(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 Princess Royal once had a greyhound running at Swindon for charity!
ReplyDeleteAlthough only 1 runner per race at Perry Barr there are double the number of races I sometimes wonder if you people at Swindon know what you are talking about with regards to the competition it's really frustrating for example that 2 dogs from the same kennel were in the same race and had to be changed!
ReplyDeleteI think you should re-read the rules as the blog is wrong but not double the amount like you said but 10 races like so
DeleteDistances for the Final events are:-
1 x Sprint
2 x Standard
2 x Standard (Dogs)
2 x Standard (Bitches)
1 x Standard (Puppy) (greyhound under 2 years old at date of event)
2 x Stayers
What difference did it make to you that those races had to be changed hardly changed the result in my opinion
Pedantic I was trying to highlight that there were more races than explained by the track employee, I could have cut and pasted from the BAGS website but couldn't be bothered, you would of thought that the swindon rep writing on here could have been though!
DeleteWith regards to the doubly a represented kennel it obviously did impact the the races for example in the 4 bend race Ice trooper had a lot more early than the dog it replaced you will note that the 1 and 3 dog crowed at the 2nd bend, hence the impact leaving the 6 to have a solo I believe the previous draw would have been a clearer run race. However I bet there will be a lot more trouble at OX and Poole, especially Poole IMO a joke of a track I bet the swindon trainers won't be rushing there when they win at OX!
Fair play. Would be great to hear of other stories that follow a similar line as Ardera Bit!
ReplyDeleteAnd with regards to the other comment, the number of races that are run at Perry Barr are exactly the same. Alas, the way it changes is that because there are 6 group winners, there is one greyhound per race in the final from each winning team. The issue with runners was one that was very unfortunate, and corrected ASAP, both with us an Oxford.
After a review of the rules, in fairness it turns out we were both wrong. The final, at Perry Barr, will have races over the following distances:
ReplyDelete1 x Sprint
2 x Standard
2 x Standard Dogs
2 x Standard Bitches
1 x Puppy
2 x Stayers
So ten races in total. Apologise for my incorrect display of information, and this has now been amended. Still makes it a nightmare for the Team Leader.