Hats off to Charlie .....again.......

Charlie Lister OBE added another English Derby to his ever increasing list of honours when Sidaz Jack  took last nights £150,000 prize when taking the prestigious crown by 1 1/4 lengths in 28.37. Congratulations to Charlie, his team and connections.

Great news for Greyhound Derby fans

As any greyhound fan I was over the moon to hear this year’s William Hill Derby will be televised live from start to finish after Racing Post Greyhound TV clinched a deal to broadcast the first two rounds of the premier Classic.

Sky Sports had previously agreed to show the third round onwards in an arrangement which, via SIS, for the first time also included getting the latter stages of the Derby into all betting shops.

Jennie Prest, Hill’s sponsorship and PR manager, said yesterday: “Having the whole of the 2013 William Hill Greyhound Derby televised opens the competition up for punters and greyhound fans alike to follow the complete Derby story, from the very first heat to finals night.

"It’s a great opportunity to showcase the sport to the widest ever audience and our thanks goes to everyone who has made this happen. We are looking forward to working with RPGTV to put on four great shows for the first and second rounds.”

Clive Feltham, MD of the GRA, the operators of Wimbledon, added: “With every round televised, no one need miss a second of this thrilling competition. Its unrestricted format definitely make it the greatest greyhound race in the world.”

On our entries are still very much undecided at this stage but we will post any plans as soon as we are decided.

Bridge stars on Derby Night

 

Boherna Bridge gave the kennel a welcome boost last night when taking the William Hill Division A Stayers in front of the Sky cameras on Derby Final Night. Sent off at a huge 16/1 Bridge forced his way through on the second bend and simply galloped all the way to the line to win in 42.34. 


Freds Champ was seriously unlucky in the Derby Plate Final as Taylors Cruise interfered with him on the home straight. All of the team were gutted when it was clear he was the best dog in the race. 


Many thanks to Dave Yanez for getting the images to use so quickly.


I would like to congratulate Mark Wallis and connections for winning the William Hill Derby with Blonde Snapper. 

Derby dream ends in Round 2

Sadly our dream of winning the biggest prize of all the English Derby ended on Friday night when both our contenders were both eliminated. Freds Champ looked like he would qualify until being ran out of a qualifying place. Goa Getta could never get on terms in Heat 7 and ended being unplaced. Both these dogs will win many races in the future.

William Hill Derby - Round 1 Report

Friday night saw the start of the 2012 William Hill Derby. As always its a great competition to be involved with however its probably the toughest test for any dog especially when you reach the final stages.


Goa Getta qualified despite finishing just 5th in Heat 4. Getta was very slow in coming away from traps and I'm sure she will improve for the experience.


Freds Champs (pictured) put in a stunning run in Heat 9 as he lead all the way to record a 1 1/2 length win in 28.66. Champ actually broke the split clock and if he can continue to break that well he could have a great Derby campaign.


Rusheen Major could only finish 6th in his first round heat last night and was sadly eliminated.

Taylors Sky takes Derby crown

Congratulations to Charlie Lister and his team who trained Taylors Sky to take the £75,000 Williamhill.com Greyhound Derby final at a packed Wimbledon on Saturday night.



Charlie's dog took control at the first bend and sprinted clear as Westmead Guru gave pursuit. Keeping up a relentless gallop the son of Westmead Hawk broke his own track record scoring by 5 1/4L in a superb 28.17.


Fatboyz Slim was third in the Dorando Marathon that was won in 56.69. Lotties Girl led from start to finish and despite Slim throwing down a big challenge he could never quite get on terms.

Derby Final day arrives

Its Derby Final night at Wimbledon tonight. It should be a fantastic night, lets hope Fatboyz Slim can win for us. Once I've finished updating the blog I'll be looking at our Facebook page to see if anyone has a tip left in. Wimbledon are expecting to welcome a close-to-capacity crowd of around 2,500 to the south London track Saturday for the williamhill.com Derby meeting. The days of five-figure attendances on greyhound racing's biggest night have long gone, and last year's moving of the track's racing operation from the grandstand to far-side Mick The Miller enclosure means the number of spectators is now limited to a maximum of 3,000. It's £15 admission for everybody - no concessions. Gates open at 4.30pm, and car parking is on a first-come first-served basis.”


It's been a great competition so far and Fifi Rocket was just brilliant and gave us all a great deal of pleasure. I'd like to wish all the other trainers the best of luck in tonight's Final.

Lets make a loudest cheers of night he Slim gets clear !

Dream end for Fifis but oh what a dream............

The Derby dream ended for all of us on Saturday as Fifis Rocket departed the English Derby at the Semi Final stage. He never simply came away from traps like he done in the previous heats. Perhaps the switch to trap 3 was a bridge to far. It has been a fantastic Derby and I know owner Thomas Kelly has enjoyed every minute of it.

Fifis sprints in to English Derby Semi Final

Fifis Rocket reached the Semi Final of the English Derby set a scorching pace to stretch the field in the final Quarter Final last night. He led off the last bend when the two close runs together may have stretched his stamina however he took deep to clinch the 3rd qualifying spot.

Rocket drew trap 3 in Saturdays Semi Final. Whilst we know he comes away better from trap 6 we can hope we can build up a healthy lead and clinch a place in the show piece final.

Saturday's 1st Semi



1 Taylors Sky


2 Bright Redcliffe


3 Fifis Rocket (w)


4 Pennys Viking(w)


5 Destroy The Camp (w)


6 Barefoot Bullet (w)


2nd Semi


1 Westmead Guru


2 Razldazl George


3 Nambisco


4 Bellers Bud (w)


5 Melodys Royal (w)


6 Cloheena Cash (w)

Dream far from over for Shuttle and Empire

We had to return from Wimbledon on Saturday with only Fifis Rocket remaining in the 2011 Greyhound Derby. Sadly Express Shuttle and Brittons Empire were both eliminated after disappointing runs. The dream is far from over for both dogs as both will be contentors in many of the big races of 2011.

Draw for the 3rd round

Heat 2

1 Buzz Doc
2 Westmead Maldini
3 Diesel Malc
4 Modern Man
5 Fifis Rocket (w)
6 Trevi You Go (w)

Speed Rocket

Fifis Rocket progressed to Round 3 of the Derby after taking the second qualifying spot in closing heat on Friday night at Wimbledon. Blasting out of traps in his customary fashion he led to near the line. He is clearly loving the circuit and we are all hoping he continues to fly. Now for tonight............fingers crossed

WilliamHill.com Greyhound Derby Round 2 Draw

William Hills have kept Razldazl Jayfkay as their 6-1 ante-post favourite after the second round draw was reasonably kind to the leading fancies, splitting them well over the two nights - Friday and Saturday. Here are the draws that invlove our team.
Heat 5

1 Westmead Maldini
2 Farloe Titan
3 Rayvin Bob
4 Shaneboy Flash (m)
5 Fifis Rocket (w)
6 Pennys Viking (w)


Heat 9

1 Westmead Bolt
2 Express Shuttle
3 Diesel Malc
4 Jaytee Tiger
5 Rockview Head (m)
6 Legal Rebel (m)


Heat 11

1 Westmead Guru
2 Local Dee Jay
3 Brittons Empire
4 Hats My Boy (m)
5 Farloe Skywalker (w)
6 Droopys Lars (w)

Rocket is king of the sectionals

Fifis Rocket showed the rest of the Derby field what genuine early pace is when recording the fastest sectional of the second night of the heats. Rocket tired on the run for home but by that time safely had the second qualifying space in the bag,

Empire takes the Shuttle in Derby

We returned home from Wimbledon last night with both Brittons Emprire and Express Shuttle safely through to round 2. The heat money for Brittons Empire proved spot on as he showed the best early to take over from fast up Brer Hare (faded) at the turn. Express Shuttle, runner up in the Ladbrokes Puppy Derby at Monmore before landing the Betfair Blue Riband at Hall Green, is still getting used to Wimbledon and whilst railing well will need to improve from traps if he wants to stay in the competition. The 28.57 win certainly made a couple of the large bookmakers cut his price.

Derby Entries confirmed

Express Shuttle posted an impressive 28.67 whe leading all the way in a pre-derby work out around Wimbledon. Shuttle will be entered alongside Fifis Rocket and Brittons Empire.Official confirmation is awaited, but with a field of 150, it probably means the WilliamHill.com Derby first round will be over two nights, Friday and Saturday of next week. The draw is being made 1pm Sunday.

Great boost for Derby

William Hill gave the sport a great boost this week when they have confirmed they have reached agreement with the GRA to sponsor the Derby once again in 2011, with the bookmaking firm also announcing a series of sponsorships that virtually mirror their commitment this year. There support is instrumental to the sport, so many thanks.

Derby Final Night

Tonight see's the Final of the English Derby at Wimbledon. It looks to be a great nice of racing and I'm hoping for a big run by Officer Donagh as he takes on his old pal Jimmy Lollie in the opener. Back at Monmore I'm hopeful of a couple of winners. Bawna Elsa, Bunas Ginger, Rackethall Hero, Pony Shiela, Ballymac Rumble and Highview Lace are all entered in open races.

The Boss sneaks through

Bosscroker qualified for the third round of the English Derby at Wimbledon last night when finishing third to Toomaline Jack who took the race in 28.45. His rapid early toe took him round the first two corners in front and he took deep of the last bend. He will take his chance in heat four next week.

1 Krug Ninety Five (m)

2 Bosscroker (m)

3 Honey Impact (m)

4 Barefoot Bullet (w)

5 Carrigoe Bigphil (w)

6 Cloheena Cash (w)

Derby Round 1 - Friday

Sadly our pair of Ballymac dogs were eliminated from the Derby at Wimbledon last night. Ballymac Rumble finished 4th behind Ministry Magic in 28.75. The same position was achieved by Ace who ended up in a very tough heat with Nambisco.

Derby Round 1 - Thursday

Bosscroker made it through in heat 5 as the English Derby kick started at Wimbledon. He had disputed the lead from half way before before being caught in the shadow of the line. To finish second was a great run. Bandicoot Tipoki looked very impressive in a 28.55 win. Fingers crossed for Eye of the Storm who looked to have suffered a nasty injury when looking sure to qualify.