So, we're well off from the BAGS Track Championship, and it's fair to say that it wasn't our greatest triumph! Although we managed to put in a very good final-round innings, we still finished last in the group, being hammered by Hove, and just getting pipped into 2nd by Poole.
Ultimately, we just didn't have a good enough team to compete with the might of Hove. I think the trick with this competition is to plan early, and have a team in mind ready to go before the competition starts. Speaking to both Hove and Poole guys, they had their teams in mind a long time before the competition started, so had the ammo there ready to go. This might be where we struggled.
Another issue is the quality of strength in depth that we have. Realistically, barring the top-top end of the A1 deck (I'm talking about the Ericks Gav, Matties Mate A1's), we haven't really got the quality to be able to field a team of 20 runners, along with reserves. Realistically, you need around 4 greyhounds per division, in my mind, that you can count on for points, to be competitive in a competition such as this.
As such, maybe a possible plan for the new year could be the improvement of our top grade. I've been a long-time advocate of Kennel Sweepstakes (2 rounds and a final for graded runners), alas maybe this could be a possible solution? If the A1 grade is to maintain quality, then I do think that prize money needs to be upped to give the possible OR runners a reason to stay at their local track. Sweepstakes and other such things could help with this.
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As some of you may have seen from the trial sheet on Tuesday, we welcome trainer Nathan MacDonald from Hall Green. He's a rare type in this game, a young, ambitious guy with a good kennel strength to hand. Welcome to Swindon, Nathan!
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