With no runners in the East Anglian Derby and Rubys Rascal rather unluckily knocked out of the Yorkshire St Leger semi finals on Saturday our big race action has taken a bit of a knock the last two weeks. We will however move on to the next big competitions that start later this week. On Friday the Coral Romford Puppy Cup kicks gets underway and we are looking to have around 4-5 runners. Brinkleys Rosie (won the Puppy Oaks at Shelbourne last month) has her last qualifying trial tomorrow and could be an interesting runner if she takes to the track, being an October whelp she will have age on her side. We also hope to have Cheggs, Brinkleys Ranger and Saleen Story who all look early paced sorts. It's been a while since we last won the event and it would be great to unearth another Glanmire Lad type dog who was magnificent around the Essex track.

 

On Saturday the Ladbrokes Gold Collar starts at Crayford over 540m and I've decided to just put Rubys Razzle in the event. Our Golden Jacket runner up loves the tight track and should go well, an excellent 33.36 trial last week should put her spot on. We have been pretty lucky over the years at Crayford and hopefully the in form Cotton Pants can go well in the Guys & Dolls event with Parkers Dynamite while Ribble Atom will take her chance in the Cesarewitch over 874m. Overall I think our kennel is shaping up nicely for a strong end to the year.

 

This week I'm off to Portugal on our annual Calco Cup golf trip and I'm very much looking forward to catching up with all the Calco lads. Their legend Calco Flyer is just a couple of runs away from retirement and we will discuss while we are away what we do about a replacement. Syndicates can be great fun and makes it a lot more affordable as well as sociable. Talking of syndicates Paul Ephremsen's Lion-Heart Syndicate that he has put together (including myself) are having a real thrill with Black Farren who won his quarter final of the Irish Derby on Saturday and has a tremendous chance of making the final. Trap 1 in the weaker of the two semi's could mean we are all getting excited and all the syndicate could be in Dublin a week Saturday for the big night. Black Farren will come over to our kennel after the Derby all being well.

 

 

No luck with Rubys Rascal on Saturday at Doncaster in the semi final of the Yorkshire St Leger when he was knocked from pillar to post around the first two bends and despite running on strong missed out trying to defend his crown. A better night on Sunday as we had three winners from four runners at a Henlow, Shlowdown Sally racked another win up in the sprint in a very good 16.46, Forest Melanie took a Maiden 460m in 27.70, Sidarian Dino was a touch unlucky in his maiden but Garryglass Teddy bounced back to his best when winning a 550m by over 5 lengths in a very good 33.19.

 

 

On Saturday morning Swift Kaylee and Ribble Ghost were both just touched off in their respective races while at night time Plan Ahead was our only winner scoring in an A4 in a decent 28.35..

 

PERFORMANCE OF THE WEEK

OPEN RACING - GARRYGLASS TEDDY GRADED - MEELIN PRINCESS

WHAT'S ON NEXT WEEK