Week ending 29th November 2009

Monday 23rd
A poor start to what would end up being a very lean week on the graded front.
Luck deserted us today as any of our runners that had a chance were soon put out their races by trouble at the bend. A day to forget but thankfully the dogs all returned safe.
Tuesday 24th
A trip to Hall Green tonight with Bluebell and Trade Paco.
Bluebell ran another cracking race to finish 2nd in her sprint Open to the top class Officer Donagh. She is running out of skin at the moment but has been very unlucky to keep meeting some top class dogs.
Trade Paco finished last in his 645m Open after being forced to check around the first bend. In truth though the track did not suit Paco and he'd be very doubtful to return there.
Wednesday 25th
Our best night of the week with our graded runners with 2 winners from 4 runners.
Puppy, Gutsy Girl, won A2 grade at the first time of asking when scoring in 29.53. 'Guts' is not the bravest at the kennels and hates being around anyone new but she is as brave as a lion on the track and has done fantastically well to improve through the grades.
Calling Light returned to top form when leading all the way in her A2. She was never in danger of being beaten and recorded a personal best of 29.17.
Thursday 26th
Tonight we took a trip to Hove and what a night we had!
Superstar Lily flew the boxes in her 695m Open and led from the first bend. Megan seems to love the banked bends at Hove and went 8 lengths clear of her field before tiring a little on the run in to win by almost 4 lengths. This was only Megan's 2nd ever stayers race and at only just 2 years of age is sure to keep improving. Her winning time of 41.35 is among the quickest runs of the year around there and is a hugely exciting prospect for next year. We wont be over doing things with Megan and she'll probably only have a few more runs before being put away for the winter.
Bluebell again finished as bridesmaid in her sprint open. This time she was beaten around a length to the very useful Ballymac Pines of Matt Dartnell. She did not trap in her best fashion but showed superb early before being crowded out around the first. She made around a length and a half up on the winner from the second bend and will surely win a sprint Open when Lady Luck shines on her. She is running very well though and is giving us a great deal of fun.
Both Megan and Bluebell will be heading back to Hove a week Saturday all being well.
Friday 27th
Although we did not manage any winners today there were a few very good performances.
Forest Jessie ran another blinder today. After getting stopped at the first and the third bends she did not give up and chased a decent winner down to around a length. She still recorded 29.33 after all the traffic problems and as she is not 2 until January she looks a lovely prospect. Jessie will hopefully be given a trial around Hove a week Saturday, the stiff 515m will be ideal for her.
Trade Paco, although beaten tonight, probably ran his best ever race for us. Paco was almost put on the floor at the first bend and was at least 8 lengths adrift of the leader out the second bend. But he showed terrific back pace and stayed very strongly to only be beaten just over 2 lengths to the fastest time of the night, 28.95. For Paco to record 29.23 after the trouble he got was a great run for a puppy. He wont be over raced as he looks like a really nice prospect for next year.
Others to finish 2nd in their races were Danielles Leah (29.34) and Calling Beauty (29.43). Beauty is very young still and has done very well to make A2 already. She'll be another nice sort for next year.
Twiglish Whitty took a nasty tumble at the third bend in her race but luckily is none the worse for it.
Saturday 28th
A horrible wet and windy night at Swindon where it was very difficult to win on the inside. Unfortunately we had all rails and middle runners which did not help our chances.
Loyal Fantasy stayed strongly to finish 2nd in her A6. Mutter To Razor ran a stormer to finish 3rd in her A5 after trouble at the first bend. Mutts stayed on really well and will make a nice 6 bender for next year.