Apologies that this one is rather late in the day. However, with the Bank Holiday etc, it's been a bit difficult to find time to sit down and write this!
Only the three opens this week, with the other's not filling to any form of worthy race. The lack of entries is a touch disappointing. However, as I have said in recent blogs, the open race scene is very hard to break into at the moment.
You have the weekly structure of races that are done and dusted, with track's having their 'nights' (I.E, Nottingham on Monday, Hove on Thursday, Romford Friday). Breaking down this routine is very hard, and as such finding the ideal night to put our opens on is difficult. In my opinion, I do think that Wednesday's is a good day to do them on, and I'm all for putting on a massive batch of opens (for a long-term period), so that trainers can get into the habit of entering, and seeing that they're actually on.
In September, the track will be running a couple of Cat. 3 competitions over 480m and 509m. They will be for 18 dogs, in a 2 heat format. The winner of the competition will receive £750 (and a pretty awesome trophy). The competitions are to run on Friday nights, with the final being supported by numerous other opens. Again, it's a case of the competitions filling, and it'll be interesting to see if we can get over the 'Romford Effect' of a Friday night.
Anyway, here's my take on tonight's 3 opens:
19:06 - The Blunsdon Sprint
My Pick: Witcombe Dilemma
I'm not really a fan of sprints (though they do their job of splitting up a card), especially when you have a lot of four bend greyhounds who are going over the shorter trip. It's seldom that the four bend dogs then reproduce the pace over the shorter trip. Very consistent in his split times, Witcombe Dilemma has been running really well round Swindon recently, and looks a likely favourite (and winner here). Kevin Hutton's dog has really good early speed, it's just a case of leading round the bend in my mind.
Trap six Bealady Rover has also seen a resurgence of form recently, showing the former trademark early pace that won him a couple of sprint opens last year. Quentin Bevan's dog will be a match for Witcombe up to the bend in my mind.
For a slight value bet, trap one Alanas Surprise is worth a look as well. Andy Ross's lass has been campaigned over sprints recently, winning in a decent time at Henlow. Although I don't like trap one in sprints, she could have a plot draw if she takes to the track.
19:52 - The Blunsdon Maiden Standard
My Pick: Stanton John (NAP)
I know that the pick here isn't exactly original, but after John's run at Coventry on Sunday, he looks to be about a 1/3 chance in this one. Due to the rulings on Maiden entries, John is eligible for this race after Kevin entered him before he ran at Coventry.
29.12 at Coventry is a flying time (though I do suspect, looking at the meeting, the track was actually about 10-20 fast) and will see him win this. I can't even envisage any traffic problems to the bend.
So, if you're looking to have a play on this race you're probably looking for a forecast link. I would side with the five dog here, Jet Vision. Steve Howard's dog ran well enough for a first look a couple of weeks back, and should be running on over this trip, which looks to be a touch shorter than what he needs.
20:37 - The Blunsdon 509er
My Pick: Francos Causeway
I'm thinking that my pick in this one will be a pretty decent price with the bookies. Francos Causeway, trained by Andy Ross, looks to have an ideal draw here on the rails. I think this 509m trip is right up his street, and if he can show the sort of early pace that he can round Poole, he could go round with a pitch off the second bend.
The obvious, and worthy, favourite in this one looks to be Crusty Crab. Ray Jones' dog ran a stormer last week, in what was a needed return to form. However, he does seem to be up and down like the stock exchange with his form book, and it's easy to follow him over a cliff! For sentimental purposes though, I do hope he puts in a race like last week!
Happy Punting!
Wattsy,
Wednesday, 28 August 2013
Saturday, 17 August 2013
Handicap Traps - The Future?
The problem of greyhound and trainer numbers in this sport are rather obvious. However, the solutions are not so. The argument for better prize money (though completely valid), lacks foundation in it's funding method (although the argument about BAGS profit's will always remain). The need for new owner's is also a given, but again it's coming up with a proper plan of action to be able to make this possible (target market, marketing campaigns, finances etc). It was giving thought to these ideas that made me think; Why not implement Handicap Racing?
Handicap racing, for those that don't know, is when you have 6 seperate starting traps for the 6 greyhounds. Each particular box is given a certain amount of head start over the 'scratch' runner (Trap 6). For example, an A1 dog may be given the scratch box, and an A3 runner may be given trap 5 with a 3m head start.
The joy with handicap boxes is that you can have a greyhound in any grade, run against any other grenound. Seedings dont particularly matter (as, with the initial gap, they have room to sort themselves out), and the actual racing can be very competitive. In a time of inbalance within grades, and dogs in certain grades needing runs, this seems to be a good solution to the problem, that helps all parties (owners, trainers and the racing manager). Obviously the initial cost of said traps is the main consideration.
I'm personally a big fan of HCP racing (moreso over 6 bends than 4), however they do seem to be an acquired taste. However, as a solution to the grade inbalance, and a long term solution for maintaining a good 6 bend grade, I think this really would work. They're already in place at Perry Barr, Sheffield, Hall Green and Newcastle.
Handicap racing, for those that don't know, is when you have 6 seperate starting traps for the 6 greyhounds. Each particular box is given a certain amount of head start over the 'scratch' runner (Trap 6). For example, an A1 dog may be given the scratch box, and an A3 runner may be given trap 5 with a 3m head start.
The joy with handicap boxes is that you can have a greyhound in any grade, run against any other grenound. Seedings dont particularly matter (as, with the initial gap, they have room to sort themselves out), and the actual racing can be very competitive. In a time of inbalance within grades, and dogs in certain grades needing runs, this seems to be a good solution to the problem, that helps all parties (owners, trainers and the racing manager). Obviously the initial cost of said traps is the main consideration.
I'm personally a big fan of HCP racing (moreso over 6 bends than 4), however they do seem to be an acquired taste. However, as a solution to the grade inbalance, and a long term solution for maintaining a good 6 bend grade, I think this really would work. They're already in place at Perry Barr, Sheffield, Hall Green and Newcastle.
Wednesday, 14 August 2013
Category One Success, New Trainer Search, Dog Numbers, OR Picks
Apologise for the lack of a blog in a little while. It rather dawned on me that this blog was being rather over-clogged with just OR previews, rather than actual discussion. Hence why, in this blog, I shall keep the tipping for open races a bit shorter than usual.
First and foremost I must congratulate Team Hutton on their win at Romford last night with Airport Captain in the £10,000 Champion Stakes. The run itself was one of the best I've ever seen from a greyhound. Breaking with a 13.37 sectional (a length off the sprint clock), he blitzed home by nearly 7 lengths in a new track record of 34.67. We can talk all day about track records, however I do think that this record is significant. No offence, but it isn't like out 509m record, which is only run when OR's come along. That Romford clock is one that is run on near enough every card, so it's certainly a sought-after clock, especially with the calibre of greyhound that goes round Romford. The joy with Airport Captain is that you know exactly what you're getting with him. If he pings, he wins, and if he gets on the bunny, he's a different class. Well done to all at the Hutton kennel. This is their first big win, with many more to come no doubt.
One person to also mention about is owner Mick Freshwater. Some of you may know Mick, some maybe not. Mick's a big part of the Hutton kennel, owning several good greyhounds with them. His backing, and the money he puts into the sport makes him very worthy of a big race win. Well done!
Obviously the big news coming out of Swindon is the new trainer search. With the loss of John Peterson, even with the distribution of alot of his greyhounds, we are very much down on numbers at the track. When you consider that we have 384 greyhounds a week run in all of our race meetings, and we're down to around the 360 figure, the need for another trainer is a must. Now, I understand that some owners do have grievance with their greyhounds getting runs, however there are several variables to consider in grading a race. There are some dogs on 7-10 days (meaning they can only run a maximum of once a week), some on early races (as theyre a bad kennelers), and some trainers who can't make the double meeting on a Friday. Throwing all this into the mix of unbalance within grades (for example, more railers than wides), this leaves the grader with a bit of a headache.
In an ideal world, I'd hope that a young trainer would join the ranks to basically take off where JP left off. However, these are few and far betweem. Unfortunately, compared to 6 or so years ago, trainers are no longer 'flocking' to the tracks to join, as there just aren't the trainers about. Maybe it's time to look at the trainers and owner's we've got, and maybe give them a better deal?
Now, to take a quick look at the opens this evening:
19:22 - Maiden 509'er
My Pick: Rodger
No offence, but I do think this is quite a poor quality maiden race, with not a lot really leaping off the page. Going on the way he run in his last 509er, Rodger ran an awesome race, just getting picked up by Bodell George. Don't be expecting 8/1 though!
19:52 - 480m Standard
My Pick: Panthers Legend
The obvious pick in this one may be Witcombe Dilemma. However, I have a theory about Panthers Legend. Every time she's pinged the lids, it's been day;light outside. She only seems to ping when the sun's out! I reckon (hoping the weather holds up) that she could get off to a flyer here and out-early Dilemma.
20:07 - 685m Maiden Stayers
My Pick: Bright Ells
Again, this is a case where nothing truly stands out on paper. I'll hedge my bets on the unknown quantity in Bright Ells. She's a good bitch on her day, and always looked like she'd stay further than the 480m. You're always going into the unknown when you back these greyhounds on debut over the trip, so perhaps this is a race best left alone.
20:52 - 509m Maiden
My Pick: Stanton John
Arguable for raw pace, and the actual time's clocked, Stanton John is the better dog in the race. However, Thandis Thai Ni's recent runs away (especially Henlow) aren't to be sniffed at. Both greyhounds have their quirks (all my opinion, remember!), alas a tussle between the two could be interesting. I envisage whoever leads off the 2nd wins.
21:07 - 509er
My Pick: Pookies Jess
One minor gripe before I start this, and this is the quite frankly ridiculous seeding of some of these dogs. Jacobs Courage runs from trap 1 here, when really he needs the middle ground of 4 or 5. You've then got the predicament of Gemstone Annie (who needs the rails) in trap 4?! To me, this is just ridiculous, and needs to be looked at. Whether new seeds or a central seeding distributor will do the job, I don't know. However, this does need to be looked at.
Anyway, after that rant, I really like the look of Pookies Jess here. Jim Rowe's bitch is a classy sort on the bunny, and can get a ping break from the 3. Forest Bound looks the likely challenger here, however he's a bit hit and miss trips. In my mind, he runs the 480m really strong, however he doesn't really look to stay 509m. As always, keep and eye on the Crab!
Happy Punting,
Wattsy;
First and foremost I must congratulate Team Hutton on their win at Romford last night with Airport Captain in the £10,000 Champion Stakes. The run itself was one of the best I've ever seen from a greyhound. Breaking with a 13.37 sectional (a length off the sprint clock), he blitzed home by nearly 7 lengths in a new track record of 34.67. We can talk all day about track records, however I do think that this record is significant. No offence, but it isn't like out 509m record, which is only run when OR's come along. That Romford clock is one that is run on near enough every card, so it's certainly a sought-after clock, especially with the calibre of greyhound that goes round Romford. The joy with Airport Captain is that you know exactly what you're getting with him. If he pings, he wins, and if he gets on the bunny, he's a different class. Well done to all at the Hutton kennel. This is their first big win, with many more to come no doubt.
One person to also mention about is owner Mick Freshwater. Some of you may know Mick, some maybe not. Mick's a big part of the Hutton kennel, owning several good greyhounds with them. His backing, and the money he puts into the sport makes him very worthy of a big race win. Well done!
Obviously the big news coming out of Swindon is the new trainer search. With the loss of John Peterson, even with the distribution of alot of his greyhounds, we are very much down on numbers at the track. When you consider that we have 384 greyhounds a week run in all of our race meetings, and we're down to around the 360 figure, the need for another trainer is a must. Now, I understand that some owners do have grievance with their greyhounds getting runs, however there are several variables to consider in grading a race. There are some dogs on 7-10 days (meaning they can only run a maximum of once a week), some on early races (as theyre a bad kennelers), and some trainers who can't make the double meeting on a Friday. Throwing all this into the mix of unbalance within grades (for example, more railers than wides), this leaves the grader with a bit of a headache.
In an ideal world, I'd hope that a young trainer would join the ranks to basically take off where JP left off. However, these are few and far betweem. Unfortunately, compared to 6 or so years ago, trainers are no longer 'flocking' to the tracks to join, as there just aren't the trainers about. Maybe it's time to look at the trainers and owner's we've got, and maybe give them a better deal?
Now, to take a quick look at the opens this evening:
19:22 - Maiden 509'er
My Pick: Rodger
No offence, but I do think this is quite a poor quality maiden race, with not a lot really leaping off the page. Going on the way he run in his last 509er, Rodger ran an awesome race, just getting picked up by Bodell George. Don't be expecting 8/1 though!
19:52 - 480m Standard
My Pick: Panthers Legend
The obvious pick in this one may be Witcombe Dilemma. However, I have a theory about Panthers Legend. Every time she's pinged the lids, it's been day;light outside. She only seems to ping when the sun's out! I reckon (hoping the weather holds up) that she could get off to a flyer here and out-early Dilemma.
20:07 - 685m Maiden Stayers
My Pick: Bright Ells
Again, this is a case where nothing truly stands out on paper. I'll hedge my bets on the unknown quantity in Bright Ells. She's a good bitch on her day, and always looked like she'd stay further than the 480m. You're always going into the unknown when you back these greyhounds on debut over the trip, so perhaps this is a race best left alone.
20:52 - 509m Maiden
My Pick: Stanton John
Arguable for raw pace, and the actual time's clocked, Stanton John is the better dog in the race. However, Thandis Thai Ni's recent runs away (especially Henlow) aren't to be sniffed at. Both greyhounds have their quirks (all my opinion, remember!), alas a tussle between the two could be interesting. I envisage whoever leads off the 2nd wins.
21:07 - 509er
My Pick: Pookies Jess
One minor gripe before I start this, and this is the quite frankly ridiculous seeding of some of these dogs. Jacobs Courage runs from trap 1 here, when really he needs the middle ground of 4 or 5. You've then got the predicament of Gemstone Annie (who needs the rails) in trap 4?! To me, this is just ridiculous, and needs to be looked at. Whether new seeds or a central seeding distributor will do the job, I don't know. However, this does need to be looked at.
Anyway, after that rant, I really like the look of Pookies Jess here. Jim Rowe's bitch is a classy sort on the bunny, and can get a ping break from the 3. Forest Bound looks the likely challenger here, however he's a bit hit and miss trips. In my mind, he runs the 480m really strong, however he doesn't really look to stay 509m. As always, keep and eye on the Crab!
Happy Punting,
Wattsy;
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