Week ending 5th July 2009

Monday 29th
A quiet start to what would be a bad week at the office!
Only 4 runners today at Swindon. Stanton Spaniel provided our best result when finishing a close up 3rd.
Wednesday 1st
Due to the exceptional heat this week, we decided not to trial any of our dogs on Tuesday and spent the morning bathing the dogs. We continued this today and managed to get every dog done. They really seemed to appreciate the cooling dip, and the shampoo has made the dogs coat gleam!
We took 5 runners to the track this evening. Hell Razor ran a cracking race, only going down by a length. He led for a long time but just tired in the last few strides. Stanton Bluebell ran a blinder in the 480m Open Race. She stumbled out of the boxes and was crowding around the opening turns. However, she plugged on gamely to finish 3rd. It's never nice having to run dogs in this heat and all of ours were given around ten minutes wrapped in a cold, wet towel before being returned to the kennel.
Tonight saw the arrival in the kennel of Full Bloom. 'Buster' as he is known, has been a prolific Open Racer throughout his career and won the Irish Derby Consolation Final at Shelbourne Park last year. Although, at 4 1/2 years of age, it's fair to say that his best days are behind him, he's still retains a lot of ability and is a great addition to the kennel.
Friday 3rd
A day that's probably best to forget!
Pigheaded who has been a very good servant over the last 2 1/2 years was disqualified from racing tonight after taking a liking to trap 1's ear hole off the last bend. The hot weather plays havoc with the dogs and the heat can tip normally genuine dogs over the edge. 'Piglet' as she is lovingly known, is to be retired to the owners home and can look forward to great life though.
Tullovin Blossom finished 2nd in her A5 contest but has suffered a ruptured tendon behind her wrist and faces a lengthy lay off. We've had a few niggling injuries lately which can be very frustrating but unfortunately it's part of the game. Our best performances on the track came from Stanton Spaniel who was only beaten a neck. Field Son ran a cracking race and it was only the slow going (-40) that beat him. Realt Gael returned from injury and ran with credit first time up to finish 3rd. She took a nasty tumble on the way to the pick up, but is none the worse for it.
Saturday 4th
A slightly better day today, thankfully! Clomantagh Blue got off the mark with her first victory. She flew from the boxes and won well in 29.77.
There were some very good performances on the night and with a bit of luck we could of come away with 3 or 4 winners. Stanton Sarah ran a blinder after being very badly crowded at the first bend. She was a somewhat detached 5th entering the second bend but flew home to finish 3rd and would surly have won with a run.
There were cries of 'we were robbed' from the terraces as Ballinorig Maeve went from being a 1/10 shot approaching the last bend to being badly crowded and knocked back to 3rd. She rallied quickly though and finished a good 2nd. She would have won comfortably with a run. She will be stepped up to six bends for a trial on Tuesday and will hopefully go well enough to be able to compete in Open Class.
Although Maeve ran a blinder, the performance of the night has to go to Nightgirls Annie. Annie missed the break completely and hit the running rail approaching the first bend. She was so far behind after missing the break that I think she tried to turn the corner at the same time as the dogs in front of her. Out of the second bend she must of been 12 lengths behind the lead dog. She unleashed terrific pace from the third bend and fairly flew home off the last to finish 2nd. She stayed on incredibly well to the pick up and was already having her feet washed off before the other dogs arrived there lol. It will be very interesting to see her in a six bend race. Redstone Turk completed his qualifying trials with a decent 29.04 workout. He almost caught the hare several times during his trial and looks a very pacey sort.

Week ending 28th June 2009

Monday 22th
A busy start to the week with a record 11 runners racing today. We had a very good day with two winners and a hefty 5 seconds!

Stanton Sarah continued her good form of late with an A3 victory in 29.50. Useful tracker, Forest Best bounced back to form with a trap to line win in his A1. He recorded a personal best 28.99. Stanton Denis, Heading South, Ballinahini Dini, Clomantagh Blue and Stanton Spaniel all ran well to finish 2nd.

Tuesday 23rd

A fairly quiet trial session. Easy Eight (29.18), Lively Lotte (29.24) and Well Lilly (29.64) all returned from seasonal break with decent trials. New Irish intake, Redstone Turk moved well in a solo sprint when recording 16.70.

Wednesday 24th

A night to forget for the kennel which saw an horrific fall by youngster, Oddson Foxy. She had just begun to turn for home off the last bend when she was attacked by another dog. She was forced at full speed straight over the outside wall of the track. She quickly recovered to jump back on the track and complete the circuit. However she has been very shaken up by the experience and remains in a bad way.

On a brighter note, Stanton Bluebell ran a cracker in the 480m open race. Having stumbled out the boxes, she showed good pace to the bend, only to be crowded around the first and second turns. However, she showed real pace and determination to finish 3rd and ran with real credit. Serene Lark ran well in his A3, finishing 2nd.

Friday 26th

Two winners on the day but another to forget quickly. A total of 3 dogs took very nasty falls today. Not Yet and Stanton Leroy both took falls in the same race. Leroy seems none the worse, however, Not Yet is fairly sore and will face a couple of weeks on the easy list. Stanton Polly was also sent crashing in her race and unfortunately she will also face a fairly lengthy lay off.

Our two winners came courtesy of Nightgirls Annie and Ling. Annie ran the race of her life to slam her opponents by over 5 lengths. She really powered off the last bend and just drew further and further clear. She recorded a personal best of 29.53.

Ling must go down as one of the bravest dogs in the kennel. She simple would not give in and won the A3 in 29.43 by a short head.

Saturday 27th

A very good night for the kennel which fortunately passed without incident! Whateverittakes dead heated for first in his A5, recording 29.97.

Well Lilly returned form her season break with an unexpected win in her A2. She recorded 29.57. Stanton Buddy continued his good form since returning from injury when scoring in the A1. He overcame early crowding to win in 29.11.

Special mention must be made of Lively Lotte. She ran a hell of a race on her return from season to be beaten just a neck in her A1. She surely would have won with a clear run.

Redstone Turk continued his impressive trial form with a slick 29.11 workout.

Week ending 21st June 2009

Monday 15th

A terrific start to the week with 3 winners and 2 seconds from our 8 runners.
October 07 pup, Queue Pea Are, won his A6 race in good style. The son of former local dog, Loftus Ranger, led off the second bend and went on to win by 5 lengths in a personal best 29.60. Oddson Foxy finished 2nd in the race, in the process she clocked the day's fastest sectional of 2.33.
Puerto Bound got a much deserved success in her A2. She won from off the pace in 29.18. She will be an interesting runner over six bends when given the chance.
Heading South, brother to Puerto Bound, just got up on the line to win his A3 contest in 29.55. Stanton Sarah was a fast finishing 2nd in the same race and has been running well of late.
Tuesday 16th
A pleasing trial session with all the dogs returning safe and sound. Class Eagle trialled over 6 bends and clocked 42.96. Ashby Crown had his first four bend trial in a while and went very well. He clocked the days second fastest time of 29.27.
Stanton Teddy delighted us with his four bend trial. It's the first time in 9 months that Teddy has been over four bends and he recorded a very pleasing 29.70. The main thing is that the hock injury has held up perfectly and a return to racing is looking good.
Wednesday 17th
A good night with 1 winner and a 2nd from our 5 runners.
Serene Lark got a much deserved win in his A4. He quickly hit the front and stuck on gamely to win in a personal best 29.60. He's done very well since returning from his cracked hock.
Nightgirls Annie also recorded a personal best this evening. Although beaten in her A6, she ran very well and stayed on strong. She will be trialling over 6 bends soon.
One to note from tonight is Clomantagh Blue. She was desperately unlucky when coming through to take the lead on the 3rd bend and must go close next time with a run. She'll be well worth a bet.
Friday 18th
Another good day that produced 3 winners for the kennel. Hell Razor opened his account when leading all the way in his A6. He clocked a personal best of 29.97. He is only a Sept 07 pup and this was the first time he's managed to get a clear run. He should start to improve nicely now.
May Dog of the Month, Stanton Leroy, added another win to his tally when scoring in the A2. He is not one to post flashy times, but he wins races which is the main thing. He won today in 29.63.
Stanton Ollie provided the other win when leading all the way in his A3. He recorded 29.56.
The main one of note today was Jan 08 pup, Princess Ziggy. She again fell out the boxes but showed great determination and staying power to finish second in her A5. She recorded 29.67 and really looks like a decent prospect.
Saturday 19th
2 winners and a 2nd from our 7 runners. Burnpark Amy, highlighted last week as being very unlucky, got her head in front off the last bend to win her A7 in style. She recorded 29.93 and can only improve. She looks destined for the 6 bends in time.
Stanton Bluebell continued her excellent form, again leading all the way in the A1. She recorded 28.82 and has now won 3 of her last 4 top heat races. She is certainly the kennel's top dog at the moment. Ballinorig Maeve ran a very good race finishing 2nd to Bluebell. She was a good 6 lengths adrift of her down the back straight but stayed on very strong to be beaten just under 2 lengths. She recorded a decent 28.96 in defeat. She will now be stepped up in trip and will make into a very good stayer.

Week ending 14th June 2009

Monday 8th
A good start to the week with 2 winners and a second from our 8 runners.

Calling Light quickly hit the front in her A2 contest and went on to score in 29.46. However, on return to the kennels she appears to have damaged her wrist and will face a couple of months on the sidelines. That's the ups and downs of racing for you!

Bers Rose continued her excellent recent form when winning another A2. She recorded a personal best of 29.13.

Forest Best is worthy of a mention. He led all the way bar the line in his A1. He recorded a personal best of 28.99.

Tuesday 9th

A fairly quiet trial session today with 5 dogs going through their paces. Puerto Bound had her first 6 bend trial and recorded a decent 42.20.

January 08 baby, Princess Ziggy, qualified for racing today when posting a very pleasing 29.83.

Ashby Crown 16.71, Stanton Teddy 16.81 and Realt Gael 17.22, all returned sound in their comeback trials.

Wednesday 10th

A very good night with 2 winners and 2 seconds from our 5 runners.

Oddson Foxy led all the way in her A7 and recorded a personal best 30.01. This young pup looks to be learning the game nicely now and should continue to improve.

Stanton Jerry finally got the slice of luck he deserved to win his A2. Jerry led around the first and quickly stormed clear down the back straight. He won comfortably by 4 lenghts and recorded a personal best time of 29.06.

Lepus and Stanton Sarah are also worthy of a mention when finishing second in their races.

Thursday 11th

A busy day at the kennels with around 20 dogs being checked over by our physio, Robert Meek.

On the whole it was mainly good news. A couple of dogs face a spell on the sidelines but should make full recoveries. Blue Turmoil, looks like needing another 6 weeks off after damaging a wrist last time out. Calling Light, who actually won on Monday, came home lame and will need a couple of months off with a sprained wrist.

Good news though for a couple of our long term injured dogs. Stanton Tom, who broke a bone just above the hock some 3 months ago, is now ready to start galloping in preparation for a return to racing. Promising pup, Lady Jaro, who cracked her shoulder blade when knocked over in her last race, has also been given the all clear to return to full training.

Friday 12th

Two winners today and some very unlucky losers!

Ballinahini Dini got off the mark for us in only his third run. He won a good A2 contest in style, clocking 29.05. This lad will only get stronger and will make into a good A1 dog.

Ling, provided our other winner of the day when scoring in her A4 race. She won by 7 lengths in a personal best 29.40. She has only just turned two and will give us plenty of fun I'm sure.

Burnpark Amy is worthy of a mention from this evening's meeting. Making her debut for us in A7 grade, she was desperately unlucky not to win. Detached early on, she fairly flew down the back straight and off the last bend and was coming to win the race, only for the dog in front of her to take her ground and impede her. She will surely score next time if given a chance by the grader.

Saturday 13th

Tonight's winner came in the very last race. Stanton Buddy, having only his second run back from injury, flew the lids and led all the way in his A1. He recorded a decent 28.92.

Others worthy of a mention tonight were Field Son and Princess Ziggy. Field Son ran a good race to finish 3rd. The going of -60 was far from ideal for him and he should be going close next time if treated well. January 08 baby, Princess Ziggy, had her first ever race and ran with real credit. She was all at sea around the opening turns but showed good pace when she got the chance. She already looks like a nice staying prospect.

Week ending 7th June 2009

Monday 1st

A quiet start to week with Not Yet returning our best result. She finished a game 2nd in her A2, beaten just a neck.
Tuesday 2nd
Thankfully we had a trial session without incident today. Burnpark Amy qualified for racing and should be making her debut soon. Pigheaded returned from injury to record 30.28. This veteran has done well for us over the years and is still capable of winning races. Kylies Magic 16.80, Ashby Crown 16.73, and Stanton Teddy 17.21, all had solo trials in their return from injury.
Wednesday 3rd
Stanton Bluebell stole the show tonight with a superb front running performance. She smashed the boxes and ran the perfect race. She recorded a personal best 28.80 in winning the A1. It was also by far the fastest of the night. Bluebell has only just turned two years of age this month and will give us no end of fun in the top grades with a bit of luck.
Ballinorig Maeve returned from a short spell off the track to record 29.13 in a solo trial. She stumbled out the boxes but moved nicely.
Friday 5th
Today's meetings produced two more winners and plenty of seconds again! Tullovin Blossom won her A6 contest in 29.67, just getting up on the line. Whateverittakes secured his first race win when scoring in his A6. He is still very green and will improve greatly with experience. He won in 29.98 after trouble at the third bend.
Serene Lark, Stanton Spaniel and Stanton Leroy were all 2nd today.
Saturday 6th
A good night with 2 winners from 7 runners.
Ling, won her first race for us when leading all the way in her A5. She railed the track well and always looked the likely winner. She recorded 29.63.
Ballinorig Maeve returned to graded action to score in the top heat of the night. She overcame slight first bend crowding to score in the fastest time of the night, 28.91. This was her first race for a few weeks and will continue to improve.

*May Dog of the Month*

This month's contest was a very close run affair. Oddson Foxy won 2 from her 5 races. Bers Rose won 2 from 4, including her personal best time. Easy Eight also won 2 from 4, including the 480m Open Race at Swindon. However, the award goes to STANTON LEROY. This fella has overcome a serious gracillis injury to make a return to racing. He won 2 of his 3 races, all in A2 company which just gives him the nod.