A week of highs and lows in our kennel in the past week and unfortunately we are missing another greyhound as Box Of Tricks injured himself very badly on Tuesday night and could not be saved. Commiserations to Dave and Andy Cleal who earlier in the night had seen their bitch Lews Trickster win her first ever race and then have the night ruined by Boxer's injury. Although injuries of this nature are thankfully still rare, they sadly do happen occasionally and the only thing myself and my staff can do is to be professional and handle the situation as best we can. On that note, thanks to my kennelhands at the track that night, Sid and Sandra. Again on Thursday at Walthamstow we were unlucky to see a bad injury to our prolific open race finalist Blackmagic Guy after he broke down in his heat of the Test but luckily for Guy his injury although clearly a break was not complicated and we can happily report that Guy's leg should recover fully and athough his racing career is over, Jamie and Ros Langley his enthusiastic owners are to take him home to enjoy the rest of his days on their sofa! I will keep everyone informed of his progress and in the next couple of weeks put his full career record up to see.
There has been plenty of discussion amongst greyhound folk this week while I've been racing about a certain trainer who lost his licence after the N.G.R.C took a firm stance on positive samples. I personally applaud this decision as I feel there is no place for cheats in this game and drug abuse to slow down or enhance a dog's performance should be dealt with in this firm manner. We at the kennel have a proud record, both while Linda was in charge and since I've taken, over of not one positive test! i think for the amount of times that we get randomly tested, and I'm led to believe that our kennel is the most tested in the country(because of having most runners in open races not because they're trying to catch us out!), that is a record that is outstanding.
On a lighter note thanks for the feedback from Brian and I have given my staff an extra day off but not I might say for the 'happy' Hammers staying up but just because they work hard! And anyway its a case of sing when your winning because next year they might not be so lucky that Man Utd don't try to hard!

OPEN RACING

Ronnies Hare came closest for us at Harlow last Sunday when second to the prolific Winnies Ferrari in the sprint race. On Tuesday our first runners in the Derby Trial Stakes were in action and Raging Jack having his first race for five weeks since splitting a web found all kinds of trouble to finish third and should be all the better for the run. Directors Wish was another who found his share of problems getting a clean run but the nature of this strapping blue dog is one of having to come from behind and although fourth in the race it was a joy to see him kick well clear to the drop after the line and he has St Leger written all over him. Fear Armani was made odds on in his Trial Stake but if I was honest after coming third would need to step up in form to reach the later stages in this year's Derby.
Thursday night at Henlow was the Paddy Dunne Puppy Cup Final and a large contingent of the Champagne Club came to the Bedfordshire track to support our finalist Bubbly Magic and, although he never got in a blow behind Westmead Lord after being chopped of at the first bend, I would say he has a bright future and could win a nice few races for the club. At Walthamstow while the events of Blackmagic Guy are mentioned above the heats of the Duffy Group Ltd Test proved that January Tiger is still a force as he destroyed his opposition to win by over 6 lengths from kennel mate Coolanga Flyer in a calculated 39.43. Ingenious also qualified for his first ever final and makes the kennel three handed in next Thursday's final. It was also pleasing to see Shelbourne Thesa win a novice marathon at the first time of asking and although only winning by three quarters of a length clocked a respectable 53.28 and could be one to follow over this sort of trip.
Saturday's batch of Derby Trial Stakes was important as a large contingent of Westmead Hawk's fans came to see him in action but for the kennel it was a chance for our exciting greyhounds in the shape of Centaur Decree and Directors Chair to get acquainted with the Plough Lane track. We also had Discreet Cat in a warm Trial Stake that was won by the impressive Who Needs Wings and Discreet Cat although beaten finished a repectable third. Centaur Decree faced some tough opposition in the shape of Ronnies Earner and Westmead Joe. 'James' came out like a rocket(4.87) and was clear only to find Westmead Joe on his tail. In a desperate finish Joe just got up to beat our fellow in 28.96 a pleasing run and if continuing to show the same early he is surely worth a wager for this year's Derby. Directors Chair was made favourite for his race and despite running a good second was beaten 1 length by Droopys Wells in 29.02. The in form Fear Robben added to his growing reputation by winning the last Trial Stake in a brilliant 28.69 the fastest of time of the night and a performance that will see his ante-post odds slashed - all in all it was a pleasing night for the kennel. Daisyfield Seani was making the long trip to Sunderland for the semi-final of the William Hill Grand Prix and it was close your eyes time as the field converged on the first bend all within a length of each other and in the inevitable scrummaging Seani was almost on the deck and came out of the second bend about 10 lengths behind the third placed dog. She made up a mountain of ground but couldn't quite get there and was eliminated in fourth. It looks as though if nature doesn't intervene she will have a crack at the TV Trophy in a couple of weeks.

WALTHAMSTOW REVIEW

Just the one winner on a typically hard graded BAGS card in the shape of Eye Onthe Spark. Tuesday was a good night as we had four nice winners but the bad injury to Box Of Tricks spoiled the night. His sister Lews Trickster won her first race when showing a nice bit of early to score in a calc 29.89 and this tiny little bitch (23k) is going the right way. Centaur Driver has been frustrating to follow in recent races but got it right when catching the useful Double Top on the run in to win by half a length in a good 40.05. Pinehurst Silk was at last given an opportunity after a few tough races of late and she made no mistake winning by nearly 4 lengths in a warm 29.23. Treacle Rose has come back from her season very well and completed a brilliant hat trick when beating a tough A3 field in 29.09 and Duane Harvey's brindle bitch may not have peaked just yet as she is well capable of dipping under the 29.00 barrier. Night Night despite being second showed that her time is just around the corner after an encouriging run.
Saturday's graded racing was a tough card and some good runs from the likes of Lockdale Duke (2nd), Eye Onthe Spark (2nd), Blue Rizzler(2nd) and a very good run from Daisyfield Matti who despite finding a few lengths on his previous couple of races was beaten into second by Seamus Cahill's usefull Royal Officer by 2 3/4 in 28.80. Our sole winner was the enigmatic Ardmayle Machine who was recording his first win after some good previous efforts scoring in 29.21.

PERFORMANCE OF THE WEEK

OPEN RACE - FEAR ROBBEN GRADED - CENTAUR DRIVER

WHATS ON THIS WEEK

A quietish week for the kennel but we have some more Derby Trial Stakes at Wimbledon with the reappearence of double Category 1 winner Eye Onthe Veto on the card after some decent workouts at Plough Lane. Raging Jack, Fear Armani and Directors Wish also run and should be all the better for last weeks spins. The Duffy Group Ltd Test takes centre stage on Thursday and the kennel is represented by Ingenius, Coolanga Flyer and Grand Prix hero January Tiger. The night is supported by an all open card and we will look to have the likes of Daisyfield Seani and Bubbly Magic running. Sunday at Coventry sees another Dave Smith organised Greyhound Scene night of opens restricted to members of the forums dogs and with a large amount being raised for charities it should be an entertaining night.