Last weeks competitions certainly got tongues wagging, and also made Ray Jones' wallet bulge significantly after he won both the Monkey 509er with Crusty Crab, as well as the BAGS/SIS 500 with Barrack Dougie.
Crusty Crab, the track record holder over the 509 distance, put in a fantastic run, one of which the Swindon locals had been waiting for from him. He trapped out smartly to lead round, and from then the race was won. Sawpit Sensation ran a stormer of a race in behind, taking a wallop at the bend, and then tracking down the champ down the back. Hernandez, my pick, was once again disappointing, and I think that's the last time I pick him!
In the BAGS/SIS final, the big saying was 'gamble foiled!'. Barrack Dougie, who posted the slowest time of the finalists, and was the biggest price at an SP of 10/1 (20's on Betfair), and he duely delivered. He trapped out well and 'ALed', to scoop the £500 cheque (and also one lush trophy).
Of course the big news coming out of this years Williamhill.com Greyhound Derby is that Swindon has it's first finalist since 1990 (so I'm told, more details would be brill!). Matthew Dartnall managed a brilliant training feat in getting Farloe Ironman over the line in the second quickest time of the competition in 28.16. Ironman goes from trap one in the final, and is the 3/1 second favourite. All I can say is, it shows how strong the A2 is at Swindon!!
Best of luck to the Dartnall Camp.
Wednesday, 23 May 2012
Tuesday, 15 May 2012
Monkey 509'er Final, BAGS/SIS Final Coverage
G'day folks! Feel I'm due another blog, with two finals coming up at Swindon during this week!
The BAGS/SIS 500 final certainly has got people, including the Racing Post talking. It seems as though there was some huge gamble landed on Primo Hotty, who you could back at 14/1 to win the competition, who was subsequently punted into 5/1. Somebody must've flashed a score at Billy Hill and they got scared!! In fairness, I think it's quite cool when this happens, as it really adds something to the final. Hotty was then punted for the heat and won in quite some style, and goes in as favourite on Friday. But anything can happen in dog racing!
Wednesday see's the Monkey 509er final take place and again the same thing has happened, with the supporting opens not filling. This happens all too often at Swindon and it is a bit of a headache. I think the OR market is very competitive nowadays, with Hove, Henlow, Romford and now Coventry offering full open cards. It's important that, if we want to sustain a decent OR book for ourselves, that, I feel, the following needs to happen:
> Every distance to be advertised
> Maidens, Puppy and Veteran's to be considered
> Prize Money increase.
> Regular Opens (obviously when they fill!) Meaning make Wednesday 'Swindon's' OR Day, like Hove/Henlow have done for Thurs, Romford for Friday's etc
Obviously, these are wishful thinking, but the increase in prize money has certainly worked for Sittingbourne in recent times, and Coventry are, I believe, going to set the standard for OR prize money, as I feel they will have no problem filling their opens.
As for the time being? I know it's a headache, but if you have a dog that is capable of competing on the OR level, then travel! Some may disagree with me on this, but I think that if the dog is capable and you wish to reach said dog's full potential, then you have to vary up it's card. Running constantly at Swindon, I'm sorry, isn't reaching a potentially brilliant dog's potential.
Anyway, after that little bit, here's my preview for the final(s)!
20:52 - The May Monkey 509er Final (Wednesday 16th May)
My Pick: Hernandez
A very good final indeed, and certainly one to get the brain working. For me, anyone could win it. However, I'm going to remain faithful in a Swindonite, in the form of Hernandez. Chris Stringer's dog always seems to get the better of me whenever I'm tipping opens! He ran really well in the heat, and the 509 trip seems to suit really well, and his change of seeding from a wide runner to middle is the right choice. Sawpit Sensation and Crusty Crab had a good tussle in the opening heat last week, and you've got to think that these two could also be there or thereabouts. Farley Totti is going to be my forecast link here. He's got a cracking rails draw and could get a pretty clear ride of it.
16:27 - The BAGS/SIS 500 Final (Friday 18th May, live on SIS)
My Pick: Molineux Darcy
I will be honest here, I think Primo Hotty has it all going for it in the final. He's got the draw, the best time of the heat winners, and is the bookies favourite. However, if you're one to look outside the box (like moi), then I think Molineux Darcy could be a player. Trained by Pete Swadden, Darcy has some decent times on her clock, including a 29.15 some time ago now. She's got the trap one draw in the final, and she stays on well.
The BAGS/SIS 500 final certainly has got people, including the Racing Post talking. It seems as though there was some huge gamble landed on Primo Hotty, who you could back at 14/1 to win the competition, who was subsequently punted into 5/1. Somebody must've flashed a score at Billy Hill and they got scared!! In fairness, I think it's quite cool when this happens, as it really adds something to the final. Hotty was then punted for the heat and won in quite some style, and goes in as favourite on Friday. But anything can happen in dog racing!
Wednesday see's the Monkey 509er final take place and again the same thing has happened, with the supporting opens not filling. This happens all too often at Swindon and it is a bit of a headache. I think the OR market is very competitive nowadays, with Hove, Henlow, Romford and now Coventry offering full open cards. It's important that, if we want to sustain a decent OR book for ourselves, that, I feel, the following needs to happen:
> Every distance to be advertised
> Maidens, Puppy and Veteran's to be considered
> Prize Money increase.
> Regular Opens (obviously when they fill!) Meaning make Wednesday 'Swindon's' OR Day, like Hove/Henlow have done for Thurs, Romford for Friday's etc
Obviously, these are wishful thinking, but the increase in prize money has certainly worked for Sittingbourne in recent times, and Coventry are, I believe, going to set the standard for OR prize money, as I feel they will have no problem filling their opens.
As for the time being? I know it's a headache, but if you have a dog that is capable of competing on the OR level, then travel! Some may disagree with me on this, but I think that if the dog is capable and you wish to reach said dog's full potential, then you have to vary up it's card. Running constantly at Swindon, I'm sorry, isn't reaching a potentially brilliant dog's potential.
Anyway, after that little bit, here's my preview for the final(s)!
20:52 - The May Monkey 509er Final (Wednesday 16th May)
My Pick: Hernandez
A very good final indeed, and certainly one to get the brain working. For me, anyone could win it. However, I'm going to remain faithful in a Swindonite, in the form of Hernandez. Chris Stringer's dog always seems to get the better of me whenever I'm tipping opens! He ran really well in the heat, and the 509 trip seems to suit really well, and his change of seeding from a wide runner to middle is the right choice. Sawpit Sensation and Crusty Crab had a good tussle in the opening heat last week, and you've got to think that these two could also be there or thereabouts. Farley Totti is going to be my forecast link here. He's got a cracking rails draw and could get a pretty clear ride of it.
16:27 - The BAGS/SIS 500 Final (Friday 18th May, live on SIS)
My Pick: Molineux Darcy
I will be honest here, I think Primo Hotty has it all going for it in the final. He's got the draw, the best time of the heat winners, and is the bookies favourite. However, if you're one to look outside the box (like moi), then I think Molineux Darcy could be a player. Trained by Pete Swadden, Darcy has some decent times on her clock, including a 29.15 some time ago now. She's got the trap one draw in the final, and she stays on well.
Tuesday, 8 May 2012
The Swindon Monkey 509er Preview
It's 509er time again! Here's my preview on the races, aswell as my NAP and NB from the graded card. Its a really good competition this time around, with plenty of outside dogs turning up to compete for the £500 grand prize!
The Swindon Monkey 509er - Heat 1
My Pick: Sawpit Sensation
Alot of this race really relies on which Crusty Crab is going to turn up. Crusty has the track record over this trip, posting 29.59 some time ago now, and has had his fair share of injury problems since then. He has trialled back very well, posting a 29.81 in his last trial, but a solo compared to a six dog race is a completely different ballgame.
To me, Sawpit Sensation is the form dog going into this race. David Hunt's son of No Joke Sherry has been strutting his stuff around Nottingham most recently, clocking some decent times for their 500m trip. His most recent form at Swindon is where he came second in the last Monkey 509er final to Ding Hero. He shares the track record at Perry Barr, and went into the Ladbrokes Mobile Arc as one of the favourites, so he certainly has the form book to back it up. He does leave his running a bit late, so you'd want him lying in a handy position off the 3rd to be within a chance of collecting. He likes a long run up as well. I'd expect him to be a pretty decent price (I'll say 7/4) against the Crab, so he'd definitely be worth a punt.
As for the others in the race, Queen O The Mall is outclassed and isn't really up with this level. Riverside Jess comes off the back of some Poole form, winning in a good 26.78. A good time on her Irish card is the 28.73 at Shelbourne, so she's worth putting in the book for a forecast link. Winslow Wonder is a good A1/A2 dog at Oxford, nothing more really. Head Teacher is a grader from Harlow, but put in a decent 29.25 calc first look at Swindon Saturday and was striding well, I'm expecting some improvement.
The Pick: 2-6-4
The Swindon Monkey 509er - Heat 2
My Pick: Droopys College (OR NAP)
In heat 2, I'm siding with one of the two Jo Burridge runners, Droopys College. College is out of the sam Droopys Jackie, which has thrown such dogs as Deanridge Rage and Rayvin Again, so he's certainly got some good bloodlines. His form at Poole is very good, posting 26.71 for their 450m trip, but also posting a very quick 38.96 (I believe the track record is Wise Totty's 38.68) for their stayers trip. This proves to me this dog is the full package, he has early pace and stays, ideal for this 509 trip. I also make him my OR NAP.
The placepot to me lies with Hernandez. Again, its a case of which Hernandez is going to show up. He sparkled just before The Arc, posting a very quick 28.51, thrashing a very good field in a trial stake. However since then he hasn't really done an awful lot. His Williamhill.com Derby campaign was pretty poor, and he just doesn't seem to be firing. We know he's more than capable, its just when the ball is finally going to drop!
As for the others in the race, Droopys Rosemary is one of the representatives for Dave Mullins running from trap one. She has a good time out last time at Romford, but their trip to this 509 is a massive step up. However, she has run 500m Sittingbourne, so there is obviously some feeling that she does stay well enough. The lack of a look is a concern.
Sawpit Sydney is in trap two, and to me hasn't really done all that well at Swindon in his last two visits. I don't think he's taken to the track really.
Omega Mick is Jo Burridge's second runner in this race, and has some very good form round here aswell as Hove and Poole. Looking at his card I presume that he's on the comeback from a spell of lameness. One thing to note is that the dog hasn't won a race in nearly 8 months!
Droopys Gizmo is Dave Mullins' other runner, and has a pretty decent card to him. Regular A1 performer at Romford, but he's never been tried over this far a trip. He has good breeding, being a litter brother to Droopys Boo.
My Pick: 5-3-6 (OR NAP)
The Swindon Monkey 509er - Heat 3
My Pick: Ardmayle Player
This is a pretty tough little heat. I'm marginally gone for Player, just over Farloe Orion. I certainly think its a race between these two.
Player has been round the open race circuit a bit in the past couple of races, posting a good win at Henlow and running well at Hove. This 509 trip is right up his street, and the switch-a-roo of tracks might've done him some good. Sometimes the switch of a track does wonders for a dog, fingers crossed it does it here!
Farloe Orion, for trainer Mervyn Jeans, has written his fair share of bad luck stories in running, I think should have a few more wins to his name for the performances he's given. He's a very strong finisher, arguably even a very short 6 bend dog, and should be flying home towards the end. He's got a very good draw in trap one, with trap 2 that should really be a middle seed, he should get a clear run up to the bend.
For the third place, I'm siding with Dave Smith's Farley Totti. He's been a bit out of sorts recently, but he stays well enough and is a class animal on his day.
My Pick: 6-1-3
Graded NAP: Hoots Mon
My graded NAP runs in the last race of the night. Hoots Mon, trained by Kevin Hutton, to me has a plum draw in trap four, with Eruption on his inside wanting the paint in my opinion, and with Baby Bubba needing the stripes. His Irish card is top class, and should be running at a better level than what he currently is.
Graded NB: Ardmayle Anna
My graded NB runs in race three in the shape of Ardmayle Anna. Chris Stringers bitch is only a baby (Aug'10), but ran really well last time out in behind Stockwell Linda. Linda showed some cracking early pace and went about four clear down the back, but Anna tracked her really well and finished strongly. I don't feel there is as much early pace in the race as last time. The only real danger is Bolt The Gate taking her ground into the first bend, as I feel from three he moves off just a tad. If she can pitch in two lengths behind him off the second, I think it's game over.
Thank you for reading this ladies and gentleman, and fingers crossed if you are following these tips that they come off for you.
Happy Punting!
Chris Watts
The Swindon Monkey 509er - Heat 1
My Pick: Sawpit Sensation
Alot of this race really relies on which Crusty Crab is going to turn up. Crusty has the track record over this trip, posting 29.59 some time ago now, and has had his fair share of injury problems since then. He has trialled back very well, posting a 29.81 in his last trial, but a solo compared to a six dog race is a completely different ballgame.
To me, Sawpit Sensation is the form dog going into this race. David Hunt's son of No Joke Sherry has been strutting his stuff around Nottingham most recently, clocking some decent times for their 500m trip. His most recent form at Swindon is where he came second in the last Monkey 509er final to Ding Hero. He shares the track record at Perry Barr, and went into the Ladbrokes Mobile Arc as one of the favourites, so he certainly has the form book to back it up. He does leave his running a bit late, so you'd want him lying in a handy position off the 3rd to be within a chance of collecting. He likes a long run up as well. I'd expect him to be a pretty decent price (I'll say 7/4) against the Crab, so he'd definitely be worth a punt.
As for the others in the race, Queen O The Mall is outclassed and isn't really up with this level. Riverside Jess comes off the back of some Poole form, winning in a good 26.78. A good time on her Irish card is the 28.73 at Shelbourne, so she's worth putting in the book for a forecast link. Winslow Wonder is a good A1/A2 dog at Oxford, nothing more really. Head Teacher is a grader from Harlow, but put in a decent 29.25 calc first look at Swindon Saturday and was striding well, I'm expecting some improvement.
The Pick: 2-6-4
The Swindon Monkey 509er - Heat 2
My Pick: Droopys College (OR NAP)
In heat 2, I'm siding with one of the two Jo Burridge runners, Droopys College. College is out of the sam Droopys Jackie, which has thrown such dogs as Deanridge Rage and Rayvin Again, so he's certainly got some good bloodlines. His form at Poole is very good, posting 26.71 for their 450m trip, but also posting a very quick 38.96 (I believe the track record is Wise Totty's 38.68) for their stayers trip. This proves to me this dog is the full package, he has early pace and stays, ideal for this 509 trip. I also make him my OR NAP.
The placepot to me lies with Hernandez. Again, its a case of which Hernandez is going to show up. He sparkled just before The Arc, posting a very quick 28.51, thrashing a very good field in a trial stake. However since then he hasn't really done an awful lot. His Williamhill.com Derby campaign was pretty poor, and he just doesn't seem to be firing. We know he's more than capable, its just when the ball is finally going to drop!
As for the others in the race, Droopys Rosemary is one of the representatives for Dave Mullins running from trap one. She has a good time out last time at Romford, but their trip to this 509 is a massive step up. However, she has run 500m Sittingbourne, so there is obviously some feeling that she does stay well enough. The lack of a look is a concern.
Sawpit Sydney is in trap two, and to me hasn't really done all that well at Swindon in his last two visits. I don't think he's taken to the track really.
Omega Mick is Jo Burridge's second runner in this race, and has some very good form round here aswell as Hove and Poole. Looking at his card I presume that he's on the comeback from a spell of lameness. One thing to note is that the dog hasn't won a race in nearly 8 months!
Droopys Gizmo is Dave Mullins' other runner, and has a pretty decent card to him. Regular A1 performer at Romford, but he's never been tried over this far a trip. He has good breeding, being a litter brother to Droopys Boo.
My Pick: 5-3-6 (OR NAP)
The Swindon Monkey 509er - Heat 3
My Pick: Ardmayle Player
This is a pretty tough little heat. I'm marginally gone for Player, just over Farloe Orion. I certainly think its a race between these two.
Player has been round the open race circuit a bit in the past couple of races, posting a good win at Henlow and running well at Hove. This 509 trip is right up his street, and the switch-a-roo of tracks might've done him some good. Sometimes the switch of a track does wonders for a dog, fingers crossed it does it here!
Farloe Orion, for trainer Mervyn Jeans, has written his fair share of bad luck stories in running, I think should have a few more wins to his name for the performances he's given. He's a very strong finisher, arguably even a very short 6 bend dog, and should be flying home towards the end. He's got a very good draw in trap one, with trap 2 that should really be a middle seed, he should get a clear run up to the bend.
For the third place, I'm siding with Dave Smith's Farley Totti. He's been a bit out of sorts recently, but he stays well enough and is a class animal on his day.
My Pick: 6-1-3
Graded NAP: Hoots Mon
My graded NAP runs in the last race of the night. Hoots Mon, trained by Kevin Hutton, to me has a plum draw in trap four, with Eruption on his inside wanting the paint in my opinion, and with Baby Bubba needing the stripes. His Irish card is top class, and should be running at a better level than what he currently is.
Graded NB: Ardmayle Anna
My graded NB runs in race three in the shape of Ardmayle Anna. Chris Stringers bitch is only a baby (Aug'10), but ran really well last time out in behind Stockwell Linda. Linda showed some cracking early pace and went about four clear down the back, but Anna tracked her really well and finished strongly. I don't feel there is as much early pace in the race as last time. The only real danger is Bolt The Gate taking her ground into the first bend, as I feel from three he moves off just a tad. If she can pitch in two lengths behind him off the second, I think it's game over.
Thank you for reading this ladies and gentleman, and fingers crossed if you are following these tips that they come off for you.
Happy Punting!
Chris Watts
Sunday, 6 May 2012
The Derby, Produce Stakes etc
How's everyone doing? Seems like an age since I've posted on here, so I thought it was due some of my literary spiel. This period of greyhound racing is always an exciting time, what with the Derby taking place and all. The Greyhound Derby is the pinnacle event in our sport, and lets be honest its the one competition that everyone strives to be a part of, or their goal is to be in. And, for £125,000 to the winner, I wouldn't blame you!
This year is certainly a case of quality over quantity, with this for me being one of the key highlight years. You've got so many cracking dogs around at the moment, and the hope is that all the best ones end up in the final (of course, that probably won't happen!). Whilst we are in this twilight period of greyhound racing, I don't know why they don't try to get the best of the best together for a race.
Every sport has it, Tyson vs. Lewis, Hogan vs. Rock, Utd vs. City. People strive to see the best come together to compete, so why on earth no one has jumped on the wagon is beyond me. Imagine this race for a second:
1) Taylors Sky
2) Droopys Jet
3) Eden Star
4) Silverview Perky
5) Milldean Panther
6) Razldazl Jayfkay
Now those are only my picks as they are, at the moment, my favourite dogs and the fastest in my opinion. Who wouldn't want to see this race? To see who is the best of the best? I bet if a sponser picked this race up, the bookies would make a ruddy fortune on the betting, Sky would get some pretty decent viewing numbers, and everyone would get to see the classiest race ever go into a trap. A win win scenario surely? Now obviously the 6 competitors would probably different to mine, and actually I would probably take out Perky and Jet and make it a 4 dog race, but still it's just the sheer class that greyhound fans like myself crave to see on a track.
And as for the track it would run at? Why Swindon of course . . . .
Now, staying a bit closer to home, we have the Produce Stakes right round the corner. Again, it's got this time of year, and I start looking around at the OR scene and other tracks to see what British Breds are about. I'll be honest, I'm a tad concerned. I think the whole downfall of British Breeding is really to catch quite a strangle hold as, to be honest, there aren't that many decent british breds around nowadays. A few years back, you could look at the likes of Nick Savva and see a bucket load of Westmead's, and more recently Dave Firmager has produced some very classy dogs. But this year to me it doesn't look like being the most classy of competitions. Now I'm all for the Produce Stakes, and actually I think Swindon's dogs have a great chance in it this year, but you do have to look at the forecast in British Breeding and gulp just a little bit. There isn't a whole lot of class being produced here nowadays, which is very sad.
In this sense, can you remember who won the Produce last year? And what they went on to achieve? Exactly my point.
This year is certainly a case of quality over quantity, with this for me being one of the key highlight years. You've got so many cracking dogs around at the moment, and the hope is that all the best ones end up in the final (of course, that probably won't happen!). Whilst we are in this twilight period of greyhound racing, I don't know why they don't try to get the best of the best together for a race.
Every sport has it, Tyson vs. Lewis, Hogan vs. Rock, Utd vs. City. People strive to see the best come together to compete, so why on earth no one has jumped on the wagon is beyond me. Imagine this race for a second:
1) Taylors Sky
2) Droopys Jet
3) Eden Star
4) Silverview Perky
5) Milldean Panther
6) Razldazl Jayfkay
Now those are only my picks as they are, at the moment, my favourite dogs and the fastest in my opinion. Who wouldn't want to see this race? To see who is the best of the best? I bet if a sponser picked this race up, the bookies would make a ruddy fortune on the betting, Sky would get some pretty decent viewing numbers, and everyone would get to see the classiest race ever go into a trap. A win win scenario surely? Now obviously the 6 competitors would probably different to mine, and actually I would probably take out Perky and Jet and make it a 4 dog race, but still it's just the sheer class that greyhound fans like myself crave to see on a track.
And as for the track it would run at? Why Swindon of course . . . .
Now, staying a bit closer to home, we have the Produce Stakes right round the corner. Again, it's got this time of year, and I start looking around at the OR scene and other tracks to see what British Breds are about. I'll be honest, I'm a tad concerned. I think the whole downfall of British Breeding is really to catch quite a strangle hold as, to be honest, there aren't that many decent british breds around nowadays. A few years back, you could look at the likes of Nick Savva and see a bucket load of Westmead's, and more recently Dave Firmager has produced some very classy dogs. But this year to me it doesn't look like being the most classy of competitions. Now I'm all for the Produce Stakes, and actually I think Swindon's dogs have a great chance in it this year, but you do have to look at the forecast in British Breeding and gulp just a little bit. There isn't a whole lot of class being produced here nowadays, which is very sad.
In this sense, can you remember who won the Produce last year? And what they went on to achieve? Exactly my point.
Sunday, 22 April 2012
Coventry Re-Opening, Swindon's Derby Dogs, Produce Stakes, Puppy Graded
I thought I'd go back to the old format of blogging for this one, as its a rather mixed bag of different things.
Coventry Reopening:
Some great news this week with the announced reopening of Coventry Greyhounds. Many congratulations to Harry Findley and everyone involved in getting the track back up to scratch. From what I've heard, alot of work has gone into ensuring the the racing surface is top notch (as it always was), and new equipment has been installed throughout the place. I just hope that this time they don't go OTT like what happened last time, and we all remember what happened there.
Coventry reopening can do wonders for Swindon in my opinion. We have a very strong graded strength here and Coventry is ideally situated for open racing. Coventry will be open racing on Sunday's, with half decent money being paid, so there isn't an excuse now for not picking up a minor open or two. Coventry's a very strong gallop like Swindon, and always suits our runners whenever I saw them up there. Fingers crossed our trainers can take advantage and pick up some OR wins.
Swindon's Derby Dogs:
I must admit I'm getting rather excited now about the Derby. Entries closed on Wednesday, and its good to see a couple of Swindon faces in there. Chris Stringer has Hernandez entered who, on paper, is a class act and could go with the best of them. He just needs to get his racing cap, then he can do wonders for the Stringer camp.
Sir Dartnall is also quite well supported in the derby, with Farloe Iceman, Ironman and Ballymac Cryan spearheading his team. I will say it now, I don't think Cryan is a derby dog really, alas we'll wait and see. Iceman is an absolute machine when he gets it right, and could be a very good thing going into the derby. Fingers crossed Matt can reach another derby final
Puppy Graded Racing
This is something that a few people have spoken to me about recently. Puppy graded races seem to have been cropping up at a few tracks recently (inc. Poole). My stance on them is that I think putting six pups in together, especially if theyre in-experienced, doesn't really do much good. I think that pups learn better when they're put in with experienced campaigners, who can then show them round the track a bit. If you've got six pups in a race that have no or very little track knowledge, they could all be in a pickle.
Saying that, a puppy graded race whereby the pup has had a few races and just needs an easier run, however not dropping grades, is a pretty sensible idea.
Coventry Reopening:
Some great news this week with the announced reopening of Coventry Greyhounds. Many congratulations to Harry Findley and everyone involved in getting the track back up to scratch. From what I've heard, alot of work has gone into ensuring the the racing surface is top notch (as it always was), and new equipment has been installed throughout the place. I just hope that this time they don't go OTT like what happened last time, and we all remember what happened there.
Coventry reopening can do wonders for Swindon in my opinion. We have a very strong graded strength here and Coventry is ideally situated for open racing. Coventry will be open racing on Sunday's, with half decent money being paid, so there isn't an excuse now for not picking up a minor open or two. Coventry's a very strong gallop like Swindon, and always suits our runners whenever I saw them up there. Fingers crossed our trainers can take advantage and pick up some OR wins.
Swindon's Derby Dogs:
I must admit I'm getting rather excited now about the Derby. Entries closed on Wednesday, and its good to see a couple of Swindon faces in there. Chris Stringer has Hernandez entered who, on paper, is a class act and could go with the best of them. He just needs to get his racing cap, then he can do wonders for the Stringer camp.
Sir Dartnall is also quite well supported in the derby, with Farloe Iceman, Ironman and Ballymac Cryan spearheading his team. I will say it now, I don't think Cryan is a derby dog really, alas we'll wait and see. Iceman is an absolute machine when he gets it right, and could be a very good thing going into the derby. Fingers crossed Matt can reach another derby final
Puppy Graded Racing
This is something that a few people have spoken to me about recently. Puppy graded races seem to have been cropping up at a few tracks recently (inc. Poole). My stance on them is that I think putting six pups in together, especially if theyre in-experienced, doesn't really do much good. I think that pups learn better when they're put in with experienced campaigners, who can then show them round the track a bit. If you've got six pups in a race that have no or very little track knowledge, they could all be in a pickle.
Saying that, a puppy graded race whereby the pup has had a few races and just needs an easier run, however not dropping grades, is a pretty sensible idea.
Tuesday, 10 April 2012
Thursday, 5 April 2012
BAGS/SIS Easter Bunny Finals Preview
I must first apologise for doing such an in depth preview in text form. I would've done an audio blog, however I'm completely bunged up to the hills and didn't think you'd appreciate hearing me coughing my lungs on through a microphone!
Still, tomorrow see's Swindon as hosts to the Grand Finals of the BAGS/SIS Easter Bunny Series. I've taken a good look at the form and I think/hope I've found you a couple of winners! There are 12 races in total tomorrow, with 3 graded accompanying the finals. The finals start from race 3, due off at 14:47.
I will also take this time to say kudos to those trainers making very long journeys to get to Swindon on Good Friday. We have trainers travelling from Newcastle, Sunderland, and all over the UK to race in the finals, so hats off to all the trainers, kennelhands, and everyone involved.
14:47 - The BAGS/SIS Easter Bunny Series Final Sprint Division C
My Pick: Ryves Rock
As with all the finals, both Clive and John Johnson (The BAGS Boss) have split up the races into three divisions.
To me, Ryves Rock looks to be a good thing in this race. Trained by Barry O' Sullivan at Crayford, he posted a pretty respectable 16.60 for a first look on Tuesday. Considering the change in track (Crayford is the tightest track in the country) compared to the gallop that is Swindon, I was impressed with the way he run. Hopefully he can overcome the trap 1 hoodoo that I spoke about in the last blog.
A big runner in this race will be Galtee Alfie in trap 3. Ernie Gaskins' runner is top grade at Romford, and again being a short, front runner track, he should translate the early pace to a sprint here at Swindon. Again, Alfie had a look round the track last week. Don't underestimate any trial time that a dog has posted, the look round a track, especially with so many dogs from other tracks, may prove vital.
15:07 - The BAGS/SIS Easter Bunny Stayers Final - Division C
My Pick: Grazeley Royal (NB)
I must say I think this may be one of the best bets on the entire card. Royal, trained at our sister track Poole by Ken Mitchell, has only just turned two, however he posted a pretty nippy 39.09 for the 640m trip down there in his last run over S2. This is pretty shifty, and that sort of form translates well. Its seems that he will suit a gallop aswell, as he does the majority of running late on.
Only a couple of greyhounds have had a look round the track recently, and I personally think that it is worth any runner going over 6 bends to have a trial. The reason for this is that the run to the bend for the 685m trip is actually reasonably short, and you may find that alot of dogs that don't know the track will run off at the bend.
My forecast link is Inishowen Bella in trap 5. Nick Colton, who is representing Oxford in this competition, who has run this track plenty of times before. The times may not stack up, but the course knowledge will help considerably.
15:28 - The BAGS/SIS Easter Bunny Standard Final - Division C
My Pick: Pharaoh Loch
The pick for this race was actually a bit difficult, as I think this race is all between the 4 and the 3. Pharaoh Loch has some pretty good form at Hall Green, posting a best of 28.65 (28.66 when winning), which is a nice time and translates to roughly a 28.90 at Swindon. An issue, however, is the draw, with their being 5 railers in the race. Saying this, the way I read it is that the 4 and the 3 get to the bend together.
I've been particularly impressed with Sporty Ted in trials, not so much for the times he's posting, but for his acceleration off the 2nd into the 3rd. It could see him potentially winning this race. Again, you have to see that he's coming from Romford, which is a much shorter trip.
The best drawn dog in the race is the 6 dog, Monkspath Azluke. He's also had a look, and has got some good times at Monmore, again a track where the times translate, however doesn't have much early, which he'll need to live with some of these dogs.
15:48 - The BAGS/SIS Easter Bunny Sprint Final - Division B
My Pick: Ardbeg Chris
Toughest race on the card for me this, and I've just picked out Ardbeg Chris, but realistically any one of these can win (3/1 the field race the way I've read it). In fairness the reason I've picked Chris is that, obviously, its my name aswell, and I know some people bet that way! In all seriousness, he's the dog in the race with the most sprinting form, and has the best sprint card in the race, picking up a couple of D1's and such as local track Hove. Ken Tester's dog should be able to lead Many Moons Ago on his inside and take the rails lane all the way.
I think a big runner in behind could be Sunderland's Blue Glenard. She's a consistent sort over sprints at her local track, however the lack of a look round (understandable considering they're so far away), could be an issue.
16.08 - The BAGS/SIS Easter Bunny Stayers Final - Division B
My Pick: Drifting Home
A pretty poor race this, in terms of the draw really. 5 railers in a stayers race isn't ever ideal, and I can see Drifting Home taking a pitch on the wide outside and getting away with missing the trouble. The time in winning the final at Nottingham is pretty impressive, and to be a consistent A2 performer round that circuit stands in it good stead.
As for a forecast link, I'm looking at the dog drawn in trap 1, Ardant Owen. The Romford raider is, obviously, the best drawn of the railers, and if he can pitch about 3rd going round the first he could be a contender. Again, looking at the form of these hounds, they've been running over much shorter 6 bend trips then Swindon's demanding 685 trip, so when you're looking at the card and see a Romford dog with SAw,RanOn round there, to me it reads that it'll stay the trip.
Also, it's good to see so many of the dogs in the race have had a look round!
16:27 - The BAGS/SIS Easter Bunny Standard Final - Division B
My Pick: Bransa Steal
One for the Kinner's boys in this race! I think Bransa looks to be a good thing in this race. Posting 27.58 on his last outing at his local track, a cracking time, I think he can come on for the trial he posted last week. I'm expecting a big run from this fella, he could be a big price aswell.
Swindon's own JP runs in this race with his progressive pup Matties Mate, who ran well in behind Ardmayle Mohammed in the final. He's certainly on the up this pup, and has open race potential. However, one thing to note about the pups is that they're being thrown in at the deep end quite a bit, as these finals are the equivalent of Open Races for these babies.
I think Hedsor Arthur will run a big race for Mal Cumner in the 6 box. The only wide seed in the race always helps, and posting a 28.80 last time in a trial is always a plus. However the concern with these SAw,RanOn types is that, in trials, they have the space to be able to make their move and post these times. In a race, if they're coming off the pace, they have to find the space and exploit it, however there is usually a wall of dogs in the way! Something to note, especially when looking at Open Races.
16:47 - The BAGS/SIS Easter Bunny Sprint Final - Division A
My Pick: Ballyoak Alice
This was a tough race this, however I have just about sided with the very exciting pup Ballyoak Alice. Trained down at Poole, she has come right through the grades, reaching A1 grade looking at her last 450m run. The sprint time that she posted in the final was very impressive. The camp obviously think they have something a bit special, as they took her for a trial down at Peterborough, obviously with the Puppy Derby there in mind.
I did, however, keep looking at the dog in red, Judys Bloom. Andy Heyes' bitch has been in fine form at her local track Belle Vue, winning in A1 grade there. She's posted a couple of decent trials in the past couple of weeks, however again the trap 1 draw for me isn't the best in these sprints. If she does manage to crack out, however, she wins.
17:07 - The BAGS/SIS Easter Bunny Stayers Final - Division A
My Pick: Commander Tom
I've bigged up Commander Tom in both the heats and the final, and I hope he can justify himself in this grand final! I just think that Tom has the great draw in trap 1, and if he can reproduce the sectional that he posted in his trial and opening heat, he has the class to see these off. The way I've read the race, there really isn't alot of late pace, bar the other Swindonite Juno The Boys. I do just think that Commander Tom is the best dog in the race.
One big danger is Ballybrook in trap 5. John Coleman's stayer made the field look like fools in the heats and final down at Sittingbourne. Again, the camp must've had an inkling they had something special, as they took him to Monmore for the Spring Festival. His trial time at Swindon, really you need to take about 0.2 off of his time, as he lost a bundle when he practically went out to the hare rail. Wide2 doesn't really do justice, VVVW2 would be more appropriate!
17:22 - The BAGS/SIS Easter Bunny Standard Final - Division A
My Pick: Tullna Panda - NAP
To me, Panda is the best dog in this race. Trained by Derek Knight, he posted an impressive 29.88 (for Hove 515, very good), and trialled round in an impressive 28.86 last week. He just has the makings of a winner here. He has early pace to burn (his sectional round Hove, 04.08, is blinding quick), and I think he makes all here.
The challengers in my eyes are in the form of Denwill Star and Ardmayle Mohammed. Star, trained by Jimmy Fenwick up at Newcastle, has some sparkling A1 form at the track, with regular 28.90 odd runs round there. Newcastle and Swindon are very similar gallops, so don't expect the trip to put him off. Mohammed, trained by Chris Stringer, was an impressive winner of the final here at Swindon, and is the sole wide runner in the race, which could really work in his favour. A very strong runner towards the finish, he could catch a couple of the early pace dogs off guard.
There's my picks folks, hopefully I've managed to find a couple of winners for you. If you have any comments about anything, or wish for something to be discussed, feel free to contact me on:
Email: SwindonGreyhound@gmail.com
Twitter: @SwindonRacing
Facebook: Swindon Greyhounds
Good luck to all those in the final, fingers crossed for the locals in the competition!
Happy Punting!!
Chris Watts
Still, tomorrow see's Swindon as hosts to the Grand Finals of the BAGS/SIS Easter Bunny Series. I've taken a good look at the form and I think/hope I've found you a couple of winners! There are 12 races in total tomorrow, with 3 graded accompanying the finals. The finals start from race 3, due off at 14:47.
I will also take this time to say kudos to those trainers making very long journeys to get to Swindon on Good Friday. We have trainers travelling from Newcastle, Sunderland, and all over the UK to race in the finals, so hats off to all the trainers, kennelhands, and everyone involved.
14:47 - The BAGS/SIS Easter Bunny Series Final Sprint Division C
My Pick: Ryves Rock
As with all the finals, both Clive and John Johnson (The BAGS Boss) have split up the races into three divisions.
To me, Ryves Rock looks to be a good thing in this race. Trained by Barry O' Sullivan at Crayford, he posted a pretty respectable 16.60 for a first look on Tuesday. Considering the change in track (Crayford is the tightest track in the country) compared to the gallop that is Swindon, I was impressed with the way he run. Hopefully he can overcome the trap 1 hoodoo that I spoke about in the last blog.
A big runner in this race will be Galtee Alfie in trap 3. Ernie Gaskins' runner is top grade at Romford, and again being a short, front runner track, he should translate the early pace to a sprint here at Swindon. Again, Alfie had a look round the track last week. Don't underestimate any trial time that a dog has posted, the look round a track, especially with so many dogs from other tracks, may prove vital.
15:07 - The BAGS/SIS Easter Bunny Stayers Final - Division C
My Pick: Grazeley Royal (NB)
I must say I think this may be one of the best bets on the entire card. Royal, trained at our sister track Poole by Ken Mitchell, has only just turned two, however he posted a pretty nippy 39.09 for the 640m trip down there in his last run over S2. This is pretty shifty, and that sort of form translates well. Its seems that he will suit a gallop aswell, as he does the majority of running late on.
Only a couple of greyhounds have had a look round the track recently, and I personally think that it is worth any runner going over 6 bends to have a trial. The reason for this is that the run to the bend for the 685m trip is actually reasonably short, and you may find that alot of dogs that don't know the track will run off at the bend.
My forecast link is Inishowen Bella in trap 5. Nick Colton, who is representing Oxford in this competition, who has run this track plenty of times before. The times may not stack up, but the course knowledge will help considerably.
15:28 - The BAGS/SIS Easter Bunny Standard Final - Division C
My Pick: Pharaoh Loch
The pick for this race was actually a bit difficult, as I think this race is all between the 4 and the 3. Pharaoh Loch has some pretty good form at Hall Green, posting a best of 28.65 (28.66 when winning), which is a nice time and translates to roughly a 28.90 at Swindon. An issue, however, is the draw, with their being 5 railers in the race. Saying this, the way I read it is that the 4 and the 3 get to the bend together.
I've been particularly impressed with Sporty Ted in trials, not so much for the times he's posting, but for his acceleration off the 2nd into the 3rd. It could see him potentially winning this race. Again, you have to see that he's coming from Romford, which is a much shorter trip.
The best drawn dog in the race is the 6 dog, Monkspath Azluke. He's also had a look, and has got some good times at Monmore, again a track where the times translate, however doesn't have much early, which he'll need to live with some of these dogs.
15:48 - The BAGS/SIS Easter Bunny Sprint Final - Division B
My Pick: Ardbeg Chris
Toughest race on the card for me this, and I've just picked out Ardbeg Chris, but realistically any one of these can win (3/1 the field race the way I've read it). In fairness the reason I've picked Chris is that, obviously, its my name aswell, and I know some people bet that way! In all seriousness, he's the dog in the race with the most sprinting form, and has the best sprint card in the race, picking up a couple of D1's and such as local track Hove. Ken Tester's dog should be able to lead Many Moons Ago on his inside and take the rails lane all the way.
I think a big runner in behind could be Sunderland's Blue Glenard. She's a consistent sort over sprints at her local track, however the lack of a look round (understandable considering they're so far away), could be an issue.
16.08 - The BAGS/SIS Easter Bunny Stayers Final - Division B
My Pick: Drifting Home
A pretty poor race this, in terms of the draw really. 5 railers in a stayers race isn't ever ideal, and I can see Drifting Home taking a pitch on the wide outside and getting away with missing the trouble. The time in winning the final at Nottingham is pretty impressive, and to be a consistent A2 performer round that circuit stands in it good stead.
As for a forecast link, I'm looking at the dog drawn in trap 1, Ardant Owen. The Romford raider is, obviously, the best drawn of the railers, and if he can pitch about 3rd going round the first he could be a contender. Again, looking at the form of these hounds, they've been running over much shorter 6 bend trips then Swindon's demanding 685 trip, so when you're looking at the card and see a Romford dog with SAw,RanOn round there, to me it reads that it'll stay the trip.
Also, it's good to see so many of the dogs in the race have had a look round!
16:27 - The BAGS/SIS Easter Bunny Standard Final - Division B
My Pick: Bransa Steal
One for the Kinner's boys in this race! I think Bransa looks to be a good thing in this race. Posting 27.58 on his last outing at his local track, a cracking time, I think he can come on for the trial he posted last week. I'm expecting a big run from this fella, he could be a big price aswell.
Swindon's own JP runs in this race with his progressive pup Matties Mate, who ran well in behind Ardmayle Mohammed in the final. He's certainly on the up this pup, and has open race potential. However, one thing to note about the pups is that they're being thrown in at the deep end quite a bit, as these finals are the equivalent of Open Races for these babies.
I think Hedsor Arthur will run a big race for Mal Cumner in the 6 box. The only wide seed in the race always helps, and posting a 28.80 last time in a trial is always a plus. However the concern with these SAw,RanOn types is that, in trials, they have the space to be able to make their move and post these times. In a race, if they're coming off the pace, they have to find the space and exploit it, however there is usually a wall of dogs in the way! Something to note, especially when looking at Open Races.
16:47 - The BAGS/SIS Easter Bunny Sprint Final - Division A
My Pick: Ballyoak Alice
This was a tough race this, however I have just about sided with the very exciting pup Ballyoak Alice. Trained down at Poole, she has come right through the grades, reaching A1 grade looking at her last 450m run. The sprint time that she posted in the final was very impressive. The camp obviously think they have something a bit special, as they took her for a trial down at Peterborough, obviously with the Puppy Derby there in mind.
I did, however, keep looking at the dog in red, Judys Bloom. Andy Heyes' bitch has been in fine form at her local track Belle Vue, winning in A1 grade there. She's posted a couple of decent trials in the past couple of weeks, however again the trap 1 draw for me isn't the best in these sprints. If she does manage to crack out, however, she wins.
17:07 - The BAGS/SIS Easter Bunny Stayers Final - Division A
My Pick: Commander Tom
I've bigged up Commander Tom in both the heats and the final, and I hope he can justify himself in this grand final! I just think that Tom has the great draw in trap 1, and if he can reproduce the sectional that he posted in his trial and opening heat, he has the class to see these off. The way I've read the race, there really isn't alot of late pace, bar the other Swindonite Juno The Boys. I do just think that Commander Tom is the best dog in the race.
One big danger is Ballybrook in trap 5. John Coleman's stayer made the field look like fools in the heats and final down at Sittingbourne. Again, the camp must've had an inkling they had something special, as they took him to Monmore for the Spring Festival. His trial time at Swindon, really you need to take about 0.2 off of his time, as he lost a bundle when he practically went out to the hare rail. Wide2 doesn't really do justice, VVVW2 would be more appropriate!
17:22 - The BAGS/SIS Easter Bunny Standard Final - Division A
My Pick: Tullna Panda - NAP
To me, Panda is the best dog in this race. Trained by Derek Knight, he posted an impressive 29.88 (for Hove 515, very good), and trialled round in an impressive 28.86 last week. He just has the makings of a winner here. He has early pace to burn (his sectional round Hove, 04.08, is blinding quick), and I think he makes all here.
The challengers in my eyes are in the form of Denwill Star and Ardmayle Mohammed. Star, trained by Jimmy Fenwick up at Newcastle, has some sparkling A1 form at the track, with regular 28.90 odd runs round there. Newcastle and Swindon are very similar gallops, so don't expect the trip to put him off. Mohammed, trained by Chris Stringer, was an impressive winner of the final here at Swindon, and is the sole wide runner in the race, which could really work in his favour. A very strong runner towards the finish, he could catch a couple of the early pace dogs off guard.
There's my picks folks, hopefully I've managed to find a couple of winners for you. If you have any comments about anything, or wish for something to be discussed, feel free to contact me on:
Email: SwindonGreyhound@gmail.com
Twitter: @SwindonRacing
Facebook: Swindon Greyhounds
Good luck to all those in the final, fingers crossed for the locals in the competition!
Happy Punting!!
Chris Watts
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