The BAGS/SIS Easter Eggstravaganza Preview

The BAGS/SIS Easter Eggstravaganza

So, Friday brings with it a cracking line up of races at Monmore, with 16 different finals taking place in the Easter Eggstravaganza competition. Having initially being a tad detrimental about the competition, after looking through the race card in better detail, it’s actually a pretty decent line up, with some particularly good races to look forward to. Remember, you can watch the finals in any betting shop, with greyhound racing being the particular highlight of the day. There’s certainly a lot of racing to take in, and here’s my take on the races: 

13:07 – Eggstravaganza Pups Final

My Pick: Klockwork Kindra

The one thing that hits home more than anything, looking through the card, is that the home advantage will obviously favour the Monmore dogs massively, none more so than this first race, which is actually a top draw puppy contest. Paul Sallis’s Klockwork Kindra has been moving very well in recent races, posting regular 28’s in both the IV race and in her trial at Monmore. The key to her race is the early pace, which she looks to have plenty of. The draw also really works in her favour, as the 3 dog will dart for the rails straight off, whilst the wide runners are legitimate trap 6 contenders, so she should get a solo up through the middle. It’s a competitive race though; expect Gortown Ben and Vanjohn to put in good races (the definite trio in the race).

13:22 – Eggstravaganza Sprint Final

My Pick: Big Blue Havana

Everyone knows that sprint racing isn’t really my thing, and when you’ve got a competition like this, with dogs coming from all sorts of different tracks, it’s really hard to make a decent assessment of the race. For example, the 3 dog, Ryves Rock, is actually a decent dog at Crayford; however that’s over 380m, which is their 4 bend trip; however it qualified him for the sprint.

My Pick here is Big Blue Havana for the in-form trainer Paul Young. He had a really impressive night Wednesday evening, and Havana looks a decent sprinter. His 13.75 win there is impressive enough to win this race. The only issue here is the draw, stuck inside a railer. However, from what I can read, there aren’t a lot of QAw types in the race (considering it’s a sprint and all?). A look round is also a benefit.

13:38 – Eggstravaganza Dogs Final

My Pick: Barracuda Frank

This is a toughie to fathom out, as all I can envisage is trouble. There’s a whole lot of early pace in the race, with the 3 dog, in my opinion, likely to move off, causing a few traffic problems. The 6 dog comes with a decent reputation, but from what I’ve seen of him he’s lacking a yard of pace to the bend.

My pick lies with trap 1, Barracuda Frank. He looks like he leaves his running late on, and has a plum draw on the rails. My thoughts on the race are that he can track the 2 dog round the bend (the likely leader), and hopefully take advantage of the non-stayers in the race. The finish will definitely come from 5 and 6; it’s just whether the 1 dog has that kick more early than those two.

13:58 – Eggstravaganza Stayers Runners Up Final

My Pick: Maverick Flame (NB)

A funny race this one, and admittedly one that I didn’t see scheduled! I’m presuming this is in place of the marathon. In this race, I have a rather soft spot for the 6 dog, Maverick Flame.

I’ve been watching this lass run at Sheffield in open’s there and, although lacking the class to beat the better types, hasn’t every really been disgraced in some pretty decent company. She’ll be the sort to come late on, but really there are only 2 dogs with the early pace to get round early (1 and 4). I have a gut feeling this is going to be a race won by a finisher. This race is a class step down for her, hence getting the nod, and the NB tag!

14:18 – Eggstravaganza Bitches Final – GEMSTONE ANNIE

My Pick: Gemstone Annie

So, our first runner goes here, in the form of the form of Kevin Hutton’s GEMSTONE ANNIE. Annie, bred and owned by the Robson family, is a funny sort in that I’m struggling to place a particular trip against her name. She seems to go well enough in four bend races, but always looks to stay further, yet didn’t really run too well at Romford. I’m of the belief that this 480 is too short for her, but actually she looks to have a chance of leading here. The 3 dog is her obvious danger, being a rails to middle sort with the equivalent early pace.

14:37 – Eggstravaganza Pups Final

My Pick: Courts Ad Stanly

Originally, I went for Craster Kipper here as a good banker for the meeting! However, my vote now goes to my second favourite, Courts Ad Stanly. Stanly, trained by Jim Reynolds, runs at top grade at Romford, and has the benefit of a couple of looks at Monmore. His draw looks ideal, as he's pitched on the outside of 4 railers, so he should get round and scoot clear.

14:57 – Eggstravaganza Stayers Final

My Pick: Kielduff College

I’m tipping another winner for Newcastle, and they look as though they could have a rather good day! College, trained by Jimmy Wright, is a really classy sort, winning regularly at Newcastle over 6 bends.  If you look at the form, you could argue that he’s been in the wars a bit. However, they run handicap 6 bends at Newcastle, and this dog always make the scratch box, meaning he always has to come right off the back. However, over an even-keel 6 bends, he’s a class above most.

15:17 – Eggstravaganza Dogs Final

My Pick: Dustin Eagle

Of course, as well as rooting for Swindon, we shall be rooting for the sister track, Poole! They look to have a cracking chance here in the form of Shaun Gresham’s Dustin Eagle. Eagle has been flying up the grades at Poole, winning some decent A1’s there in some cracking times to boot. His trial doesn’t read too well, but the look round is the key for a first trial.

The only hazard to him is the draw, which hasn’t been particularly kind. The 4 dog, Daithis Roscoe, looks like a seriously fast dog, and will be gunning for the rails early. Also, there’s a bundle of early pace in the race. So long as ‘The Eagle’ can get round safe and in front, he should win this one.

15:38 – Eggstravaganza Bitches Final – ALARMING JACKS

My Pick: Alarming Jacks (NAP)

Well, fingers crossed, we come out of this with a great winner in the form of Alarming Jacks. Jacks, trained by Kevin Hutton, has been running some excellent A1’s in good company, posting a best 28.34. She has absolutely bundles of early pace, and looks (to me) a serious Oaks prospect for later in the year. The draw is also brilliant, with the 2 dog lacking that yard of EP, and the 3 dog looking to move off wide. She should get a solo here, and will, I envisage, being one of the big stories to come out of the day. Don’t expect too much of a price!

15:58 – Eggstravaganza Stayers Final – DROOPYS HARPER

My Pick – Droopys Harper

This is a race that I have really taken quite a long time looking into, and I’m picking Harper mainly due to how I feel he’ll be priced.

My reading of the race is that the 1 dog is the early pace dog in the race, getting round early. There is a lack of pace on his direct outside, with the 4 dog being the ‘follow’ dog to go round with. When there are 5 railers in a race, I’d certainly rather see my dog in 5 if he/she can’t get trap 1. I feel that, so long as Harper can go with the 4 dog early, and follow it round; he’ll outstay the other early pace types and win this.

16:18 – Eggstravaganza Dogs Final – BLACK BEACH

My Pick: Remix

I promise that I don’t secretly work for Newcastle! They do look seriously strong in this competition, with the highlight coming from the early pace machine that is Remix. I’ve watched this dog several times at Brough Park, and he’s got some freakish pace to the bend. The times might not look too brilliant at Newcastle, but I think the 480 there is really his absolute limit. The 480 at Monmore is a lot easier to take to, and should make this race easy pickings.

The only problem I can possibly foresee, and this is where I may go off at a tandem, is that the lack of a look at the track. Monmore have a different set of starting traps compared to most tracks. They have an American style, flat fronted lid that may take some adjusting to. Most tracks operate with hydraulic, flat fronted traps where the lids actually rise straight up 90 degrees (Swindon operate the much older-fashioned curved front, roll on-roll off style trap, which I personally love). Monmore’s traps make a different action at the start, going up and in rather than straight up. You may have seen that Henlow operate the same style of trap. This can take some adjusting to, and may catch the early pace types out.

I apologise for that hideous description of starting traps!

16:37 – Eggstravaganza Bitches Final

My Pick: Ballymac Guitre

This to me looks like a really easy race to pick from, with the Nottingham-based Ballymac Guitre getting my vote here. She’s a good early pace sort, who has some seriously fast runs over 500m , though don’t let the times deceive you too much, the going at Nottingham recently changed so that +50 is the new normal, much like we did making the new normal +30. Still, the times that this bitch has posted are enough to win this race easy

16:57 – Eggstravaganza Sprint Final – FOREST BRACKEN

My Pick: Swift Cougar

Forest Bracken runs here, representing Swindon and trainer Paul Foster. I never really had Bracken down at as sprinter, but he certainly made easy work of winning the heat 2 weeks ago. His times are actually really decent for the trip, and again it’s a case of ‘shouldn’t be dismissed’. The lack of a look round is a worry, as with a sprint you’re going into the bend at full pelt, and when you haven’t had a look the tendency is to move off slightly.

My pick here goes with Swift Cougar. I think the draw works in her favour, on the outside of the pacey middle runners, where she can tuck in and hold the middle course. She has some decent form over a sprint trip, and has the benefit of a trial. The concern is the middle to rails comment, I’m hopeful that she doesn’t try and come in too much!

17:17 – Eggstravaganza Dogs Final

My Pick: Fivestar Gooch

My selection here is solely on the idea of following the decent line of form, and Gooch seems to be heading in the right direction. Derek Knight’s runner has been running in decent company in graded and the final’s race at Hove, and ran a really good race in behind Bubbly Lucky, who has since gone on to run a stormer on trainers championship night at Yarmouth, which (again, all opinions) really beefs up that run. Again, the worry is the early pace, and having to miss the trouble on the run up. However, Hove’s form is very decent, and Gooch should frank the decent lines.

17:33 – Eggstravaganza Bitches Final

My Pick: Round Woman

Round woman, trained at Belle Vue, has some really good form going into this final. She’s won her last 3 races well, however the times don’t particularly leap off the page. However, it’s her trial round Monmore that really takes the eye, posting a good 28.52. The sectional as well shows that she can ping, which is the name of the game in this race.

17:47 – Eggstravaganza Stayers Final – SWIFT KENNEDY

My Pick: Mordred Saul

I’m sure I wasn’t the only one to be scratching their head when Kennedy won his stayers heat of the Eggstravaganza! Obviously, no offence intended to the connections, but Kennedy came into that race in pretty poor form. I was struggling to place him race wise, as again he obviously needs further, but looked to be struggling over the 685m trip. However, credit where credit’s due, he ran an excellent race in winning the leg, and goes into this race fresh. It’s hard to see him winning this though, as there’s some decent company in here.

Mordred Saul looks to be the one to beat here. Trained by Kim Billingham, Saul has some really good stayers form over the 630, meaning the home advantage really should play into Monmore’s hands here. He’s got some good times on his card as well, certainly enough to win this race.

Keep an eye on Swift Lucozade though. Mark Wallis’ charge cramped in her trial at Monmore, but is certainly classy enough to beat these.

Well, 2000+ words later, and there’s the preview done. Apologise is I petered off slightly, but writing for 16 races is a bit of an undertaking!

I should say, on behalf of everyone at Swindon, I wish all the connections of our 6 finalists the very best of luck on Good Friday. Most of all enjoy the big day!

Happy Punting!

Wattsy,

'Egg' Trials, Arc round the corner, OBS

Over the weekend, Monmore saw the start of the Eggstravaganza trials, with Kevin Hutton giving his four a spin round the circuit. Out of his recruits, Alarming Jacks went best, posting a 28.63 calculated for the 480m trip.

The notable point to come out of the trial sessions is that the quality of the competition looks to be pretty poor. Bar an exceptional few (Jacks being one of them), there aren't the flashing times being posted that usually graces competitions like this. When you look at the Intertrack at Perry Barr, you had some cracking dogs going for that competition, with the likes of Bold Three now being an active competitor on the OR circuit. It seems that the competition just hasn't got that sparkle that the IT has. Fingers crossed that, on the day, the racing is top draw and makes for good viewing (16 races and all!)

Well, it's snowing and bitterly cold outside, so that means that it must be Arc time! Even with a different start date, we still manage to get some bitterly cold weather. Hopefully by the time the competition gets started we'll have some decent weather! The preparations kick off at trials on Tuesday, where Colin Callow gives his 'Longwood' team a spin round, with the obvious target being The Pinpoint Recruitment Arc. I've heard several good things about a new recruit in Longwood Bound. I saw him trial at Coventry in a sprint, where he went about a spot off that track record, so this newbie obviously has pace. It'll be interesting to see how he, and old timers Warrior and Fantasy, handle the Blunsdon Circuit.

On the subject of incorporating more competitions for graders, which seems to have people really talking about possibilities, I thought of one way to do this would be to re-format the Owners Bonus Series. It could be done in such a way that the competition actually has 3 rounds, with semi finals and a final to decide the winner. I think a competition with, say,  24 dogs, then being cut to 12, and then your 6 for the final, could work well, and provide more greyhounds with a chance of earning some decent money.

I've taken a quick look at the 'Egg' card, and I'm hoping to have a preview of each race up here for Thursday evening. Obviously, I'll be highlighting the Swindon dog's races in particular detail. Do keep a look out!

Happy Punting!

Wattsy

P.S; for those interested, no I'm not off to Coventry.

A Bit Of A Damp Egg?

My apologise again folks for the lack of updates on this here blog. Unfortunately life has been rather hectic recently, and I just haven't had the time to sit down and jot down my ramblings for you to enjoy. Alas, here is my belated nonsense.

The big thing to come out of Swindon this week was the Easter Eggstravaganza, where the Hutton and Foster camp's dominated proceedings, with the 'Burford Mob' (as I have now aptly named the kennel!) winning four of the six races. In fairness, credit where credit is due, their charges were quite honestly head and shoulders above the competition. Paul Foster (can't really dub them the 'Next-Door-To-The-Kennel's Mob really?) picked up two very good wins, one of which, Swift Kennedy, I must say was the shock of the day!

The general feeling with this competition, however, is that alot of people don't really seem particularly bothered by this competition, and I must say, me included. It doesn't seem to have the 'buzz' about it that the Intertrack competition in the winter does, and seems to be merely an added extra into the calendar, that most people don't really understand the rules about! 

Now, I'm of the opinion that any extra money that is pumped into the sport has to be a good thing, and I think the overall added sum is something like £120,000, which is superb. However, one does wonder whether this competition really works as a competition itself. 16 races on finals day, although hopefully proving to be a good days racing, sounds to me like overkill. Again, one can understand wanting to utilize the fact that there is no horse racing on Good Friday, so greyhound's takes center stage.

I know that logistically it probably isn't possible, as the scope in class of grades is so great at different tracks, but my feeling is that the graders, who cover most of the BAGS racing in all honesty, could and should be rewarded in some way. Why not some competitions at each track, culminating in a final at  one of the tracks on the day? See, even writing that I understand how illogical and stupid that sounds, however there has to be some way of incorporating the graders into more of these inter-track shindigs, rather than the borderline (and in some case, out and out) class dogs that take centre stage otherwise.

Enough of my moaning however, leading into some good news. The Arc is back! This year, it's sponsored by Pinpoint Recruitment. Like me, you might know them as 'those blokes who have the good dogs with Kelly Macari'. In all seriousness, a big thank you for their kind sponsorship, and furthermore there increased portfolio of sponsored greyhound races, as I notice they've sponsored a fair amount of races (mostly at their home track, and Newcastle). The dates for the competition are as follows:

1st Round: Friday 19th April 2013 BAGS (6 races, 36 runners)
Semi Finals: 26th April 2013 BAGS (3 races, 18 runners)
FINAL: Wednesday 1st May 2013

As an Open Race follower primarly, I'm mega excited for this competition once again, further more because of the altered format. I know amongst some that the above format isn't particularly favoured, however I like it. I think it makes it all to play for in the semi finals, rather than the mindset to sneak through in 3rd place. I would like to see a competition where in the 1st round the 1st 2 home go through, I think that could work quite well, with then the first 3 through in the semi finals (very Greyhound Manager 2-esque for anyone who knows the PC game!)

This Tuesday evening also ushers in a new era of Sky Sports coverage, with the first meeting in the new format taking place. I say new, it's more altered slightly. It's the same team in charge, mostly the same competitions on the scene. In actual fact, it's just different time slots at the moment. It's far too easy to criticize before the program has even gone out, but all I will say is that the program should take the opportunity to make itself different from the previous show. Take the opportunity to change things up and bring in some new ideas. 

Back to the graded racing at Swindon, and things seem to be going very well at the moment. The track itself has a good strength of dogs, with a good mix of grades and styles, making what, in my opinion, has been some cracking racing recently. The one thing I will say is that, with the Eggstravaganza taking place and the necessity for graded stayers and sprints, is that I hope that these stayers and sprint grades can be formalized and used more. On the evening meetings in particular, there's nothing better than a bit of variety.

I will make a promise now that I will update this here blog every week on a Sunday, the same as I will the runners/wins table on the racing information sections (kindly nabbed from the GTA website, thank you Mr. Holloway!).

I'm looking at a complete redesign for this website in the coming weeks, as quite frankly I get bored with looking at the same thing all the time! I'm after your ideas as to what you would like to see on the website, and what things possibly you want rid of! Any suggestions will be taken on board (though derogatory remarks might not be so!), so please feel free to either comment underneath this blog post, or let me know at the track.

Happy Punting!

Wattsy

Swindon on Sky!

In terms of news in our fine sport, last week had to be up there as one of the busiest, and most confusing!

First and foremost, it's brilliant that a Sky contract has been signed up for this year. Tom Kelly and everyone else involved deserves a serious pat on the back in getting 22 dates signed up for the year. The deal means that the meetings will also be broadcast into bookmakers via SIS (who are producing the shows), meaning that the viewing audience for these big meetings will be much bigger this year.

As for the show itself, news came out this week detailing the presenters of the program with Jonathan Hobbs being the 'anchor' of the program, along with Gary Wiltshire, who will provide the betting perspective on the race. It cannot be denied that sticking with a formulae that works and that has broadcasting experience, is paramount to this show working. I do think, however, that this is greyhound racing's time to showcase some new, fresh faces on screen.

Without actually having seen a program yet, and merely making an observation based on what details have been given, one does have to wonder how the one-man presentation approach will work. The greyhound program of old (which, co-incidentally, I don't feel we should really compare the new show to, as this time around I'm expecting a more streamlined, back to basics broadcast) I felt worked well because you had the main anchor, in the form of Gary Newbon, playng off the techincally superior knowledge base of Hobbsy. This interaction between two people allows for a better flow of presentation, rather than one bloke in front of a camera.

RPGTV is another example of this. Would the program work if you had Sir Errol in front of a camera hosting on his own in the studio? Yes, it works with having someone to link to (such as how it will work, I suppose, with Hobbsy and Wiltshire) however there's nothing better than having a 'double act'. Jonathan Kay works really well for example. The main presenter can ask a question and the response can be received from a different point of view, such as Mr. Kay's.

It's here that I think the Sky coverage could be the start of a breakthrough for introducing some fresh blood to the system. It'd be great to see someone like Kaan Hughes, Billy Brennan or Mick Livesey step up to this sort of role, and establish themselves amongst the old guard.

Again, one shouldn't be detromental to something which hasn't even started yet (which I hope I haven't delivered this as!), however these are merely thoughts on where the coverage can be used for the good of the game's future.

Initially, the dates given included gave Swindon the TV Trophy. Seeing this actually enforced me to do cartwheels around my living room. However, it is now apparent that the date has been postponed. I am told that it may be due to the nature of our marathon trip, the 932m distance. I don't really see how this should be the case. There are other marathon trips around that are just as tough, including Hove's 930 and Nottingham's 905. BAGS have even included a marathon race to the 'Eggstravaganza' (I'm sorry, I still wonder how long the marketing department took to come up with that). The TV trophy that I know from old saw the legend that is Scurlogue Champ surge late on over trips of an equal distance to land his races in style. The TV trophy SHOULD be a test of a greyhound's stamina, and I can't think of a better test than a marathon at Swindon.

The date has been postponed, but finger's crossed Swindon can still be kept in the frame for running the competition.

Still, the good news to come out of the whole Sky date press release is the return of the Arc. What's brilliant this year is that we're running the competition much later in the year (May 1st), which should hopefully attract some different trainers and dogs that we don't usually see during the winter months. By my thinking, and literally this is just off the top of my head, apart from the Monmore Festival races and such, I think The Arc may be the first Category-grade 4 bend race of the year for all-aged greyhounds, so this race should be a good lead-in for the Derby, which starts a month later.

I think one thing that our track does very well is these competitions, and this year will be no different. Having a competition adds a different feel and buzz compared to normal, which can be felt from the crowd to the Racing Office!

One must also tip my hat to Bill and the guys sorting the schedule for getting The Arc into the list. Maybe we can hope that the Produce Stakes can be another competition that is considered?

Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow.

Happy 2013 to you all! Apologies for the lack of a posting, however with Christmas, New Year and all the rest of it, it's been a touch difficult to get time to write a decent posting.

So, the track championship ended up being rather the embarrassment for Team Swindon. Unfortunately the overall thing to come out of the day is that we were just outclassed by the opposition. Having watched the DVD back of the meeting, I thought we were actually very unlucky in a couple of the races. I don't think our points total really did us justice. Still, we'll be back fighting for (hopefully) the 2013 running of the competition.

Speaking of the BAGS competitions, it was great to see the announcement of the Eggstravaganza (I wonder how long the marketing department took to come up with that) to run over Easter. The idea of the competition (if I've got this right) is that Swindon will run 6 races to determine the representative to run at Monmore on Good Friday. The races that we've been given include 2 bitches races, 1x Dogs, 2x Stayers and a Sprint (I believe, please correct me if I'm wrong). So that's 6 representatives to run at Monmore, in what will be a 16 race bumper card.

First thought is blimey, 16 races! I feel for those racing office staff at Monmore! Secondly, whilst the prize money is superb, and the actual competition is a really good initiative for runners, it's not hard to forget about the vast numbers of lower grade dogs that are missing out on boosted prize money initiatives.

Admittedly yes, there are the Owner's Bonus Series (which has been renewed for 2013, yet more good news) and the odd BAGS/SIS 500, but apart from that there isn't alot. I'm all for the Eggstravaganza, but I feel that, as the main BAGS offering is racing of all grades, they should, if possible, try to invent some form of competition to include other grades from different tracks.

Even writing that hits home that it could be rather difficult to do that, however I do think it's something that should just be looked at, to allow for a much more inclusive competition.

Speaking about the OBS, it's brilliant to see that they been renewed for the start of this year. I believe 10 different dates have been put forward for January-June, so that means plenty of opportunity to earn some decent prize money.

Now then, this snow. Seriously, what a nightmare! One of the myths that seems to be existing amongst the greyhound racing contingent is about the safety of tracks in this weather. In actual fact, from my understanding, it seems that actually the tracks run very well in the weather.

Swindon, at the moment, has snow over the track, however it seems to be acting as a protective layer against the cold, meaning that the track underneath is actually very decent. The problem will be, by this theory, is that when the snow is cleared (by our top notch trackman) it is then open to the cold and ice, then proving to be problematic. Again, from my understanding of the track, salt in a track only really keeps the ice out up until about -5, so any colder (and colder isn't now forecast) can prove to be a bit of an issue.

Fingers crossed we can get back to normality in any case.

The BAGS Intertrack Final Preview

So folks, we made it. In fairness, the group was rather easy, and we were near on expected to qualify to this final. However, this is where the test really begins, as we have some serious competition in our way if we are going to win the Inter-track. If I have my absolutely honest, non-biased head on, I don't think we will beat the overall strengths of Newcastle and Monmore, Newcastle being the team that I think will win. Having said that, we have a couple of good chances on the day, with the 53-seater coach being nearly full for Sunday, it should be a great social outing for the Swindon faithful.

There are 10 races on the day, starting with the sprint at 14:38. Each race is worth £500 to the winner, £200 for 2nd and run money of £100. When you factor in that travelling is paid also, it really is brilliant money, and kudos to BAGS for putting the comp, and the prize money, on.

14:38 - The BAGS Track Championship Sprint
My Pick: Kickupyourheels (Monmore)

The way I'll try and do this, rather than bigging up tracks other than our own, is look at who I think will win, then look at our runner. The winner here looks to be the Paul Slater-trained Kickupyourheels. He's a consistant sort, picking up wins in both the intertrack legs that he's been in. I watched the race at Monmore and was very impressed with this dog, giving the other Monmore dog Rocket Auto, who was a short priced fave, a great run. Although the draw isn't ideal, he seems to be the most consistant trapper of the wides, and if he can get in front first, it's game over.


On that basis, and with it being a sprint, really it's anyone's race this. It's a close-knit affair, with the times of all the runners being very similar. Hastetothewind is our hopeful here for Ken Mitchell. He's been running well in sprints, picking up a fab win at Poole over Primo Impact. He's found his trapping boots recently, and by the looks of the trial round there has taken a liking to the flat-fronted PB traps. If he can assert early, he can give them a run also.


Really, this is anyone's race, very close to call.


14:57 - The BAGS Track Championship Standard Bitches - Division B
My Pick: Patterdale Jazz (Newcastle) (NAP)

Newcastle have played a blinder here! Nothing to say that you had to put your best bitch in division A, just to split them accordingly. So, it a nutshell, they've got themselves a banker. Good tactical decision there (obviously, so long as you have a bitch that can run with the top-end in division A!)

Patterdale Jazz is one of the names to come out of this competition as a bitch with a future. Craig Dawson's black trialled on in a time, I believe, 2 spots outside the track record (28.09). If you factor in that she's got early pace to burn, and stays on like a steam train, you have to argue that she's the perfect greyhound! A winner in her last two Intertrack races, she's certainly going to be a very tough one to beat. Don't expect much of a price though!

Our hopeful here is Gemstone Meg for Kevin Hutton. Unfortunately the draw has been pretty unkind on her, drawing trap four. She trialled on well on Monday, posting 28.77. Anyone who knows Meg knows that you can't expect much early on from her, but that she'll be flying at the death. Fingers crossed she can find a way through and pick up some points for Swindon.

15:13 - The BAGS Track Championship Standard Dogs - Division B
My Pick: Guiness Wild (Hove)

I'm going for, what I'm gunning for, is around a 5/1 chance in the ring, in the form of Seamus Cahill's Guiness Wild. Wild, drawn trap six here, is in a race where, really, the field is quite evenly matched barring the 4 dog of Newcastle, who I'm expecting to be favourite. Wild is coming to PB on the back of a maiden open win at Romford. The time there wasn't great to be honest, however the fact it always led indicates that Wild has good early toe. The recent trial round there of 28.54, and the winning form in the good grade that is Hove shows that this greyhound is more than capable of competing here. The draw is ideal, as he should lead the 5 dog round.

Droopys Harper represents us in this race. It has to be said that he isn't out of the race at all, and at his best he could go close here. The issue is that he's a very sluggish trapper, again relying on his back straight pace and late rallying to pick up his wins. His recent trial of 28.50 reads very well, but that's in a solo! Fingers crossed for some points here.

15:29 - The BAGS Track Championship Stayers - Division B
My Pick: Liosgarbh Champ (Newcastle)

Again, I think this race is an easy pickings for Newcastle. Champ, trained by Gary Carmichael, ran a superb trial at PB on Monday, posting a time eclipsing everything else in the race by about 5 lengths, posting 39.83. What impresses me most about the look round is the sectional time, which again is about 4 lengths or so faster than what's around him. That comparison tells me that he isn't exactly stopping when he gets to the winning line, meaning staying isn't an issue! Again, a short one, but he should win

Sharp Exit runs here representing the Foster camp, and I think she has a cracking chance to score some big points here. She ran a blinder in the OR last week, running on like a steam train from a seemingly impossible position (at one point during the race, I did comment that she was running 'pants and paceless'!) but after a bumpy first bend, she flew home. Yes, the time might not read very well, but I think you can give or take 3-4 lengths for 1. the bumpy ride, and 2. the lack of course knowledge. She's going back now having had a look round (with 5 other dogs aswell last time, this being better for their knowledge than just a solo in my opinion). I'm hopeful of her finishing in the top 3 for sure.

15:44 - The BAGS Track Championship Standard Mixed - Division B
My Pick: Garryvoe George (Hove)

I've sided with the Hove dog here, soley on the draw, as this race is what you call 'a mess'. I know that in a race with 5 railers in, you have to be very lucky with the draw, but what grites me is when you get an out-and-out railer drawn in trap 5, which is what's happened here. I can see any other outcome but trouble at the bend here, with the 1 dog moving on, and the 4 and 5 trying to cut in. To me, this will leave a clear path for the Hove raider, George, to swoop round. A lack of a look round is a negative, but his sub-30sec run at Hove is enough to win this.


The main hope here has to be that Silbury Campion can get in a decent pitch and avoid and trouble. Alan McDowell's charge does have that touch of a kick of pace to the bend, but really he leaves his running until late. If he can get round handy off the second, he could score big here.

16:02 - The BAGS Track Championship Puppy
My Pick: Sidelight (Monmore)

This race is a cracker, with a lot of ways that you can look at the form. I'm sticking with consistency and experience in the form of Chris Allsopp's Sidelight. She ran a really good race in winning at Monmore, having to do things very much the hard way, yet still posting a good 28.69 round there. The times at Monmore and Perry Barr very much add up from what I've experienced, which makes sense as she's posted a 28.68 in a trial around PB. She was really unlucky in the IT race there, getting crowded over every bit of the 480 it seemed!


Aspiration is our hopeful here, representing the Dartnall camp. The lack of a trial, and to be honest the recent form, is a bit of a disappointment for me. She's been running over a maiden 6 bends, and hasn't really hit a good note over that trip yet. Since her Oxford run, she seems to have gone a bit sour, again not really running up to scratch in the most recent A1 at Swindon. However, Matt Dartnall is an expert at training, and hopefully he'll have her ready for this task.

16:18 - The BAGS Track Championship Standard Bitches - Division A
My Pick: Pookies Jess (SWINDON) (NB)

By my judgment then, we'll be waiting a little while for our first 'Oi Oi' of the day! Pookies Jess, trained by Jim Rowe, has been in impeccable form recently, scorching around Swindon in cracking times, such as the most recent 28.28 run. She caught some crowding in her last race which put a slight knick in the near-perfect form on her card. She's ran two very good trials at PB, posting 28.24 in her most recent 4 bend trial. The concern is the trap draw really, although I would rather be on the outside and moving in on the railers rather than amongst the scrimmaging. I can't envisage, either, that she can lead the 4 dog up on the run up, which actually may help her miss some of the trouble on the inside of that 4 dog. She can do it both ways, but hopefully she's our big 10 pointer of the day!


16:33 - The BAGS Track Championship Standard Dogs - Division A
My Pick: Rei Doms Evra (Belle Vue)

The first tip for the Zoo, and a good one I hope it turns out to be. Evra, trained by Darren Hampson, has some great recent form, and has the idea trap draw to asset early on. He trialled on in a good 28.38 this last week, aswell as posting a very quick 27.72 in a top graded race at the Zoo. I think that, with the competition in the race, he could be a fairly reasonable price too.


Hoots Mon represents those guys for Burford again! Hoots is a class act, doing the business at Poole in some style. He's cracking over the 4 bend trip when he's on his pinging best. He's had a decent sprint trial round PB, giving him some knowledge of the place. If he can break fast and get to the lead early, he could take some catching.

16:47 - The BAGS Track Championship Stayers - Division A
My Pick: Kielduff College (Newcastle)

Again, a really tough race this one. Kielduff College, trained by James Wright up yonder, looks to me the class act of the field. College romped up at Kinsley over 650m, and then just got there at Sunderland. The two runs were a class apart, as he led up in the first, and ran on strong in the second, showing he can do it both ways. The draw is ideal on the wide outside, and the benefit of a trial, posting a very good 40.07, looks to make him the one to beat (and the favourite, apologise!)

Ardmayle Move runs for the Primo Kennel. She's been a cracking runner for us in the competition, doing the business in the opening leg in some fashion. The issue with her is, although very fast, she looks to need upwards of 700m (though not a marathon I don't think). She'll be running on strong, but again its a case of getting through a wall of dogs. In a solo at PB, she was 9 spots off the track record, but again the trial was a solo. In an OR there last week, she ran into all sorts of bother all the way round. The good thing about the run, however, was that she only lost by 4 in the end, running on strong in the process. Again, just fingers crossed for points. With a clear run, she could hose up against this field.

17:08 -  The BAGS Track Championship Standard Mixed - Division A
My Pick: Stanton Apollo (SWINDON)

I don't know whether this is just me being sentimental, or wanting to end the meeting on a high or anything, but I think that Apollo could do the business in this race. Kevin Hutton's charge is so progressive at the moment, seemingly coming on for every run he's getting. He hosed up at Poole in some style, kicking off the 4th bend well, and he's trialled round PB really well. He's another that can do it off the front, but can also run on. Here, I can see him leading round, if he can frank the trial form. Seals Babe for Hove is the obvious danger in trap 4, and the most likely favourite, but the lack of a trial is a negative.

It took a while, but there's my preview of the days action. It'll be a great day whatever happens, being involved in something like this is a massive positive in any event. Remember also, for winning the group and participating at PB we have landed ourselves £3500 in prize money. What to do with this money, I'm not sure. I don't know what's in the rules or anything, but one idea I though of was why not do up the racing paddock?

In any event, I wish all the owners, trainers, kennelhands, and most importantly doggies, all the best of luck for tomorrow. #UPTHESWINDON!

Merry Christmas everyone!

Chris Watts.

**Anyone that's coming on the coach on the 23rd, do remember that the coach is leaving at 11:30am PROMPT. We will not be waiting around for anyone who is late, so please be at Swindon Stadium in plenty of time!**

Group Winners, The Sky Deal, Oxford Closing + More

Well, that last leg at Poole certainly was entertaining. It's amazing what this competition has bought to light. Apparently we are pretty decent at sprinting, something that I thought, and most others, thought we would be pretty weak in. The team as a whole has performed impeccably, and really all the trainers, owners and kennel hands have to be thanked and congratulated for their contribution to Team Swindon.

Of course, the issue (a nice one) is a potential selection headache for Perry Barr. Going into the final, we can potentially have a very strong team of hounds, however we're a lot stronger in certain areas than others. The races to be run at Perry Barr are:

1 x Sprint
1 x Standard Puppy
2 x Stayers
2 x Standard Dogs
2 x Standard Bitches
2 x Standard Mixed

It's fair to say that the sprint division in particular could be a real headache, as both Primo Impact and Hastetothewind really deserve to go for it. My personal view is that I'd be siding with Impact, as out of the two he has been ultra consistent. On the flip side, in the puppy division, really there is one stand-out performer in the form of Downton Flyer. Matt Dartnall's pup is in the Coral Puppy Trophy final down at Hove. Due to the change in rules, however, it means that we could potentially have a Group 3 winner running for us. Win Win for us!

There isn't that long to go now until the big final, with several of our hounds running in opens on Friday, trialling over the weekend or on Monday. Then it's all hands to the deck in picking the team!

Obviously the big news over the past couple of weeks is the closing of Oxford Stadium. It's horrible to read about a track shutting, especially a track with the history of Oxford. With every track loss, you lose a generation of owners, trainers, workers and all sorts of people. It really is a tough situation out there, with things looking only to get worse. The guys at Oxford have been dealt a really bad hand here, as everything looked to be moderately stable after what had been a rumour filled autumn (rumours that ended up being true), and to have a month to clear out is just awful, for the trainers to find new track etc.

With Oxford's demise, we welcome Gilly Hepden to the training ranks at Swindon. Previously a trainer at Swindon before, Gilly brings with her a good strength of 30 or so greyhounds, with some very decent dogs in the kennel, which should help our top end out.

Even more in the doldrums (even writing this blog is depressing me) is the impending Sky contract expiration. The thing that gets me is that people don't really seem too bothered about it, and feel that as a BAGS track, we won't be affected. Believe me, the ramifications of not having the Sky deal will be huge. With the loss of the coverage, which admittedly doesn't get the best viewing figures ever, we should expect to lose some pretty key races. Who says that without the coverage that William Hill will want to sponsor the derby? The underlying problem then is, if you lose the competitions and top races, what, as an owner, have you got to aim for? What would the point be in owning a good dog? The market would bottom out. Alas, breeding is down as it is, if the market for the top dogs also drops, that means that even more breeding will cease, which will cause a shortage in dogs. It's a mass spiral that will effect every track in the UK. Fingers crossed something that be sorted, and quick.