Headline news

It was nice for the connections of Little Jig to feature in this mornings Racing Post. She is very game bitch and deserves every success she gets. It's amazing how sometimes as change in a kennel can refresh a dog or bitch. There might not be anything significant to the training routine of a new trainer, although we would all like to think so, it can be simply a change of scenery brings out the best in them.

A ray of sunshine

We finally managed to have a couple of winners yesterday at Monmore. Our dogs appear to be out graded at moment and it's difficult to keep all our owners happy. Thankfully Donare Jamie (A5) 29.01, Galtee Seb (s3) 38.90 and Sunrise (S4) 39.80 has lifted the gloom a little on the graded scene.

Fatboyz Debut

We are all very much looking forward to seeing the debut of Fatboyz Gracie (ex Quit Saving) in the Yorkshire St Ledger Trial Stake this evening. Fingers crossed she can have a trouble free introduction and be spot on for the competition when it commences. Also on the van is Ballymac Ace who will trial before racing. The Racing Post report we are up to 5th in the Trainers Championship however Dean Childs could well get back ahead of us with a runner in the St Ledger Final on Sky tonight.

Queen of Coventry

Little Jig was crowned Queen of Coventry last night when taking the £2,000 Foxsports Ltd Warwickshire Oaks Final. Despite not breaking from traps as well as she can, she picked up the field on the final straight to record a 3/4 length win in 29.35 (fastest time of night). The victory is very much deserved as she is one of the most consistent bitches currently racing. On the undercard we had a number of dogs that just missed out including Droopys Dynamo (3rd), Swift Tinto (2nd), Bosscroker (3rd) and Indigo King (2nd).

Sale on

I have been instructed to drop the price of three of the remaining dogs on the sale pages of the website. Please take a look and give me a ring if interested.

Grading Drought

We have had just one graded winner in 3 weeks after last nights meeting. Very frustrating for all concerned. It was great to see Centaur Allstar get his head in front again after a few tough races. He took the Birch 264 Open race in 15.19 by two lengths last night.

The King is back

Indigo King (pictured) bounced back to track action last night with a 1 3/4 length win in 29.02 at Swindon last night when taking the Brian Kininmonth Memorial Stakes. Bosscroker was denied his second win when going down by the shortest of short heads in 30.28 over 509 metres.

Service resumed

Officer Donagh (pictured) got back to winning ways on Tuesday with a convincing win in 15.56 when taking the October Sprint at Hall Green on Tuesday. This was his 17th win of 2009 and 20th career win. Rackethall Hero make a stunning debut over 6 bends when taking the maiden stayers event in 40.09.

Fingers crossed

Five runners at Hall Green this evening whilst Centaur Academy will need to do everything right in the Category 1 St Ledger Semi Final at Wimbledon. At Monmore this morning Kurious Incident clocked 28.44 whilst Cabra Fly impressed again stopping the clock at 28.49. Tomorrow will see the return of Indigo King at Swindon and he will be joined by Bosscroker and Fabulous Voyage. I am also pleased to report Little Jig has drawn trap 1 in Sunday's Oaks Final at Coventry.

Jigging Marvelous

Little Jig (pictured) proved to be star turn again at Coventry last night when taking the 2nd Semi Final of the Foxsports Ltd Warwickshire Oaks. After taking the lead on the run to the first corner it was a smooth four length win for the bitch in 29.08 and she should have a favourites chance in next weeks Final given a good draw.

Ginger Biscuit

Micks Ginger made it two wins from three starts when taking Map Metals Ltd Trophy at Monmore last night in 24.64. The well backed favourite didn't let the punters down as he blasted from traps and never giving them a worry.

News from the Don

Centaur Academy managed to grab the final qualifying place in Heat 3 of the Category 1 St Ledger at Wimbledon this evening behind Masterful who won the heat in 40.72.
Lets hope for a good draw in next weeks Semi Final.

Tightening of the belt

The Monmore grader looks to one step ahead of us at moment with us only having one winner in two meetings at our home track. This came care of Sunrise who landed last nights S5 in 39.57. She has now won 15 of her 90 races, a real kennel servant.

Open Race Video

I'm pleased to blog our latest photo video of those dogs who have been instrumental in our success to date. Apologies if we missed your favourite off but these are photographs from our selected photographers. Please leave your feedback on the blog.

Send the nurse round

As a few of you have noticed Assistant Trainer Paul Anderson is off work at moment. Sadly he has been carrying a nasty injury for a good while and has had an operation to make matters right. From all the team and owners hope he gets back on his feet soon as his influence is instrumental to all our success. Get well soon mate.

The Fly is back

Three very impressive performances at trials this morning at Monmore. Cabra Fly returned after a spell on the sidelines with a rapid 28.29 solo whilst new recruits Quit Saving (28.32) and Ballymac Rumble (28.57) also set the tongues wagging. When Little Jig won at Swindon last week one of the winning connections took a number of photographs of the great night. If possible could that person please email the photographs to our webmaster ndugganisrm@hotmail.com. Thanks.

Sale Update

I have just added two new dogs on the sale page. Townhill Widtink is an established open racer whilst Gortown Rex is a high class irish puppy. Have a read of the pages and I'm sure you will agree both are very nice prospects.

New Video Release

Turn the voulme up on those PC's and enjoy the latest photovideo compilation profiling the kennels, the dogs, staff and you the owners. Many thanks to Steve Nash, Neil Duggan and Dave Yanez who put their work together to form this masterpiece (editing D Yanez). The even better news there is one on the Open Race team being released any day. To view the video click here.

Tinto on a roll

Swift Tinto (pictured) recorded an amazing 28.40 this afternoon when winning by over seven lengths in today's A4. After a slow start to his career he is very much one that could well develop into a future star. Our second winning came care of Broad World who won the A3 in 28.68. We have a two special treats over the coming days for our regular subcribers in the way of two videos profiling firstly our facilites, kennels, owners and staff whilst the second one will feature some of dogs who have landed open race wins for the kennels. Sadly we don't have photographs of all the dogs that have graced our kennels but hopefully you will enjoy the videos.

Jigging at Coventry

Little Jig ran away with Heat 1 of the Foxsports Ltd Warwickshire Oaks when winning in 29.47. Also on the card Fabulous Voyage suffered a nasty fall but will hopefully be ok when recovered, Fabulous Indiana was second whilst Bosscroker & Scotties Warrior were was unplaced.

Hero leads high 5

Rackethall Hero (pictured) led us to a 5 timer at Monmore last night including four winners on the trot. First to land the odds was Hiho Harry who landed the A3 by 3 lengths in 28.89. Next to win was Rackethall Hero who beat the highly rated Jesters Nap by 7 lengths in an Open Race in 28.43. The following Open was won by the ever improving Hollywood Idol in 28.47. Just when we thought it couldn't get any better Highview Gold, owned by one of our loyal syndicates, landed the Bitches Open in 28.81. Micks Ginger then made it 2 wins from 3 starts when taking the Sprint in 15.27.

Roller Coaster Evening

Plenty of highs and lows during Saturdays evening racing across the country. Sadly Kurious Incident and Sin City Slicker could not qualify from their respective Semi Finals last night at Sunderland. Both are very nice pups who will have plenty of chances in the future. We had better news at Wimbledon where Centaur Academy qualified for the 2nd round of the St Ledger when finished second behind Dessies Blueboy.

Friday Double

Borna Edge got up in the last stride yesterday to take the opening A2 in 28.89. Our second winner came care of Blue Fox Nicky who stayed on strong to win the S2 in 38.68. Nicky has now won 23 races from 110 starts.

History Update

Our 2009 history page has been updated this week. It makes you realise how far we have all come. We are very proud of our current 6th place in the trainers championship and would dearly like to hold on to it. Hopefully new recruit Centaur Academy (pictured, ex Bumblewood Beano) who debuts tomorrow will become one of our kennel stars.

New Photos

As you can see from the site I'm always trying to keep the site fresh with new photos and articles of interest. Within the last week I've had a delivery of new photos from Steve Nash and also our webmaster. Hope you enjoy them and many thanks to Steve and Neil. Great photo of Officer Donagh (left) and Mashed Potatoes on front page of main site.

Open Entries

Here are our Open Race runners over the next few days. Monmore (Saturday) Rackethall Hero, Hollywood Idol, Highview Gold, Micks Ginger (pictured), Bawna Elsa and Turar Abit. Sunderland (Saturday) Sin City Slicker and Kurious Incident in Semi Finals of Northern Puppy Semi Final. Wimbledon - Centaur Academy (Saturday) in the St Ledger. Coventry (Sunday) - Little Jig, Fabulous Indiana, Fabulous Voyage, Bosscroker and Scotties Warrior. Hall Green (Tuesday) - Brett Time, Snugfit Flyer, Centaur Bliss, Turar Abit and Centaur Marine.

Rev Counter Honoured

It's nice to see Rev Counter honoured at Perry Barr tonight with two races names after him. Rev is one of our true legends who won 24 of his 88 races including the Category 1 Betfred Eclipse at Nottingham. Many thanks to all at Perry Barr.

Breezy Evening

Last night Bourne Breezy made the most of the drop to down to S3 when recording a 1/2 length in 38.62. Breezy has been a super bitch to train and I'm sure her loving owners walks every Sunday helps her retain her passion for racing, as she has now has 89 races. Our other winner was Highview Honda who made it two wins from 3 starts when winning the A3 in 28.85.

Centaur Strikes

Centaur Marine took the honours at Nottingham on Monday evening with a five length win in the final Open Race of the evening in 29.11. Micks Ginger just missed out when going don by neck in 18.26.

Going to the Dogs

I must urge anyone living close to London or travelling to the area to make a visit to a photography exhibition by Katherine Green named "Going to the Dogs" being held at Walthamstows Vestry House Museum from 26th September to 27th November. Going to the Dogs documents the last three months of Walthamstow Greyhound Stadium through photography and oral history, focusing on the people who worked at the track and contributed to its history. Katherine, who trained at Central St Martin’s, was awarded three grants towards the costs of the exhibition from Arts Council England, Apex Arts and an O2 It’s Your Community.

Walthamstow Greyhound Stadium opened in 1933 and closed last year. It was the best known and loved of all the UK’s greyhound stadiums and was well known internationally amongst both racing fans and tourists keen for a taste of British traditions. Greyhound racing is still one of the most popular spectator sports in the country and dog tracks provide a cheap and family friendly night. The Stadium was an integral part of Waltham Forest’s history and one of the area’s biggest employers. Brad Pitt and Damon Albarn are amongst the famous names who have visited over the years and the Stadium famously featured on the cover of Blur’s Parklife album.

The Stadium employed over 500 people, many of whom had spent their lives working there and the resulting series of photographs evoke a real sense of community, continuity and tradition. A newly commissioned series of audio works will be played on listening posts alongside the photographs capturing the very personal and intimate testimonies of individuals who had a particular relationship with the Stadium and providing an important record of a community.

The Vestry House Museum, Walthamstow houses all the boroughs archives and is an important centre for the study and research of local history with a dedicated exhibition space.

For those not around London the exhibition will travel to Light House, Wolverhampton in 2010.

Both images shown - (c) Katherine Green 2009

Trouble up North

Sin City Slicker (pictured) and Kurious Incident both qualified for the Semi Finals of the Northern Puppy Derby Semi Finals when both finished third in their respective heats after suffering traffic problems in running. The draw for next week is as follows:-

First 1 Westmead Carl, 2 Harry Patch, 3 Romeo On Air, 4 Drumcrow Obama, 5 Sin City Slicker (m), 6 Killieford Fire (w).
Second: 1 Eye Onthe Impact, 2 Hillcross Eagle, 3 Ballymac Well, 4 Little Gaffer, 5 Greenwell Viper (m), 6 Drumcrow Bunty (w).
Third: 1 Kurious Incident, 2 Ten Large Down (m), 3 Farloe Robinho (m), 4 Skywalker Rose (m), 5 Romeo On Mars (w), 6 Greenwell Gale (w).

Tinto Delivers

Swift Tinto (pictured) finally delivered a win to his loyal owners on Saturday leading us to a fine treble. Tinto stayed on strong to take the A6 contest 28.86, hopefully the win will take the dog to future success. Scotties Warrior remains one of the top dogs on the track and proved that yet again when taking the A1 in 28.45. Our final winner was Moscow Lou who won the A7 in 29.14.

Weekend Entries

The following dogs have been entered to run in Open races over the next few days. On Saturday we head to Sunderland with Kurious Incident and Sin City Slicker who take their chance in the Northern Puppy Derby. Back at Monmore we have Borna Edge, Turar Abit, Bawna Elsa and Moyar Panda all running. On Monday it will be Nottingham with Micks Ginger, Bosscroker and Centaur Marine. On Tuesday we have a date on Sky with Officer Donagh and Centaur Allstar.

It's True

True Bellamy was our only winner on Thursday evening when taking the closing race of the night at Monmore. Quickly away from traps there was no mistakes as he won the A3 contest in 28.66. Sadly Centaur Allstar and Rackethall Hero were both unplaced at Belle Vue and never qualified for the Laurals Final.