Dog Racing

LATEST BGRB ACTIVITY REPORT27th June 2008Each

2008-06-30T15:43:00.000+01:00

month the British Greyhound Racing Board reports on its activities in the centre pages of the Greyhound Star magazine.Click here to download a PDF version of the latest double page spread from the July issue, featuring:• Comprehensive information on the forthcoming Greyhound Breeders Forum Festival at Harlow Stadium on 14th September• Interview with BGRB Director, Barry Johnson• Report on recent BGRB-funded track safety improvement projects• Result of the election to decide the new Chair of the Greyhound Trainers Association• Latest PR and press activity updateFor more information on any aspect of the BGRB’s work, email info@bgrb.org.uk or call 020 7808 7722The latest issue of the Greyhound Star magazine is out now and can be purchased from most greyhound tracks and some newsagents, priced at £2. For distribution and subscription enquiries call 01462 679439

DERBY MEDIA GUIDE PUBLISHED

2008-04-29T19:22:00.000+01:00

28th APRIL 2008
The British Greyhound Racing Board today released its first Media Guide to the 2008 Blue Square Greyhound Derby.
To download your PDF copy of the guide, click here [File size: 6.6MB. Please right click and "Save As" to save to your local computer. Requires Adobe Acrobat version 6 or above available here].
BGRB Spokesman Peter Laurie explained:
“We have a hugely exciting Derby to look forward to in the coming weeks with the very best greyhounds from across Britain and Ireland competing for the sport’s biggest prize.
“The twelve page Media Guide that we have produced in conjunction with the event sponsors Blue Square, and with GRA Wimbledon Stadium, is designed to provide the wider media with a flavour of what the Derby means to everyone connected with greyhound racing.
“It offers a wealth of information about the event, and valuable perspectives from a range of individuals involved in the Derby, the showpiece of Britain’s third most popular spectator sport.
“I very much hope that the guide will help to generate media interest in this year’s competition and lead to the level of coverage that such an historic and prestigious sporting event deserves.”
More information:For more information on any aspect of the Derby, or to arrange interviews, receive photos or request a Press Pass, please contact Peter Laurie at the BGRB on 020 7808 7031 or at peter.laurie@bgrb.org.uk

£150,000 EXTRA FOR AUTUMN GRADED PRIZE MONEY

2007-09-02T10:14:00.000+01:00

The BGRB is today making available an additional £150,000 for graded prize money in 2007. The money will be split equally between all 29 NGRC tracks with the recommendation from the BGRB’s Racing Committee that each track puts on a number of Double Prize Money graded races over the coming months. David Lipsey, BGRB Chairman explained: “The £150,000 that we are distributing now is money saved by the cancellation of the 2007 Top Dog competition. This was scrapped earlier in the year because, having reviewed its first year, the Board considered it unlikely to achieve its aim of attracting more media coverage and increased live attendances. “Since then there has been great pressure on the BGRB’s income due to a reduction in greyhound betting turnover and the need for increased investment in welfare. However, the BGRB Board did agree in January that if it ever was possible to reallocate the Top Dog money, it should be guaranteed to be used as extra prize money for graded racing, in order to benefit the maximum number of owners and trainers. “I am very pleased that it has now been clarified that we are able to split the money equally between all the tracks in this calendar year so each receives approximately £5,000. Owners and trainers have said that prize money is vital to help them discharge their welfare responsibilities so I hope this addition, although modest, will provide a welcome boost. “The BGRB Racing Committee recommends that each track uses the money to fund Double Prize Money races, although tracks are advised to consult with their owners and trainers on this point. “I am also pleased to confirm that a further sum of just over £82,000 will be made available later in the year for each track to stage a series of Christmas bonus races in the form of promoted local sweepstakes. This money was included within the 2007 budget and more details will be made available shortly.”

BRETT WILL NEVER SURRENDER

2007-07-13T21:38:00.000+01:00

LEADING trainer Tony Brett landed the time-honoured Grafton Maiden final on Thursday night when Never Surrender led virtually throughout.Never Surrender (Go Wild Teddy-Just Precious) was one of four winners on the night for three, three at Grafton and one at Albion Park.Box one ensured Never Surrender’s position as a dominant favourite in the Maiden Final and, after beginning safely, the issue was never in doubt. He was untroubled to score by four lengths from the locally-trained Miss Go Getta and Jan's Dream in 23.27. Charlie Northfield’s Kingsbrae Di led her rivals a merry dance from box one to take out the Sprinter’s Cup (407m). A solid 5-4 chance, Kingsbrae Di accounted for 7-1 shot Glad by two and a half lengths while Quick Feet Elite finished third, a further length away in 23.43. The win was Kingsbrae Di’s 32nd from 89 starts and, despite having won at Wentworth Park in a smart 30.21 over 520m, the daughter of Solve The Puzzle has been especially effective in shortcourse events at Lismore, Casino and Grafton and has won from every box. In the Stayers Cup, the widely travelled Holly Rock safely held powerhouse finisher Miss Grub at bay to score by three and a half lengths in 35.96. The win came as a welcome return to form for Holly Rock and it was the drop back in distance from her most recent 715m assignments at Sandown to Grafton’s 610m which proved critical. Special Phantom was third in the $3150 final. The three placegetters dominated betting and, collectively, boast a massive 54 career wins.

SUPER FOUR FOR SUPERSTAYERS

2007-06-15T09:57:00.001+01:00

THE first four home in last week's Group 1 Albion Park Gold Cup have been invited to contest the four-dog Superstaters 710m on July 5.And the connections of Miss Grub, Miss Brook, Ellie's Diamond and Flashing Floods have all indicated a willingness to run.Brisbane Club general manager Luke Gatehouse said the trainers of the respective runners had until June 25 to accept the invitation.The Superstayers, sponsored by Hawkins Media, will be worth $20,000 with the winner to receive $15,000, second $3000, third $1500 and fourth $500.Miss Grub, Miss Brook and Flashing Floods are all off to Victoria to contest the McKenna Memorial at Sandown."I have already been told by the Dart, Felgate and Edwards kennels they will be certain runners depending on everything going to plan in Melbourne, and the Flashing Floods kennel is keen to run as well," said Gatehouse.The Superstayers 710m follows on from the great success of the Black Enforcer Queens of the Creek last year won by Miss Brook.The four invited bitches have won 12 Group races between them with only Ellie's Diamond not a Group 1 winner.

TRACK KNOWLEDGE STAR INGREDIENT

2007-05-25T14:07:00.001+01:00

ILLUSION Star comes into Saturday night's NQ Intercity Challenge (410m) in Cairns with a decided advantage.Denis Godfrey's high class bitch has already unofficially broken the track record.She boasts a record of six wins and two seconds from just eight starts over 410m.Five of her rivals are making their debut on the Cairns track.And she is perfectly boxed in the eight.The Hallucinate-Fourway Star bitch is the hottest of favourites for the rich final.She ran 23.63 in a hand-timed performance which wold have eclipsed the track record in winning the Cairns final of the Challenge.So the Challenge for her rivals is daunting to say the least.Illusion Star's litter brother Four Way Classic added to the family reputation when a finalist in the Eric Thomson Memorial final at the Gold Coast on Wedneasday night.It was a huge performance from him to miss the start hopelessly and still finish fourth.His sister should restore the family tradition on Saturday night.

WATCH THE INDIANS

2007-05-04T22:19:00.000+01:00

SHE may have started a rank outsider, but Chiraquois’ victory in her heat of the Flying Amy Classic (520m) at Albion Park on Thursday night was no surprise for Michael and Robyn Briant.The daughter of No Intent-Fire Ball led throughout to win by half a length over Marinos with two lengths to Sam Beau Stanley in third in 30.41.“She is not a dog to settle in the kennels and that’s what caused her failure at Albion Park last Friday,” said owner Robyn.“In an early race tonight we always thought she would be a great chance. And when she jumped in front, we were confident nothing would run her down.”The Briants were successful owners 18 years ago racing dogs like Dynamic Success, the winner of 30 races, as well as Outa This World and Only Ivory.“Old age is upon us and we decided we needed something to do so we got back into greyhound racing,” said Robyn.She and Michael searched through southern greyhound papers and came up with a few pups to buy, one of which is Chiraquois.“We bought her from a Victorian breeder when she was 10 months old and when she arrived we couldn’t believe at what fantastic condition she was in,” she said.The Briant’s only other racing dog broke a leg at the Gold Coast a few weeks ago and Chiraquois fretted badly.“We had to bring some pups in from the paddocks to the kennels and she’s been as good as gold ever since,” said Robyn.The dog is named after the American Indian tribe.“I’m concerned about the final next week because she will be in a late race,” said Robyn. “She’s only young and hasn’t learned to settle in the kennels.”Chiraquois reeled off a winning 5.76 first section to set up her victory.

BRILLIANT BROOK

2007-04-20T21:17:00.000+01:00

PAUL Felgate’s champion stayer Miss Brook signalled her return to her scintillating best at Sandown Park on Thursday night.The Ballistic Jet-Brandon Sky bitch devastated her rivals in the fastest heat of the Group 3 Lizrene Classic (715m).And she has come up with the coveted rails draw in next week’s final and is already odds-on favourite for the rich final.The reigning Queensland Greyhound of the Year began only fairly from box seven before weaving her way through the field to be third entering the straight the first time around. From there Miss Brook was never in danger, sweeping past early leader Glenavon Heather and extending her lead to seven and a half lengths at the line, with favourite Bomber Que two and a quarter lengths adrift. Her time of 42.15 was the fastest run over the Sandown Park 715m this year.The run was Miss Brook’s fourth since returning from a broken metacarpal in October. Before breaking down, she won the Group 2 Sir John Dillon Memorial at Sandown in 42.35, her run on Thursday night a clear sign she has returned to her best. In an ominous sign for her rivals, trainer Paul Felgate believes Miss Brook will be improved following the run.The Lizrene Classic was first run as a bitches only sprint in 1992. In 2002, the race became an open 715m race and was elevated to Group status. It was moved from December to April the following year, and has since served as the lead up race to Australia’s premier distance event, the $86,000 Group 1 Sandown Cup.

RISING SEAS THE HOTPOT

2007-03-23T21:39:00.001Z

VETERAN trainer John McNamara believes Rising Seas only has to jump cleanly "for once" to win next week's Mackay Young Guns final (456m).Mackay Young Guns Final (box draw):1 Regency Boy2 Rising Seas3 Bamboo Bangle4 Ella's Express5 Farmor Torque6 Quirky Kurt7 Morton Bird8 DarkwinReserves9 Lady Alexis10 Tear It UpRising Seas (Typhoon Tide-Zazzy Princess) scored by an ever-widening three and a quarter lengths in her Young Guns heat at Mackay on Thursday night.She ran 26.67 which was easily the best of the two heats, the other going to Albion Park winner Darkwin from the Mick Boody kennel in 27.18.Rising Seas, the 4-9 favourite, took her record to five wins from 13 starts with defeat of Boody's other finalist Regency Boy with almost 12 lengths to Bamboo Bangle in third.Rising Seas was a huge performance giving early leader Regency Boy at least eight lengths start into the back straight.McNamara got the bitch from Victorian trainer Robert Britton on the advice of astute Brisbane trainer Alec Stevens."I'd had a couple of pups that did no good," said NcNamara. "I happened to be talking to Alec and he suggested I give Robert a ring."Robert was great and sent me this bitch."Rising Seas took a while to settle in at NcNamara's Proserpine kennels but has improved out of sight in recent runs."She's going so well, there is no doubt she would win at Albion Park," he said. "But she can be a slow beginner."If she gets out with them in the final, they won't beat her."Darkwin (Go Wild Teddy-Queen Of Tigers) ran 27.18 to win the other Young Guns heat by two and a quarter lengths over Quirky Kurt with a half length to Farmor Torque in third.The winner started 4-9 favourite and took her record to nine wins from 27 starts.

Greyhound breeder being investigated over certificates

2007-03-10T08:10:00.000Z

Officials are investigating whether one of West Virginia's top greyhound breeders altered health certificates for at least 35 dogs.
Assistant Attorney General Ron Brown said he and Assistant Attorney General Ben Yancey will present evidence against Paul Carbonneau to a three-member administrative panel. Brown said the panel will decide whether Carbonneau violated the state's rules of greyhound racing, and if so, what penalty to assess.
The panel began hearing evidence Wednesday at Tri-State Racetrack and Gaming Center in Nitro. The hearing will resume Friday, said George T. Sidiropolis, chairman of the West Virginia Racing Commission.
Sidiropolis said all 35 of Carbonneau's greyhounds at the Nitro track have been quarantined and suspended from racing until Carbonneau presents proof that the dogs' vaccinations are up to date.
Sidiropolis also is pursuing tests on those dogs, along with an unknown number of greyhounds at Carbonneau's farm in Hurricane, for diseases such as rabies and distemper as well as for steroid use.
A veterinarian examined five Carbonneau-bred dogs at Wheeling Island Racetrack and Gaming Center's kennel on Wednesday and found no evidence of disease, Sidiropolis said, but blood tests were still being conducted on those animals to test for steroids.
The health certificates for the Wheeling dogs all appeared to be in order, Sidiropolis said, and no quarantine was ordered for that track.
Carbonneau, who earned more than $330,000 last year from breeding greyhound racing dogs in West Virginia, not including purses and other winnings, did not immediately respond Wednesday to phone messages from The Associated Press seeking comment. He told The Charleston Gazette that false statements about him had been made to the media. However, he would not answer questions about the allegations, the newspaper reported in today's editions.
The newspaper also said Joe Oliver, the three-judge panel's chairman, barred its reporter from attending Wednesday's hearing. Sidiropolis, who was not at the hearing, said such proceedings should be open to the public. He said he planned to attend Friday's proceeding to ensure that it is open.

WHO'S THE HOTPOT

2007-03-01T08:45:00.001Z

MARK Luxton's brilliant youngster Who's Ya Bearing has a stranglehold on next week's Group 2 Vince Curry Maiden Final (520m) at Ipswich.Box draw for next Tuesday night's rich final is:1 Flying Felicity2 Prince Jay3 Who's Ya Bearing4 Kiralee Shae5 Kind Of Sweet6 Go Makatam7 Bogie Blaze8 Citi HeritageReserves9 Elite Attitude10 Bec StanleyWho's Ya Bearing (Elite State-Who's A Bearing) swept to favouritism for the final when a brilliant 30.53 semi-final winner on Tuesday night.He won by eight and a half lengths over Kiralee Shae with four and a quarter lengths to Bec Stanley in third.He improved on his brilliant 30.62 win in his quarter-final the week before.He came out of the three box when winning his semi-final and has come up with the same draw for the final.The next fastest semi-final winner was Go Makatam (Go Wild Teddy-Althorpe Miss) who ran 31.01 in his win for owner-trainer Mal Dawson.Go Makatam scored by a half length over Flying Felicity with a length to Elite Attitude in third.Citi Heritage (Go Wild Teddy-Raven Poldar) remained unbeaten through the series with her semi-final win in 31.03.She scored by five and three-quarter lengths over Prince Jay with two and a quarter lengths to City Train in third.Ian Mackenzie-Ross owns and trains Citi Heritage.The other semi-final was won easily by Bogie Blaze (Surf Lorian-Bogie Benz) who won by five and a quarter lengths over Kind Of Sweet with a length and a half to Baldur in third.Tony Brett trains Bogie Blaze for Les Bein.That combination produced Bogie Will, a half brother to Bogie Blaze, who was runner-up in the Vince Curry final in 2006.

TOPICAL TIP OF THE YEAR

2007-02-12T22:53:00.000Z

IT'S almost as if the race was put on for her, or as if she was named with this race in mind.That's the story behind in-form sprinting bitch Leica Drink and her quest to win the Publicans' Cup.Leica Drink (Brett Lee-Rose Of Shiraz) has drawn box eight in her heat of the Publicans' Cup (520m) at Albion Park on Thursday night.Bob Lambert, Brisbane Club committeeman and husband of the bitch's owner Robyn Lambert, saw the irony of Leica Drink being engaged in the Publicans' Cup series.Leica Drink has had a great run of inside box draws in recent times and has won five of her past six starts."But she has already won from box eight at Albion Park, running 30.52 in November last year," he said."I think she is at the peak of her form and the fact she ran a 5.70 first section when she won at Albion Park last Thursday night shows she can cross from the eight this week."Leica Drink took her record to 12 wins from 26 starts with her victory in the Surf Lifesaving Trophy at headquarters last week.She ran 30.20, her best winning time at Albion Park, when leading throughout to beat Adrian by two and a quarter lengths."I spoke to Tony (Brett, trainer) on Saturday night and the bitch had pulled up fantastic," said Lambert."We've realised she is not a bitch who backs up well."Lambert said the bitch would "go straight" out of the boxes and this would give her a great opportunity to utilise her early pace and lead the heat.Leica Drink's immediate program includes the up-coming Winged Runner Trophy.Unfortunately she will be too old for the Group 2 Bogie Leigh Futurity series at Albion Park just after that."We've spoken to Tony about her future and he is considering taking her south for some feature races during the year," said Lambert."Obviously that all depends on how her form is."In the meantime, there are a few celebratory drinks to be had, specially if she wins "her race" the Publicans' Cup.

THAT’S A SURPRISE

2007-01-25T20:39:00.000Z

TOP trainer Dave Robartson came to Albion Park on Thursday night thinking he would win two races.He gave littermates Beyond The Call and Miss Hot Gossip great chances in their races and considered the bitch close to a “good thing”.But both were beaten, Beyond The Call into second and Miss Hot Gossip when checked badly early and then flashing home.But Robartson also came to Albion Park on Thursday night with the much underrated Lindale Guest, even though he believed the son of Lindale Blue-Roshana Reason had a task in front of him to beat hot favourite Leica Paper Boy.But Lindale Guest did just that sweeping to the front at the turn out of the back straight and then holding off a late charge by Leica Paper Boy to win by two and a quarter lengths.Tad Smarter fought on well for third a half length away.“Every week he runs 30.30 around here, but tonight he got the luck and won,” said Robartson. “He’s an underrated dog.”That was win 13 for Lindale Guest and his eighth at headquarters.“Box eight suited him because everything jammed up inside him and Leica Paper Boy was slow away and got held up in traffic,” said Robartson.“It was what we needed to happen, and it did.”Leica Paper Boy flashed home late but too late.Robartson part-owns Lindale Guest with long-time friend Lindsay Archer in WA.“The dog could eventually go to WA in the twilight of his career, but that won’t happen for a while because he is racing so well.“He’s such a great chaser.”

Dog Racing - NOW FOR 600M

2007-01-11T18:37:00.001Z

POMONA trainer Allan Lang has been desperate to give Back In Ten a try over 600 metres.
Lang has been nominating for weeks for 600m races without being able to get a start.
The former top grade sprinter and Group 1 finalist has been in moderate form and not required for those fifth grade 600m races.
So Lang switched him back to sprints and Back In Ten bounced right back to his best when storming away to win a 520m 3rd-4th Grade at Albion Park on Thursday night.
He scored by three lengths in 30.33 beating Reliable Guest with two and a half lengths to Allira storming home for third.
“He’s been getting a hiding at the first turn in top grade races and that’s why his form has slipped,” said Lang after the victory by the son of Shirdon’s Alarm-Everybody Cries.
“He will run 600m for sure, specially as he is eligible for fifth grade.”
Lang pointed to Back In Ten’s strong final section of 12.60 when beating a smart field of gallopers.
“There is only one real way to find out if he can get 600m and that’s to try him,” he said.
“Now that he’s won, he’s got the form to get some runs over 600m.”
Back In Ten was winning his 13th race in 46 starts and 10 of those have been at Albion Park.
He has earned $28,000 for Lang.

Dog Racing - NOW FOR 600M

2007-01-11T18:37:00.000Z

BIG PLANS FOR BUNGENDORE

2006-12-21T19:08:00.000Z

TOP trainer Mick Zammit is at the crossroads with his flying sprinter Bungendore.
The son of Go Wild Teddy-Floodline blitzed a smart field in the Christmas Stocking final (520m) at Albion Park on Thursday night.
He scored by an ever-increasing five and three-quarter lengths in 30.23 beating Farmor Assassin with a neck to Gotta Love Him in third.
Zammit admits he has put Bungendore to the test in recent months. He was narrowly beaten into second by then kennelmate Gunnadoo Saint in the Young Guns in November.
He then chased home eventually winner Pure Burst in a hat of the Group 1 Brisbane Cup.
“Believe me, this is a really hot young dog,” said Zammit.
“And I think a couple of weeks break would do him the world of good and help him develop into the dog I believe he will be.”
But there are a host of big races coming up in the next couple of months that will perfectly suit Bungendore.
Firstly there is the Young Guns series at the Gold Coast, followed by another Young Guns at Albion Park (both worth $10,000 to the winner), and also the Group 1 National Derby at Wentworth Park.
“At this stage I will probably go to the Gold Coast because the track suits him,” said Mick.
“But I’ll have a think about what to do over the next few days.”
Zammit trains the dog for NSW owner Mark Lewis and Bungendore is one of only four he has at his new property.
He also trains Bungendore’s litter sister Mark’s Wild Girl (third in the Christmas Cup at the Gold Cost on Wednesday), Vizard (a Gold Coast winner on Wednesday) and an unnamed pup.
They are the only four he trains. Zammit is being ever reluctant and will give nothing away about the quality of the unnamed pup.
The victory in the added money Christmas Stocking final took Bungendore’s career record to seven wins and three placings in 12 starts.
“There is much more to this dog,” said Mick.
“The first time I trialled him over 520m at Albion Park he ran a 5.70 first section. He has not run up to that since, but I know it’s in him.
“A short break from racing might just be enough to turn him into a star.”
Bungendore won the race with a sensational 11.57secs middle section. It broke his rivals hearts.

PURE BURST SWEEPS CUP

2006-12-14T22:43:00.000Z

WAYNE Vassallo once wanted to be a racecaller, but he’s happy he decided to switch to greyhound training.
It landed him another Group 1 victory at Albion Park on Thursday night when Pure Burst led throughout to take out the Group 1 Brisbane Cup final (520m).
She scored by three lengths in a flying 30.10 to beat home town hope Leica Ruby with a half head to the luckless Suave Fella in third.
Vassallo admitted after the victory he was supremely confident his bitch could win the final after the box draw last week despite being reserved at the time.
“I gave her a great chance because I thought she could lead and those on her outside were not quick early,” he said.
That’s just how the race turned out.
Pure Burst had already won the Group 1 Laurels at Sandown and been a finalist in the Sapphire Crown and Melbourne Cup.
“This is my biggest thrill in greyhound racing,” said Vassallo. “When she won the Laurels it was a race restricted to bitches and on her home track.
“It’s something different to come away and beat all comers. It’s a big thrill.”
Vassallo had worked for three years with famed Victorian trainer Jason Thompson learning his trade but has been on his own for the past eight years.
He has nine dogs in work of which Pure Burst is easily the best.
The bitch is raced by Adam Cushkeri and Joe Yusi.
“The boys bought two pups from the Token Prince-Hotburst litter and when they were broken in Jason got the dog to train and he did not have the room for this bitch so asked me to train her,” said Vassallo.
Unfortunately the dog broke down for Thompson and did not get to race.
Thompson prepared Suave Fella to finish third in the final and was amazed at the dog’s performance after finding early trouble and then giving the leader 10 lengths start in the back straight before rushing home to be beaten three lengths.
Thompson is uncertain what to do with Suave Fella in the future.
“I’m not sure about stepping him up in distance,” he said. “He might just be one of those dogs who is a strong 500m finisher.”
Runner-up Leica Ruby throilled connections, owner Ruth Turner and trainer Tony Brett with her great second.
Ironically her dam Rose Of Shiraz had finished second in a Group 1 Brisbane Cup herself.
Pure Burst will go home to contest the Cranbourne Cup and then head to Wentworth Park in Sydney for the Group 1 National Futurity.
Victory took Pure Burst’s record to 13 wins and nine placings in 26 starts. She has now won $155,000 in stakes.
Vassallo said dam Hotburst had been a brilliant sprinter but unable to runj further than 400 metres.
“But she’s already produced some handy dogs from earlier litters.”
Owners Cushkeri and Yusi had refused talk of buying the bitch very early in her career. Neither decided to come to Albion Park for the Cup final.
“I don’t know why they didn’t come up for the race,” said Vassallo.
He’s certain they will regret that now. Amazingly 10-1 was bet on course about Pure Burst.

PUNISHER FOR CUP

2006-11-30T20:41:00.000Z

TRAINER Jan Finneran was surprised that Blue Punisher downed a FFA field at Albion Park on Thursday night, but now will up the ante on the much improved galloper.Blue Punisher (Saintly Crew-Bonnie Shiraz) ran 30.33 to win the FFA by a half length over Token Jet with a length and a quarter to Wongawillisue in third.Blue Punisher will now run in next week’s Group 1 Brisbane Cup heats.“Tonight’s win was a surprise,” said Finneran. “I thought Token Jet would win but we were lucky to get the drop on him.”Blue Punisher and kennelmate Heap’s Fast have earned their place in the heats of the Cup. They are among the seven dogs in the Finneran kennel.Blue Punisher took his record to 15 wins and 12 placings from 37 starts. Finneran said she could not believe the improvement in Blue Punisher in recent weeks. “He’s been a different dog since we have kept him close to us in the car on the way to races,” she said.“He’s also a real dynamo. He’s 28.5 kilos ringing wet.”While Blue Punisher came off the two dog to win Thursday night’s top grade, Finneran believes the dog is best suited from a wide draw.“Just look at his run tonight,” said Jan. “He headed out early, then switched back to the fence in the middle of the race and again came wide in the home straight.”

Greyhound Racing Tips

2006-11-20T14:53:00.000Z

MONDAY NOVEMBER 20
BEST BET: Saintys Flyer (T2 6.18 Walthamstow)
TODAY'S BANKER: Ballynok Ace (T1 8.30 Crayford)
TODAY'S TREBLE: Cheeky Again (T5 10.00 Crayford)
Monday's programme kicks off with twelve races apiece from Swindon (11.03 to 1.51) and Sheffield (11.11 to 2.03). These no sooner end than Monmore (2.08 to 6.11) and Walthamstow (2.18 to 6.18) take over with a fourteen race card apiece.
For this Monday's best bet we wait for the closing contest on the Walthamstow programme. This is an A5 contest for which Saintys Flyer (T2 6.18), who possesses useful early pace and rarely fails to lead, is fancied to make every inch of the running.
There's only one open race to talk about this evening and that's a 540-metre event being staged at Crayford. The selection here is the well drawn Ballynok Ace (T1 8.30) who has shown excellent early pace in previous efforts over this course and distance and is taken to make all.
There's a top graded hurdles contest on the card, the H1 event is due off at 10.00 and promises to be a cracker. Most of these have been contesting open race contests of late and Cheeky Again (T5), who has good form over both distances here, can come out on top in a competetive heat.

ONE CLASSIC RUN

2006-11-13T08:38:00.000Z

QUEENSLANDER Category One put up a mammoth performance to win his heat of the Young Star Classic at Cannington on Saturday night.And owner-trainer John Jeffrey believes his dog has a huge chance of taking out the Group 3 final this Saturday night.This is despite the dog running a slow 31.50 in his heat and coming up with box four in the $20,000 to the winner final."You had to see the run to believe it," said Jeffrey who flew to Perth to handle his dog in the heat."He was checked at the start, and then run off at the first turn."He was giving the leader eight lengths in the back straight and I thought he was 100-1 to win at that stage."But Category One (Token Prince-Cyclone Chrissy) stormed home and despite being pushed very wide on the home turn, got up in the last stride to win."The one to beat is Cape Ozy who had already won the All Stars at Cannington and has drawn well in the final," said Jeffrey."But there is not a dog in the final my bloke cannot beat. And he has had three starts from box four, won two and finished second in the other."He likes to be boxed in the even numbers."While Category One ran only 31.50 to win his heat, and Taylah Monelli ran the quickest at 30.65, Jeffrey points out his dog trialled in 30.46 before the heats."He can win," he said. "He's a four or five to one chance at the best."Quidame bounced back to her best with a stylish Summer Cup heat victory at Wentworth Park on Saturday night.Trainer Tony Brett was disappointed with the Flying Penske-Sheza Swifty bitch's performance when unplaced in the Hume Cup final the previous Monday night in Melbourne."I don't normally back her up like I did this week, but the race was there and she goes so well at Wenty," he said.But Brett will ease up on Quidame, win, lose or draw after the final this Saturday night."I want to give her a short break then set her for the Sale Cup over 650m and then the New Years Gift over 600m at The Meadows," he said.Quidame has drawn box five in the final but that does not concern Brett."We've won a lot of good races from box five, including the Topgun with Black Enforcer," he said."And her first section was easily a couple of lengths better than the other heat."She got tired at the finish but she has been doing a bit of travelling which had to catch up with her."A week at home this week will top her right off for the final."

BRISBANE CUP PLANS

2006-11-04T08:48:00.000Z

VETERAN trainer Ted Le Man is riding the crest of a winning wave and reckons he deserves a Group 1 try.Ted’s smart galloper Lincoln Stanley led throughout to win a 520m 4th Grade at Albion Park on Thursday night scoring by three and three-quarter lengths over Yatala Zappa with eight and a quarter lengths to Penny Prushka in third.The winner ran 30.37 and now Ted is looking to give his dog a thorough test.“They might think I’m mad, but I’m going to head him towards the Group 1 Brisbane Cup in December,” said Ted.Lincoln Stanley took his record to 14 wins from 48 starts with victory on Thursday night.Le Man bought the dog for $1500 just a year ago and in 30 races for Ted, Lincoln Stanley has earned $30,000.“He’s been such a wonderful dog for me,” said Ted.“But he’s the sort of dog that puts so much into his races that I need to space his runs more than most.“I probably won’t come back here for two weeks, but the Brisbane Cup is an option.”Le Man rates his dog the best he has trained.Lincoln Stanley was also his first Albion Park Thursday night winner in almost 10 years.“The last Thursday night winner I trained was Hanson Domino and I think it was about 10 years ago,” he said.Lincoln Stanley gave nothing else a chance and lived right up to his wrap as the “bet of the night” when scoring effortlessly.

FORMER Victorian Alec Stevens is riding the crest of a winning wave

2006-10-27T16:46:00.000+01:00

FORMER Victorian Alec Stevens is riding the crest of a winning wave, all with dogs from his former home state.That continued on Thursday night when Coulta Amy (Awesome Assassin-Coulta Bandit) led throughout to win by six and a quarter lengths at Albion Park.She won in 30.41 beating Lindale Guest with a head to Briara Boy getting home well for third.It is the third win in five starts for Coulta Amy since she has come north to the Stevens kennel.“They are calling me ‘Honest Al the Punter’s Pal’,” said Stevens.“I thought she was a good thing out of the rails draw and I told everyone.”But Stevens also believes the bitch will be even better suited from the eight box.“It’s a funny thing,” he said.“I’ve found that most of the Coulta breed like the eight box best.”Coulta Amy began better on Thursday night than she has in her five runs in Queensland to date.She took her overall record to nine wins from 33 starts.The bitch is raced by Robert Irvine a long-time friend of Alec and his wife Judy.“Robert tells me my old favourite Coulta Mara is in pup to Hallucinate,” said Alec.“I’ll look forward to training a few of those in years to come.”

Perry Barr plans 'questionable'

2006-10-05T17:07:00.000+01:00

Tony Mole rates the chances of racing at Birmingham's Perry Barr Greyhound Stadium next season as 'questionable'.
Birmingham City Council's planning committee have proposed a three-year consent for the sport in the city - subject to certain conditions.
The matter has now been deferred and Mole is concerned that time factors may foil his efforts to restart the club.
"At this moment I remain doubtful as to whether everything can be sorted for next season," said Mole.

Vinnie Jones is the new face of greyhounds here at Ladbrokes!

2006-09-29T18:09:00.000+01:00

The football-turned-film star, who owned former Derby finalist Smoking Bullet, is a keen fan of the 'dogs' and he is looking to make it more appealable to a wider audience.

*** The BGRB 2006 Awards

2006-09-23T08:26:00.000+01:00

*** The BGRB 2006 Awards will again be held at The Royal Lancaster Hotel on Sunday 21st January 2007. For further details on tickets and hotel rooms, contact Lauren Duffield at the BGRB office on 020 7292 9900.