Bolt sets the standard in Stud Book

Westmead Bolt went quickest in the heats of the Greyhound Stud Book Trophy at Monmore as he took the second in 28.34 by 3 1/2 lengths. Dave Firmager landed a double in the other two heats courtesy of Fabulous Athena (28.35) and Romeo Amerigo (28.58) who beat our own Westmead Logan who will join Bolt in next weeks Final.

Draw for next Thursday’s £2,500 Greyhound Stud Book Trophy final: 1 Fabulous Athena, 2 Micky Robbie, 3 Westmead Bolt, 4 Westmead Logan (m), 5 Mark My Words (m), 6 Romeo Amerigo (w).

Lively Mondays took the final race on the card which was an A3 in 29.36.

Rockets moves to Sprint Semi at Poole

Fifi's Rocket was our only qualifier for the Saturdays Semi Final of the Dave Lawrence Golden Crest at Poole. Rocket showed his customary early pace but was caught up in trouble at the first corner. he managed to seal the third qualifying space to return to Poole on Saturday. It was interesting to note Rocket remains 2nd favourite for the competition despite the defeat. 

Semi Final Draw

1 Harrys Yer Man, 2 Miss Crispys, 3 Cockney Diva (m), 4 Coolykereen Hi (m), 5 Omega Mick (m), 6 Fifis Rocket (w)

Sprinters head to Poole

We head to Poole tomorrow for a trappy looking Dave Lawrence Golden Crest competition over 450 metres. There are four heat of which 3 qualify from each heat to make up two Semi Finals. In Heat 1 So Larry with clash with Fifis Rocket. Our other representative is Daughter of Peg who takes her chance in Heat 2. Good Luck to all connections.

Bank Holiday Hatrick

Three winners at Monmore this afternoon for the team. Ballymac Siobhan sung the Racing Post Nap Iceman Artha when taking the A4 in 29.26. Ballymac Annette made it 3 wins from her last 4 starts when producing a great run in the A8 in 29.56. Tullna Rose recorded her first win since February when staying on strongly to win the A3 in 28.78 by 3 3/4 lengths.

Team are on the Easter bunny

A strong performance by the team on Monmore last night. So Larry (pictured) turned himself into a 416 specialist and recorded another win when taking last nights open in 25.07. Curra King lost his maiden tag when taking the following race which was an A6 in 29.45. Fatboyz Romeo made it 3 winners on the trot for the evening when taking the Division 2 480 with a 28.61 success. Cap N Collar made the most of a drop to A8 to take the contest in 29.68. Radnor Blue made it five winners for the night when taking the S2 in 38.77. This was Radnor Blue's 11th from 49 starts. Sadly Fatboyz Slim disappointed in the TV Trophy at Sittingbourne.

Easter Grading Round Up

Westmead Badger followed up last weeks win win another stunning run to take last nights A3 in 28.76 by 4 1/2 lengths. Connections can expect another rise in grade. We also managed to take the final A3 of the evening when Ballymac Celia (pictured) got a deserved success when she won by a hard fought head in 28.96. Ballymac Away was the only runner to trouble the score sheet on Good Friday when she took the A7 in 29.05.

Meldrums Open Race Stats

Peter Meldrum has kindly put a few facts together on our year to date. Many thanks Peter, our readers and owners will be very interested.

We have had 41 open race winners from 204 runners. 

Prize money stands at £19,373

The leading dog by most open race wins is currently a tie with 4 wins each to Brittons Empire, Daughter of Peg, Express Shuttle and Head Iton Jason. So Larry and Borna Jessica have 3 wins each.

Brittons Empire on Riband Final Night

I can finally post the last of the photographs from Tuesday evening at Hall Green. Brittons Empire owner Neil Britton may be writing his own column on the website soon after telling punters at home to "lump on" during an interview before the race. Neil's judgement was confirmed as correct when Empire pinged from traps to lead all the way in a rapid time of 28.27. Neil has invested heavily into the sport and it has been great to see him rewarded as it doesn't always happen.

Blue Riband Stayers

Head Iton Jason showed absolutely no signs of his recent trips to Scotland when running out an Impressive winner on last nights staying race over 6 bends at Hall Green. Quickly in to his stride he ran the tricky circuit very well considering this was his first look at the track. The winning margin was two lengths and the time was 39.14.

Betfair Blue Riband Sprint

Fifi's Rocket couldn't have started the evening any better for the kennel as he simply came out under the traps to steal an unassailable lead to take the contest by an amazing 6 1/2 in a track record time of 15.14. By bizarre circumstances the previous track record for held by own own Officer Donagh.

Photos straight from the Blue Riband Final

Friend of the kennel Dave Yanez was quick out the traps after last nights Final to kindly send us photographs of our fantastic night at Hall Green where Express Shuttle took the 2011 running of the Betfair Blue Riband. The pictures really tell the story of the race. Shuttle failed to trap as he can and was half a length down going into the first corner. He simply ran the bend to perfection and when Westmead Guru opened the door on the second bend Shuttle simply burst clear to steal the race to record a 28.42 victory by 3 3/4 lengths. I'd like to thank all the syndicate who bought this dog off our sale page, it just shows dreams can come true. Finally it great to have such great support from the staff who have worked so hard with the dog. Well done everyone. I'll post an report on the other races later in the evening.(Photo source - davidyanez@mac.com)

Express Shuttle takes Blue Riband on top night for team

Four winners for the team on the televised Sky meeting this evening including the £5,000 Betfair Blue Riband with Express Shuttle. Our other winners were Fifis Rocket, Brittons Empire and Head Iton Jason. A full report will be posted tomorrow including photographs if they land in time. Congratulations to all the connections !

Leaving it late

We had to wait to the final two races of the day today to land our winners. Curra Ranger (pictured) landed his first deserved victory when he took the A4 in 29.14 by two lengths. Galtee Adams recorded her second career win when taking the closing A5 with a smooth performance to win in 29.15.

Roll on Tuesday

We have a good team heading to Hall Green for Tuesdays live Sky TV card. Express Shuttle will trying to steal and an early lead from his Trap 1 position in the Betfair Blue Riband Final. On the undercard Fifis Rocket has his favoured trap 6 in the sprint, Brittons Empire will have plenty on his plate in the standard, debutant Skyline Amber take sin chance in the marathon whilst Head iton Jason makes a quick reappearance over 6 bends.

No luck at Shawfield

We had to return from Shawfield without a winner sadly. Westmead Bolt gave his chance away with a slow start but kept on well to finish third, Head iton Jason was nutted on the line in the Stayers race whilsy Ten Dollars More was unplaced.

Tyson lands knock out blow

After a blank night on Thurday, Ballymac Hilary saved us from a repeat on Fridays card when she took the afternoons A5 in 29.16. Hilary continues to rise up the grades and is a nice bitch to train. Normal service was resumed on Saturday as we had a hatrick of wins at our home track. Cap N Hand took the opening A9 in 29.37 with a gutsy performance to record his second win on the bounce. Westmead Logan took Division 2 of the 416 Open with a 2 3/4 length win in 24.62. Our final winner of the evening was Walkaway Tyson who landed his 2nd victory from just 6 starts when taking the A4 in 28.78.

Will Julie ping from traps in Charity race ?

On the 27th April Julie Collier from Sky Sports will be dressing up as a greyhound mascot on behalf of Sky for the bettor.com Human Hound Charity Race at Peterborough Greyhound Stadium, running against 5 other mascots with some likely to be  professional ! In short, she will be running on national television in aid of the Retired Greyhound Trust. Please will you sponsor her and make her feel like it is all worth while!? You can send a cheque payable to ibetx Limited to her directly at Sky Sports, Grant Way, Isleworth, Middlesex TW7 5QD.

Kinda long way..............

Kinda Ready's co owner Daren Johnson is currently running from John O’Groats to Lands End, a whopping 850 miles, to raise money for Help for Heroes and The Retired Greyhound Trust. Having left on the 2nd April, Daren hopes to complete his run in 26 days, which means that he must run, on average, 32 miles each day. This means he is running 26 marathons consecutively!

To find out how Daren’s challenge is going, or to sponsor him and give a bit back yourself, please visit his website: www.giveabitback.net.

Shuttle safely into Blue Riband Final

Express Shuttle reached his second major Final of his short career on Tuesday evening when he finished second in the first Semi Final. Quickly into stride he just just failed to reach the corner in front and then created havoc behind as he opted for a middle course around the bend. He chased down the winner hard and just failed to catch Springwell Hot by  3/4 length.

Draw for Tuesday’s £5,000 final: 1 Express Shuttle, 2 Westmead Guru, 3 Springwell Hot (m), 4 Johnnys Way (m), 5 Alfies Options (m), 6 Sweeps Hill (m).

Rico denied

Uncle Rico's (pictured) was denied his maiden win on Monday evening when he was badly baulked in the Maiden Final over 500 metres at Nottingham. He ran on strong to seal 2nd place, his time will come. Also on the card Yorkshire Lady was unplaced in a tough Puppy Open, Westmead Logan was beaten under a length to finish 2nd and Fatboyz Slim was a disappointing 6th.

Treacle Pudding

Treacle Express started the week well for us this afternoon when taking the A4 in 28.75 by 2 lengths. We didn't have to wait long for our next winner when Cap N Hand took the following race which was an A10 in 29.77. It was then the turn of Galtee Petal who took the A6 with a gutsy 29.52 win. Finally Ballymac Annette denied the rise in grade to take the A9 and make it back to back wins with a 29.89 success.

Slim set for debut

The Anthony Cameron owned Fatboyz Slim will debut at Nottingham tomorrow night. Since arriving from Ireland it has taken plenty of time to get him to settle. I'm really hoping he runs well over the 680 metres and gives us plenty of optimism for the rest of 2011. Joining him at Nottingham is Uncle Rico who contests a 500 metres maiden Final and Yorkshire Lady who runs in a Puppy Open.

A shocker of a night

Just when everything seems to be going so well the sport we all love always throws you a real curve ball. Starting at Shawfield Westmead Grant threw away a guaranteed place in the Scottish Derby Final for deliberate interference close home after a lengthy deliberation. In truth, they did not appear to have much option with Westmead Grant having moved markedly in towards his rival when seeming set to go past. Utterly gutted ! Head Iton Jason was denied on the line in the stayers race but still qualified for next Saturdays Final on Sky. Joining Jason in the Final will be Ten Dollars More who finished third behind the impressive Boher Hawk in 42.15. The Final draw is :- 1 Anfi Gem, 2 Head Iton Jason,3 Centurion Enry (m), 4 Cally Time (m), 5 Ten Dollars More (m), 6 Bower Hawk (w).

Sadly we suffered more misfortune at Monmore where Ballymac Rumble was disqualified after winning his open.  This was his first race since returning from injury and I can only think the loss of his toe was annoying him when running so hard. 

The highlight of the evening was Westmead Badger first win for his new connections. Badger was quickly in to his stride and took the A4 in 28.91. This will hopefully be the first of many wins.

Peg steps forward in Super Sprint

Mixed fortunes for the team at Romford on Friday in the Golden Sprint. Sadly So Larry and Fifis Rocket were both eliminated. Rocket was very unlucky as he had broken well and was 1/2 length clear going into the bend only to be taken out causing great frustration for all of us. Daughter of Peg blew here rivals in Heat 5 to record a 2 1/2 length win in 24.12. Next Fridays Semi Final draw is as follows :-

1 Directors Wit, 2 Daughter Of Peg, 3 Salacres Vision (m), 4 Droopys Tsonga (m), 5 Brooklyn Bandit (m), 6 Aero Merlin (w).

Shuttle shines in Riband

Express Shuttle flew into Tuesday nights Betfair Blue Riband Semi Finals when recording a 4 1/2 length win in 28.24 on Friday evening at Hall Green. Quickly away from traps be made for the rails and was always in control. Ballymac Ace was a disapointing 4th and we are going to leave him off and see if we can establish the problem with him as he is not showing his form from last year.

Draw for Tuesday’s Semi Final:
1^st Semi 1 Bakari 2 Express Shuttle 3 Freedom Chief 4 Jolly Poacher 5 Fargo Fortune (m) 6 Springwell Hot (m) (Only 2 Qualify)

Friday Hatrick

For some reason we have struggled for winners on Fridays during 2011 however we ended that trend with a hatrick of wins. First to oblige was Direct Point who recorded his third win in succession when taking the A6 in 29.14. Radnor Blue then put in a impressive run to take the S2 in 38.47. Fawns Fortune brought the hatrick home when taking the A6 in 29.24.

Rise to the occasion

Cooladerry Rise (pictured) rose to the occasion on Thursday evening when recording his second career victory in the A3. The 29.35 success was by a hard fought head.

Webmaster back in action

We have had to endure a couple of days without updates as our webmaster had a well earned break at Liverpool races watching the Grand National Meeting. With him landing back in Midlands on Sunday I'm sure he will be updating all the news from recent days.

Weekend runners

We have a busier weekend than normal approaching. Friday sees the start of the Betfair Blue Ribband at Hall Green where Ballymac Ace meets Express Shuttle in the final heat of the night. Meanwhile down at Romford we have a strong team in the Golden Sprint - Daughter of Peg, Fifis Rocket and in the form So Larry. On Saturday we head to Shawfield as previously detailed and we also have runners at Monmore including Ard Blossom, Borna Jessica, Ballymac Pact, Ballymac Rumble and Fatboyz Diva.

Three progress in Scottish Derby

We returned from Shawfield with three contenders still in the Bettor.com Scottish Derby. Sadly Westmead Logan was eliminated in Heat 1 after a slow start. Heat 3 saw both Brittons Empire (3rd) and Westmead Grant (2nd) both qualify. Our final qualifier was Westmead Bolt who battled on well to clinch 3rd place in Heat 4.

Draw for Saturday’s semi-finals - first: 1 Beaming Dilemma, 2 Westmead Bolt, 3 Bubbly Razldazl, 4 Farley Blitz, 5 Pablo Supreme, 6 Ballymac Well.
Second semi: 1 Farloe Force, 2 Brittons Empire, 3 Taylors Cruise, 4 Manilla Flash (m), 5 Grayslands Bubba (m), 6 Westmead Grant (w).

Trainers Championship 2011 Video

I'd like to thank friend of the kennel Dave Yanez for kindly editing and posting a mini video as a record of our fantastic night at the Trainers Championship at Wimbledon. It was great to hear that cheer as Fifi's wentt round in front. Many thanks, the drinks are on me.

Busy week ahead

We have a major week ahead and will be clocking up plenty of miles. Tonight we are heading to Nottingham with Uncle Rico. Tuesday will be the long journey to Shawfield for the Quarter Finals of the Scottish Derby. On Friday I'm planning to have runners at Romford in Golden Sprint and also at Hall Green.

Top Gear

New owner Frank Martin took advantage of my main man being first of the mark again in Ireland when he snapped up Express Gear. Gear is a full brother to Monmore Puppy Derby runner up Express Shuttle. He looks to an excellent purchase for the kennel and I can't wait to see him in action. He ran in the Produce Stakes at Clonmel on Thursday but found serious trouble in running.

Winning roll at Monmore

Ballymac Celia couldn't have started the evening any better for us at Monmore as she took advantage of the drop back down to graded company as she took the A4 in 28.79. Ballymac Sarah recorded her first win since last year when she stayed on well to win in 29.05. I was pleased with Ballymac Annettes victory in the  A10, which she won in 29.56. Finally Richster Corgan recorded his third victory on the bounce when he took the evenings A1 in 28.89 by 1 1/2 lengths.

Shawfield Returns

A big night for the kennel last night as we headed to Shawfield for the first round of the Scottish Derby. First to go was Brittons Empire who battled on well in Heat 2 to take the third qualifying spot in 29.69. Westmead Grant was always handy in Heat 5 and then stormed clear on the third bend to win in 29.36. Westmead Bolt proved to be our third qualifier when he finished strongly to take second spot in Heat 6 in 29.36. Ballymac Ace battled well but could only finished 4th. Finally Westmead Swift took Heat 8 at a massive 8/1 in 29.60 staying on well in the closing stages of the race. Boher Legend looks to be the dog to beat and he romped to a 28.94 success. 

Draw for Tuesday's quarter-finals 

First: 1 Ardera Monarch, 2 Farley Blitz, 3 Pablo Supreme, 4 Bubbly Razldazl, 5 Westmead Logan (m), 6 Boher Legend (w).
Second: 1 Jordansoilutions, 2 Taylors Cruise, 3 Mill Bling Bling, 4 Ballymac Well, 5 Tictac Jet (m), 6 Manilla Flash (m).
Third: 1 Target Classic, 2 Beaming Dilemma, 3 Brittons Empire, 4 Sniper Petra, 5 Sanantone Fred (m), 6 Westmead Grant (w).
Fourth: 1 Westmead Bolt, 2 Farloe Force, 3 Krug Ninety Five, 4 Peggys Way (m), 5 Grayslands Bubba (m), 6 Killieford Fire (w).

Straight to the Point

Direct Point recorded his second win on the bounce when taking yesterdays A7 in 29.62. He had the race sealed in the early stages about boucing out and then showing some great early pace.

Bettor.com Scottish Derby first-round preview

I came across a Scottish Derby preview on the web that proved to be an interesting reading ! I'll post the previews that have our runners in.

Heat Two

1 SALACRES VISION 2 MODERN MAN 3 BRITTONS EMPIRE 4 JORDANSOILUTIONS 5 MILL BLING BLING 6 DROOPYS DIARRA (W)

MILL BLING BLING’s terrible draw in trap five has the ability to leave this heat in a bit of a mess by the first bend. His tendency to move inside, along with the lightning pace he showed when second behind Blue Artisan in the Racing Post Juvenile could well end the aspirations of Jordansoilutions and Brittons Empire. Little is known about Fraser Black’s Droopys Diarra but the hound could have a plum draw in six if he is able to build on his 29.13secs trial run.

Bettor.com pick – 5 + 6 + 3

Heat Five

1 TAYLORS CRUISE 2 DROOPYS LUISAO 3 GLENBANE MILE 4 BALLYMAC WELL 5 DROOPYS CRISTIAN (M) 6 WESTMEAD GRANT (W)

Glenbane Mile looks a real progressive sort, and is fancied to go far in the competition, but has a worrying draw sandwiched between Ballymac Well and Droopys Luisao. If Taylors Cruise can rediscover the form that he showed in last year’s Wimbledon Puppy Derby then he may figure from trap one. WESTMEAD GRANT ran well enough behind Bandicoot Tipoki on Trainers Championship night and he looks the safest option in a very tight race.

Bettor.com pick – 6 + 1 + 3

eat Six

1 WESTMEAD BOLT 2 BALLYMAC ACE 3 LASSALA SCHOLES 4 PEGGYS WAY (M) 5 SANANTONE FRED (M) 6 GREENANE MISTY (W)

Peggys Way ran an outstanding 3.64secs sectional in a trial stakes but may have problems clearing the equally speedy Sanantone Fred, who will jink inside from trap five. Westmead Bolt hasn’t got the early pace to take advantage of his plum draw, but will be staying-on late in the day. BALLYMAC ACE (nap) is top-class and has won over sprint distances, meaning he should have the pace to lead up on the inside.

Bettor.com pick – 2 + 1 + 4

 Heat Seven
1 SNIPER PETRA 2 YOUNG SID 3 GRAYSLANDS BUBBA (M) 4 WESTMEAD LOGAN (M) 5 DROOPYS POIROT (W) 6 RAYVIN NEASA (W)
Rayvin Neasa may finally get to the first bend unscathed for the first time in a while, but has only won two of his eight career races and can’t be trusted just yet. Sniper Petra has a great record at Shawfield and won the Bitches trophy last season. Paul Young wouldn’t have made the 415 mile journey from Romford to Shawfield if he didn’t have a serious chance of progressing into the latter stages and YOUNG SID (nb) may be lightly race but has bags of potential.
Bettor.com pick – 2 + 1 + 6

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