An interesting week this week on the track as two greyhounds produced superb performances. On Tuesday Tony Collett's Lenson Joker ran riot in the final of the Cesarewitch at Oxford to establish himself as the leading stayer in the country and no excuses for our two - Coolanga Flyer (ran well) and Directors Chair. On Saturday Charlie Lister's Fear Zafonic realised his expensive price tag when he demolished a good field to land the Graphite UK Puppy final at a packed Walthamstow and looks to have the greyhound world at his feet. Our Bell Tornado ran a respectable race and looks capable of winning a decent few opens in the coming months. Talking of Walthamstow I was amazed at the large attendance on Saturday many of who wouldn't even know the stadium is closing in August and one wonders why this is being allowed by the powers that be!

The forthcoming William Hill Festival of Racing at Sunderland is building up over the last couple of weeks and we hope to have a number of trials and possibly races later this week. Directors Chair, Aero Blackjack, Seanis Lad (impressive winner Saturday) Seanis Strike (back from injury) and Scintillas Ruby are pencilled in.

Next week we will be busy preparing for our Kennel Summer Party and we are looking forward to seeing our owners and guests on Sunday. As stated it starts at 3 o'clock and one note, if owners would like to walk their greyhounds could they arrive a bit earlier.

OPEN RACING

Eye Onthe Flame was unlucky when failing by a short head to qualify for the next round of the 3G Hurdle at Crayford on Monday but no mistake from Eye Onthe Veto as he cruised to a 6 length victory in the heats of the Category 1 Vase in a fastest of the night 33.99 (-30).

On Tuesday at Oxford no luck for our runners on the Sky card at Oxford though Aero Blacjack ran OK when second to Cull Magic in the 640m beaten 2 lengths in 39.88 and Coolanga Flyer ran very well when 3rd in the Cesarewitch final behind Lenson Joker. At Walthamstow Bell Tornado sprang a 12/1 surprise when landing his semi-final of the Graphite UK Puppy Derby when cracking out and making all in a career best 28.69 (+20).

At Romford on Friday the highlight of the night was Eye Onthe Force who completed a five timer at the track with a battling victory in a moderate 36.69. Pinewood Evo ran well when third in a 400m Maiden and should improve for the look.

Saturday's Gala card supporting the Graphite UK Puppy Derby at Walthamstow started off brightly when Seanis Lad produced a fine run when winning the 430m in a fast 25.87 (-10). In Division 2 of the Puppy Standard Elusive Tuesday ran well when chasing home Cool Cashin going down by 1 1/4 lengths in 28.83 and in Division 1 Kinda Flashy ran a blinder when 2nd behind Jesters Nap beaten a length in 28.81. In the 640m Stayers Discreet Cat looked all over the winner when blasting to a 14.26 sectional but was all out to repel the field coming home and was caught on the line by Pennys Victor in 39.80. The same fate fell on Stride On Babe when she was caught on the run in by the strong Droopys Marjella beaten 1 1/4 lengths in 28.80.

WALTHAMSTOW REVIEW

The opening race on Mondays Bags card saw a kennel 1-2 when Special Roxi caught Largo Lassie close home in 29.21. Notanothersecond produced a great run when leading at the 4th bend and pulling away to win by 4 1/4 lengths in 29.15.

The graded races on Tuesday started well when Lode Monkey opened his account with a 3 length success in 29.32 (+20). Ballyfinn Swift (3rd) and Centaur Fuzzoms (2nd) ran well before Pinewood Evo scored by 2 lengths in 28.89 (+20) with a 4.84 sectional and to complete a good night Lockdale Duke landed a kennel 1-2 by beating Ortuna by 2 1/2 lengths in the A1.

On Thursday card Cassius Clay led and went clear but couldn't hold off the late challenge of Ardmayle Machine loosing by a neck in 29.73 in a H2. Roswell Startrek showed real pace to win a P7 by 2 1/2 lengths in 29.25 and Evan Herbert's other prospect Rusheen Classic led a warm P6 and went on to score in 29.17 with Goldcrest King catching the eye in 3rd on his debut. Jonos Patience had no answers to in form Larkhill Jackie going down by 2 1/4 lengths in 28.99 but Centaur Cappo got the winners going again when catching odds on favourite Ask The Question on the run in in 40.28 (-15). Lockdale Lady is nearing veteran status but is still running well and followed up last Saturdays win with another success by 4 lengths in 29.14. Chiili Cobra completed another great night for the kennel when trouncing an A2 field by over 5 lengths in 28.96.

 

PERFORMANCE OF THE WEEK

OPEN RACING- BELL TORNADO GRADED- RUSHEEN CLASSIC

 

WHATS ON THIS WEEK

Eye Onthe Veto is the new favourite for the Crayford Vase and on Monday he lines up in trap 6 in the first semi-final. Commander Chief returns to action at Hove on Wednesday's Bags in the heats of the Coral Standard over 515m with Rockburst Mason. We will be sending a few pups for trials at Hall Green on Thursday with the Gymcrack only a couple of weeks away. Opens at both Walthamstow on Thursday and Romford on Friday with a trip to Sunderland on Saturday should keep the opens ticking over.