Julie Collier Blog 4: Greyhound Derby

🐶 The Irish are currently 0 from 3 when it comes to Derbys at Towcester but, even without superstar Susie Sapphire, the raiding team does seem to be getting stronger and stronger. A month or so ago, many of the dogs weren’t even on our radar but now, could there be a record-breaking number travelling? Adding up the numbers with Ian Fortune on Wednesday night, we concluded there could be 50 plus! Don’t get me wrong, I still 100% think we have dogs that could retain the crown for the UK and am happy with my 6/4 with Star Sports for a UK winner (honest), but the strength and depth from Ireland is amazing.

🐶 Wide Open (pictured above and below) has taken the Maiden Derby at Towcester by storm and I am kicking myself for not having an ante post wager as Damien Matthews was vey open in flagging her up to Lofty and I in a pre-competition Star Sports zoom room. I hope some of you availed. She looks an incredible bitch. Not only has she clocked flying times as quick as 29.19sec, she’s also proved she can come from off the pace and has no fear of dogs around her or nipping through tight gaps if she needs to. And, incredibly, she is just an August 2020 baby! I put it to Damien that she could top the betting for ‘bitch to go furthest in the Derby’ but he thinks not with the likes of Singalong Sally and Ballymac Ariel set to feature. However, Wide Open has proved she loves Towcester and surely that has to count for a lot.

🐶 News this week that Kirby Memorial finalist and winner of last year’s National Puppy Stake at Shelbourne, Scooby Prince, has moved to Patrick Janssen’s kennel. The black and white boy is a March 2020 whelp out of, that dog again, Droopys Sydney. He could be a big player if taking to the track and, according to Patrick, if he takes to the trainer! Patrick told me that his breeder and former trainer Jennifer O’Donnell treats her dogs so much like pets that when moved, it can often take them a while to settle. From one pet kennel to another in the Janssen’s camp and a timely reminder that these beautiful and often sensitive dogs, are not machines. I am sure Patrick will win him over.

🐶 Skywalker Barry came for a trial at Towcester on Sunday alongside kennel mates Coolavanny Calvn and Coolavanny Duke. In Skywalker Barry, trainer Michael O’Donovan’s has a competition dog through and through and his CV is extensive. First look he clocked 29.57sec. You’d think he’d find plenty on that. Coolavannys Calvn and Duke clocked 29.62sec and 30.10sec respectively in solo trials. Nice little team there.

🐶 I was pleased to see that Jason Gray trialled Mickys Barrett at Towcester with the Derby surely on his mind. Micky did well winning his two dog trial in 29.69sec. I went to do a feature with Jason Gray for RPGTV a few years ago now and he is a lovely man. I love to see trainers like him who don’t have an abundance of open races, do well in the Derby. Good luck Jason.

🐶 Kilkenny Santi who finished 3rd in the Shelbourne 600 is another runner who will now represent the UK at Towcester after he joined the kennel of Seamus Cahill. He’s a strong running sort who ran better than his 50/1 price in that high class final at Shelbourne Park. The winner of the competition has been strutting his stuff for his admirers in Galway. Declan McDonagh’s Fast Fit Paddy was given a hero’s welcome when he paraded for racegoers in what was a lovely touch to celebrate the kennels achievement. Declan has confirmed the dog will be entered for Towcester and hopefully we will see him trialling soon.

🐶 Finally, I loved the photo tweeted by Kevin Hutton this week (below) of his 2021 Brighton Belle winner, Lights Out. She got injured in January but has had several trials ahead of her first race back, representing Kevin at the Judgement Night at Monmore on Saturday. After that her next aim will be a campaign at Towcester. Kevin tweeted to say that she is ‘primed and ready to go’. Looks like a Derby contender to me!

⏰ Reminder: entries for the Star Sports Derby close Tuesday 10th May at 7pm.

JULIE COLLIER

#GreyhoundDerby2022

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