THE GREYHOUND WEEK BLOG: Julie Collier

THE GREYHOUND WEEK BLOG: Julie Collier with all the latest news from the world of greyhound racing…..

---

First thing’s first, I’d like to wish you all a very happy new year! May your betting accounts and pockets be filled in 2020…

➡️ Liz and Rab McNair have enjoyed their most successful year ever and topped it off by winning the Olympic final at Hove on Saturday night with King Sheeran. It was King Dylan that broke the better of them, but Sheeran showed his trademark early to lead at the first turn and go on to score by three lengths, giving the McNairs a one-two. It was Sheeran’s third category one win this year and puts him in the running to be Greyhound Of The Year, although Ice On Fire would still be the strong favourite. King Sheeran is is 100/1 with us for the Star Sports Derby. Ice On Fire still the 10/1 favourite.

➡️ In the Ballyregan Bob Memorial Trophy, Patrick Janssens not only managed to get three through to the final, he incredibly got the one-two-three! It was the least fancied of his three in the betting, Affleck Lady, who obliged at 6/1 after a fast start, beating stalwart Goldies Hotspur and favourite, Skilful Sadie.

➡️ Micks Little Gem eventually went off 4/9f for the Boxing Day marathon final at Crayford, winning as a dog of that price should. The result was never in doubt as Michelle Brown’s Dorando winner popped out of trap 5 and led by the first turn to win by 14 lengths in 56.44sec. That win made it six out of six for the bitch at the Kent track. She will now be aimed at the Golden Jacket there.

➡️ Aayamza Breeze finished second in the final in what was her last ever race. She’s been an amazing bitch for connections, most memorably winning the Dorando at Towcester in 2018 with a last to first performance in an 8 dog field. Happy retirement Breeze!

➡️ Ricky Holloway had already won the Springbok and the Champion Hurdle for 2019 and on Boxing Day he added the Kent County Hurdle trophy to his cabinet, courtesy of Lenson Wilson. The Holloway kennel has been plagued by sickness of late and Ricky had had to withdraw his star hurdler, in-form Turnhouse Jet. But Wilson proved to be a very nice back-up, pacing up behind the fast-starting Mane Mane. Those two and the new odds-on favourite, Droopys Trawler came together at the third turn, but it was Wilson who came out of the tussle best and he went on to score by half a length in 29.74sec.

➡️ Keep all ears open for murmurings about dogs that are likely to be aimed at the Star Sports Derby with the start of the competition being just 14 weeks away! Trainer Carl Perry gave us a clue as to a likely runner from his camp this week when he posted on social media ‘remember the name. I am certain he will be a proper dog.’ The name he was referring to is Geelo King, who won a D1 on debut at Sheffield this week in 16.32sec. The dog is bred out of Geelo Saphire and Candlelight King and is offered at 150/1 for the Star Sports Derby.

---

[td_block_ad_box spot_id=”custom_ad_1″]