as no one has their boxes. You'd be wanting to see Midnight in 1, Atlas in 2, Ells in 3 and Hernandez in 4. Instead, they're all over the place, and to be honest I can envisage some trouble on the inside. Hence I'm siding with Barnish Booth. I watched him at Oxford, and he ran a stormer to get 2nd from what seemed a horrible position. He showed good track craft to cut inside at the bend, then move out (I like a dog to have a good racing head). He seems very well drawn here aswell, as the 4 will move in, giving him all the room to get to the bend.
For the place, I'm going to go for a fairly big price runner in Bright Ells. Derrick Davy's runner has put in some very decent runs, and is progressing nicely into a good minor open class bitch. If she can hold her rails position somewhat, she could find herself lying in a decent position, and as she can run on strongly, could be there or thereabouts.
As for the other runners, Hernandez is a dog that, in all honesty, you can't ever back with confidence. If he wants to, he can romp up against this field, however he's not really putting in the runs as of late. Distant Midnight is a Poole raider who posted 26.87 last time out. Again, the trap draw is a bit of a nightmare. Westmead Atlas isn't exactly the best runner in this field, and will be a fairly big price, along with his poor trap draw. Fatboyz Pacquiao is always going to do well here being the sole wide runner, however its a question of whether he's up for the run.
My Pick: 5-1-2
21:17 - The Book The Paddock Bar Stayers
My Pick: Twisted Soul
Cracking race this one, a real belter. I've sided with Twisted Soul in this one. Soul, who has had a few looks round Swindon before, has been storming around Coventry, posting a fab 41.82. She has that kick of early to get to a decent position, but runs on like a steam train. In this race, the fact she's such a strong stayer will be key, as there will be alot of early pace to contend with.
The obviously early in the race will come from Wise Totty. Totty, a recent winner at Poole over their marathon trip, excels over these extended trips, and has some decent runs under her belt. A track record holder at Poole, Totty, I think, will dictate the early pace in this race, it's just a question of whether she can hold off the charges of the other strong runners.
If the early doesn't come from Totty, then no doubt it could come from Fabulous Time or Five Alley Pub. For Time, this is her first time over this trip, and she looks like she could stay quite well. It's a different ball game to 4 bends, however, and she'll need to be in a decent position early, as I can't envisage her coming from behind against the likes of Twisted Soul.
Five Alley Pub has been running very well round Oxford, coming from an impossible position last time and running on well. I reckon this boy could get a short 8 bends with the way he stays so well. If he manages to lead up or get somewhere near, he could be difficult to peg back.
Fabulous Shanty is also worth a mention. She got to the final of the Coral Regency (however was withdrawn lame), and has been running on well in the heats at Swindon. I don't really think she wants trap 1, and she could be had for early pace by the 2 and the 3.
My Pick: 5-3-2
21:49 - The 66th Two Year Old British Bred Produce Stakes Final
My Pick - Peacemaker
What a tough final to fathom! There's a fair few factors to take in here, however I've sided with John Millard's Peacemaker. This son of Daves Mentor won well in both the opening heat and the semi final, seemingly getting on the bunny and staying there. The way I've read the race is that the 3 dog will move over to the rails early, which could spell problems for the 1 and 2. I feel, after watching his runs, that Peacemaker could stay fairly middle from 4, and thus could get to the bend in a handy position. From here, producing 28.60 runs as he does, he should be able to assert and win.
Saying that, I feel the race to the first bend will be won by Chilli Hot Sauce. The local runner will no doubt be a double digit price in this race, however her early pace is phenomenal, and you never know, if there was a fair bit of trouble and she scoots clear, she could go close. One fear is that she does cut the first bend quite badly, which, if matched for early with Wilson, could cause her to get into bother.
Wilson is another big runner in this race. The youngest of the field, Wilson has some cracking early pace, however his times haven't been the best in his most recent races. Off the first bend, I feel it'll be a race on between 4 and 5.
If you're looking for a running on sort, then look no further than Bubbly Swallow. Nick Savva's bitch ran on strong against Blackband Scamp on Wednesday, and, so long as she can get a clear run from the 2 and the 3 who will want the rails, she can be there or there abouts.
It's a cracking final, and well done to all the finalists for getting there.
My Pick: 4-5-1
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