[Tony2005]

A night of shocks, sadness, and records . . .


WELL, the competition promised to be full of shocks and the opening night of the williamhill.com greyhound Derby certainly did not disappoint.

With the ante-post favourite, Lenson Bolt, Slick Robert, Faypoint Man, and old favourite Bandicoot Tipoki on the card there was an abundance of top-notch greyhounds to entertain, with a few surprises from the new kids on the block too.

Eye OnThe Storm’s sad,sad departure from the competition actually gave me the worst, and the best moment of the evening in completely contrasting ways. No-one ever likes to see a dog of that calibre break-down, and it was all too reminiscent of the sad night that Premier Fantasy left the Derby. The high-point actually came when the crowd applauded him as he was carried away by his kennelhands. Yet another reminder of the generousity of spirit, and passion that greyhound fans have for the sport. After being at Imperial Kennels the other day we all send out best wishes to Mark and the team, and hope the outlook looks okay for ‘Frankie’.

The opening heat saw a storming run from Eye Eye Pickle, and the first lowering of the track record with a time of 28.48. The well-backed Lenson Bolt happily qualified for one of my favourite owners in the game Len Ponder, with Dean Child’s Swift Planet in second.

Westmead Bond showed a clean pair of heels to win thesecond heat, and possibly the Guinness Book of Record award for the shortest track-record in existence, when just 15mins after ‘Pickle’s win he shaved ten spots off the new track record to score in a scorching 28.38.

Faypoint Man failed to oblige for odds-on backers, instead leaving victory to Alec Stone’s Loyal Rebel, whilst Archaton Pine lead-home Tranquil Time leaving favourite Droopys Bradley cuttingly eliminated in third place.

Wewere standing at the track tonight and it was ‘here come the girls’ as I jumped up to bet with my all-female team off Charlotte clerking, and Ruby – one of our local cashiers on the bag. I’m not sure whether the glamour attracted any new clientele, but it must be a first for greyhound racing to have an XX-chromosome lead bookies!

Anyway, I hadn’t expected any real fireworks on the betting front, but heat five attracted a spread of money for plenty of different dogs. Fair bets were fielded for Monleek Cowboy in trap two, and Bosscroker in five left us with almost a skinner for one of my favourite veterans Bubbly Totti. Stevie Fluin’s syndicate dog then fired one hometo a few ‘aye, ayes’ from the Hills pitch! Early money always talks volumes though, and the shrewdies were out as soon as we priced-up the heat to take the opening 7-2.

Westmead Scolari fired another win in for theindomitable Derby combination of Nick Savva and Bob Morton coming from behind to pick-up Glynncross Mal and prevail by half-a-length.

The aforementioned Bandicoot Tipoki duly obliged my nerdy side (Crash Bandicoot computer game fan!) to prevail for Derby king Charlie Lister and also made it a triumvirate of track records with an electric 28.26sec. But it was Yahoo Jamie’s victory that truly shocked me. Having gone through the card earlier on he was one that really left me cold and I thought he and Troys Expert were opposable, in favour of Moneygall Obama. With the five-dog unlayable, it was ‘pay, pay’ to the punters this time, but I sincerely felt that the blue dog,brave in defeat was the one to take out of the race. If he’d broken level with Jamie he’d have gone even closer, and he palpably deserves another look in the next round. Yet another lesson in never underestimating Charlie Lister!

The Hungarian-trained Stemart Knut attracted a fair amount of money in the ring – although none of it came from South London accents! Which goes to show what a multi-national following this sport attracts. Droopys Joe fired in another one for favourite backers after being punted into evens from 6/5, and obliged in a fair time of 28.65.

Friday looks like being another belter of an evening. Mesedo Blue represents 2008 winning trainer Seamus Cahill in the opener, whilst Fear Zafonic will be looking to emulate his lightning-fast trial of last week in heat 14 at 8.15pm. I’m looking forward to seeing Diane Henry’s Juvenile winner Ten Large Down come out at 9.15pm, and some well-informed individuals tell me to expect big things from Westmead Grant at 10pm.

If Friday night delivers half of what we’ve seen Friday, it’ll still be a night to remember. Get down to the ‘Don or watch in any of the Hills shops, or online at www.williamhill.com. Just don’t miss out!

Latest Hills' betting (12-1 the field):
12-1 Banidcoot Tipoki, Fear Zafonic, 14 Mesedo Blue, Nambisco, 20Ten Large Down, Toomaline Jack, Tullymurry Jack, Westmead Grant, Yahoo Jamie, 25 Kurg Ninety Five, 33 Barefoot Bullet, 40 bar.