Week ending 6th September 2009

Monday 31st
A good start to the week with 2 winners from our 5 runners. Stanton Jerry won his A2 in a decent 29.07. Having missed the break, he showed terrific early and back straight pace to take the lead at the halfway point and stuck on gamely. Well Lilly returned to a bit of form after her season to win her A3 in 29.59. She will get better and better from now on.
Tuesday 1st
A fairly busy trial day with 8 dogs going. Youngsters, Trade Paco and Dance Izzy qualified for racing while Lively Lotte, Clonark Brett, Lepus and Clomantagh Blue went well in their comeback trials. Un raced pup, Chavy Granny went well to record a 30.00 off a sectional of 2.97 !
Wednesday 2nd
1 winner tonight from our 4 runners. Stanton Torres continued his good recent form with an all the way win in A3. He recorded 29.51. Princess Ziggy also ran well to finish 2nd in her A5.
Thursday 3rd
Finally the M25 was kind to us and we got to Hove without incident. Redstone Turk, although beaten for the first time at Hove tonight, probably ran his best race there. He finished 2nd beaten just over 2 lengths. Turk was very poorly drawn in trap 3 in race which had 4 wide runners in. He was hampered straight out the boxes by trap 2 but stuck to his line bravely and ran a straight line to the bend. He was slightly crowded around the first and turned out of the second level with Seamus Cahills decent Open dog, Corrig Count and about 5 lengths behind the leader, Sussex Cup runner up Farney King. We ran away from Corrig Count along the back and did well to chase the leader down to 2 lengths at the finish. This was a high class field which also included Sussex Cup winner Raithby Sarah and having not run for 2 weeks our fella did us proud and proved he can produce the goods against top quality dogs. He'll be running at Swindon on Wednesday before heading to Nottingham on Monday for a small competition.
Friday 4th
A terrific day with 4 winners and a couple of seconds. The dogs really ran well and all came home safe. Hell Razor got the ball rolling when winning his A5 by nearly 5 lengths in a personal best 29.67. He's a terrific little dog to train and does everything right and gives his all every time he goes to the track.
Strictly Baileys ran the race of his life to win his A3 by nearly 7 lengths in a decent 29.08. The race was over as a contest as 'Simba' trapped well and led going in to the first bend. He went further clear as the race went on and has done really well since returning from injury. He's now won 6 from his 15 races.
Cheeseboard continued her excellent form to win another A2. She again led all the way and recorded a personal best 29.28. She has now won 4 from her last 5.
Stanton Tom won a scrappy A2 in 29.55. He took a whack around the first but stuck to his guns well to hold on at the line. Lisnakil Xpress ran well to finish 2nd in his A6. Parnell Lee is one to look out for next time. Having his first run for 2 weeks he was desperately unlucky in his A2 and would have won well with a clear run. He's a nice dog.
Saturday 5th
Although we didn't have a winner tonight the dogs ran really well again and there were a couple of terrific performances from our pups.
Dance Izzy is only a March 08 pup and had her first ever race tonight in A5. She fell out the boxes in a 2.75 sectional but showed lovely pace and great track craft to make a real race of it. She finished 4th in the end but would have won easily with a run off the last bend. She is mad for the game and led a mile to pick up.
Trade Paco also had his first ever race tonight and ran a blinder. As pups tend to do first time out, Paco fell from the boxes about 4 lengths behind everything else but showed lovely early pace before losing his way around the first two bends. When he managed to sort himself out he showed a classy turn of pace down the back and was as brave as a lion running through dogs on the third bend. He drifted out wide off the last bend and finished third. Considering how hard it is for pups going straight in to A3 class, this was a great run by him and he looks a really exciting prospect. He certainly went in a few peoples note book after tonight!
Realt Gael again ran well to finish 2nd in A3, Oaks best also ran OK to finish 3rd in his A8 and Forest Best did plenty of running to finish 3rd in a decent A1.
Before Racing tonight, Clonark Brett, Puerto Bound, Lively Lotte and Superstar Lilly all had 480 trials. Superstar Lilly confirmed my thoughts that she is destined for big things when winning only her second ever four bend trial in good style. She trialled against two of our decent dogs in Lively Lotte and Puerto Bound and in all honesty she made them look pace less! She won her trial after two sets of trouble in 29.56 and would have easily done 29.20 with a run. She really could be anything this girl.
On a sad note though we lost our battle to keep Odds on Foxy alive. She had been very poorly for a fair while now and took a further turn for the worse over the last couple of days and I made the decision it was kinder to put her to sleep. Everyone at the kennels loved Foxy to bits and she will be really missed. She had a lovely personality and fought her illness with everything she had. She was only just over two years of age. I must say though that her owners were top class to train for and Foxy's well being was their only ever concern.

Week ending 30th August 2009

Monday 24th
A good start to what would end up being a poor week. Cheeseboard completed a hat trick of wins when scoring in her A2. She won in a personal best 29.40 and has been running out of her skin lately. Stanton Torres won his A3 today by just over 5 lengths in 29.74. Stanton Sarah finished 2nd in this race and is just starting to hit a bit of form again.
Tuesday 25th
A busy trial session with 15 dogs going today. Easy Eight returned with a 29.42 trial after seasonal break. Stanton Polly (29.73), Gutsy Girl (29.76), Enchanted Cashel (29.35) , Princess Ziggy (29.71), Trade Paco (29.63), Dance Izzy (30.24), Honda Lady (30.38) all went well in their four bend workouts.
Clonark Brett returned to the track after a 6 week rest to record 16.87, Queen Merykara (16.78) and novice pup, Chavy Granny (17.84) all had sprints.
Special mention of unraced pup, Superstar Lilly, who had her first ever four bend trial today. She won by nearly 10 lengths in 29.56. This was a fantastic run by a novice and she is certainly one for the note book.
Wednesday 26th
Tonight belonged to veteran Full Bloom. He was having the final race of his career tonight and must have read the script. He won his 509m Open Race in 30.54 to sign out with a win. Although he only had a handful of races for us, he had been a terrific dog for his owners throughout his career. He is off to stand at stud and hopefully will get the chance of a few decent bitches. It would be nice to train a 'baby Buster' in the future.
Thursday 27th
We had planned to run Redstone Turk and Parnell Lee in races at Hove tonight. However, the M25 had other plans for us!! After getting to within a junction and a half of our turning, the M25 was shut due to an accident. We then travelled just 1.2 miles in the next 5 hours. I never thought I would walk a dog along the M25 but that's just what we did! We left our kennels at 2.30pm and returned at 11.30pm without getting anywhere near a track. We did have a very nice KFC on the way home though and the dogs certainly appreciated it! A night to forget though. Turk will be kept ticking over at home before running at Hove next Thursday... well with a bit of luck anyway!
Friday 28th
Not the best of days today with no winners. Stanton Sarah ran well again though to finish 2nd in her A3. She recorded 29.50 and will go close to winning next time if given a chance. You would expect that after no wins in her last 13 races she would be due a down grade but I wont be holding my breath!
Princess Ziggy had her first run back after a lay off and ran well to finish 3rd in her A5. She deserves a bit of luck now and it would be nice to see her win her first race.
Saturday 29th
A quiet night with just four runners. Ling ran well in her A2 but the track was very much against her. Dogs had no chance on the inside in the early races due to the loose track surface. In fact, the first six races were won by trap 6.

*August Dog of the Month*

There was only going to be one winner this month. Redstone Turk runs away with the Dog of the Month award. He raced four times in August, winning three. His hat trick at Hove has been fantastic and to do the fastest time of the night on each occasion has been a bit special.

Week ending 23rd August 2009

Monday 17th
A very good start to the week with 2 winners from our 5 runners. Stanton Spaniel continued her excellent recent form by winning her A4 in good style. She quickly hit the front and went on to win by just over 4 lengths in a personal best 29.32. Spaniel used to struggle to stay when she first started racing and was stuck in the lower grades for quite a while. It just shows what a bit of patience and doing the right things can achieve. She'll possibly be upped to A2 after this run. She has done fantastically well for the kennel. Cheeseboard is another who has been flying recently and she won again today in A3. She led from the halfway point and went on record 29.42.
Tuesday 18th
A pleasing trial session with the new Irish recruits going very well. Enchanted Cashel won his trial nicely in 29.57. Youngster, Gutsy Girl, went well to record 29.87.
In sprint trials new pups Honda Lady (17.22) and Dance Izzy (17.40) went well in their first look at Swindon. Stanton Polly returned from injury to clock 16.79.
Wednesday 19th
Although tonight did not provide any winners there were still a few pleasing runs. Strictly Baileys ran another good race to finish 2nd in his A3. Whateverittakes has been running well of late but keeps finding one too good. He was 2nd again, recording a personal best of 29.62. Veteran, Full Bloom, ran his best race for the kennel so far to finish 2nd in his 509m Open. Lady Jaro ran well in her Puppy Open. She led until crowded approaching the last bend and will make in to a nice bitch.
Friday 21st
Ballyphilip Lady got the day off to a good start when dead heating in her A4. She quickly hit the front to score in 29.65. She has now won 3 of her 5 races.
Stanton Jerry probably ran his best race so far when winning in his A2 in 29.06. Parnell Lee was a good 2nd in this race and would have pushed Jerry all the way if getting a clear run around the first turn. Lee looks to be a very nice dog and we were delighted with his run tonight. I'll be surprised if he's not breaking the 29 second barrier before too long. Stanton Leroy can not run a bad race lately and ran with real credit again tonight when finishing 2nd in a good A2. He recorded 29.29.
Saturday 22nd
Tonight we had another trip to Hove with two runners.
Redstone Turk continues to carry all before him in his races around here. He made it a hat trick of Open wins when again winning in the fastest time of the night, 29.76. He was made to work hard for tonight's win as he fell out the boxes and suffered crowding around the first. However he showed terrific back pace to come from 3 lengths down to lead at the third turn and went on to win nicely.
Ballinorig Maeve also ran in this race and ran a blinder. She flew from the boxes and paced up to the bend well but she was crowded out around the first turn but stuck on well to finish 3rd. She recorded a good 30.05. Both will be taken to Hove again on Thursday.

Week ending 16th August 2009

Monday 10th
An incredible start to what would prove to be one of our best ever weeks. Today we had 4 runners at the afternoon meeting and returned with 4 winners! We've never had 4 from 4 before and it will probably be some time before it happens again!

Stanton Spaniel started the roll off when leading all the way in her A5. She recorded a personal best of 29.55 and has not been out of the first 3 in her last 11 races.

Ling continued her excellent form to lead all the way in her A2. She also recorded a personal best of 29.38 and has won 5 of her 13 races to date.

Stanton Leroy has been in the form of his life recently and scored another A2 win. He quickly hit the front to win in 29.41. He has already won 9 races this year and is a lot of fun to train.

Stanton Jerry completed the four timer when winning his A2 in 29.44

Tuesday 11th

A busier trial session this week with 10 dogs going through their paces.

Lady Jaro had her first four bend trial since returning from injury and went well to record 29.57.

Also returning from injury were Stanton Torres (29.88, Stanton Ollie (29.93) and Tullovin Blossom (30.64). Parnell Lee (29.63) and Lisnakil Xpress (30.04) completed their qualifying trials today.

3 of our recent Irish in-takes had their first look at Swindon today in solo sprints. Trade Paco (17.21), Gutsy Girl (17.10) and Enchanted Cashel (16.81) all delighted us with their runs.

Wednesday 12th

Another fantastic night with 3 winners from our 5 runners. Twiglish Whitty, having only her fourth start, won another A5. She hit the front off the last bend and stayed on strongly to record a personal best of 29.47. Realt Gael also continued her good form to win her A3 in 29.58. She really battled for this one on a track that was not really to her liking. Cheeseboard completed the three timer with another gutsy performance. She won her A3 in 29.61.

Thursday 13th

Tonight we had another trip to Hove and it's really proving to be a happy hunting ground!

Redstone Turk followed up on last week's Open Race victory with an impressive trap-to-line win. Turk fairly flew from the boxes and didn't give the opposition a look in as he went on to record the fastest time of the night again in 29.58. Turk will be kept to Hove for another race or two before being aimed at a competition or two.

Ballinorig Maeve was also given an Open Race this evening and was desperately unlucky not to win. She was badly crowded on at least 3 occasions in her race yet still finished a good second. She'll be given another chance at Hove.

Friday 14th

Another terrific day with 4 winners. Hell Razor ran a superb race to win his A5 in 29.77. The track was in very poor condition after being dug up the day before which makes Razor's run all the more pleasing as he loves top-of-the-ground. He is a real battler and gave everything to hold on. Strictly Baileys continued his excellent form since returning from injury. Simba led off the second bend and scored comfortably in his A4 in a personal best 29.56. He's now won 3 of his 4 races since he came back.

Stanton Tom hit top form tonight after his return from a broken bone above his hock. He flew from the boxes and won his A2 in good style in a personal best 29.11. There's still a tad more left in the tank with this fellow and we're hoping he'll make the top grade soon.

Parnell Lee completed the night in style. He won his first race for us by 8 and a 1/2 lengths in 29.37. Lee quickly hit the front turning in to the first bend and left a fair amount of trouble behind him, but I think it would of made little difference to result. Lee is no where near the finished article yet and is another that we're hoping will make it to A1. He'll need to improve his trapping somewhat if he's to compete in the top grades but it's very early days with him yet.

On a disappointing note, Twiglish Nick broke his hock in his very first race tonight and faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines. He is currently strapped up and on painkillers but he doesn't seem to have noticed his injury as he still insists on acting like a bull in a china shop!

Saturday 15th

Our only meeting without a winner tonight. We had 4 runners. Stanton Buddy ran well enough in his A1 but is not being given favourable make-ups of late and will be given a chance on the Open scene soon.

Week ending 9th August 2009

Monday 3rd

A good start to what would end up being a poor week overall. 2 winners from our 4 runners today. Whateverittakes just got up on the line to win his A5 in 30.18. Stanton Leroy flew from the traps to lead all the way in his A2 to record a personal best of 29.32.

Tuesday 4th

A very quiet trial session by our standards with just four dogs going through their paces. Parnell Lee had his first four bend trial in 4 months and went well to record 29.77. Lady Jaro won her sprint trial by nearly 2 lengths from Kylies Magic in 16.78. Lady will now be stepped up to four bends next week. Unraced novice, Superstar Lilly moved well in her first ever trial when posting 17.02.

I would expect a much busier trial session next week with a few of our new Irish recruits set to start qualifying and the return of several race dogs from injury.

Wednesday 5th

No luck tonight from our 5 runners. Stanton Jerry came closest to winning when finishing second in his A2.

Thursday 6th

Tonight we had a ride down to Brighton with Redstone Turk and Full Bloom to compete in a couple of Open Races. Turk won his 515m Maiden race in some style. He was slowly in to stride but showed very good pace to the bend to go round second. He quickly collared the leader off the second bend and went clear. He stayed on very well to win by nearly 6 length's in a fastest-of-the-night 29.86. This was some run first time round and he'll be heading back down there next week. Full Bloom had an horrendous trap draw in 5 and suffered bad crowding on the first bend. He returned safe and sound though and will be heading to Swindon on Wednesday for an Open.

Friday 7th

Lots of seconds and thirds today but unfortunately no winners. Ah Sure Cool, Realt Gael and Whateverittakes all ran with credit to finish 2nd.

Serene Lark has run his last race for the kennel after finishing lame at the evening meeting. He has had many injuries in his time including two cracked hocks and has done extremely well to reach A3. He'll be heading home with his owners for a life of luxury.

Saturday 8th

Again no luck tonight. Stanton Sarah finished 2nd in her A3 and Stanton Denis ran well in his first race for 3 weeks to finish 3rd in his A2.