Week Ending 17th July 2011

Monday 11th
A good start to the week with 3 winners from our 10 runners.
I Certainly May got the ball rolling with a gutsy display to lead on the run in to win her A4 in 29.61. Stanton Jerry continued his excellent form to win a good A2 in 29.01. Slaneyside Neasa led all the way in her A5 to win in a decent 29.47. Neasa has had a couple of minor niggles and went slightly off form after making a promising start to her career but should continue to improve again now.
Wednesday 13th
2 winners from our 7 runners this evening. Baby Bubba just made it around the bend unscathed and flew down the back to go 5 lengths clear, he tired coming home but the line just came in time and he held on to win his A3 in a good 29.37. This lad has plenty of maturing and strengthening up to do yet and will make into a nice dog in time.
Stanton Sarah made it 2 wins on the trot as she led on the run in to win her A6 in 30.01.
Black Handbag is worthy of note this evening. Gucci has behaved herself very well after an early indiscretion in her 2nd race . She got plenty of crowding on the bend this evening but fairly flew down the back straight and was desperately unlucky not to get a run going into the third bend. If she would of got clear I think she would have won nicely. She seems to of been forgotten about somewhat of late but this girl retains loads of ability and I believe she'll be flying in another month or so.
We took a nice new recruit into the kennels today with the arrival of Droopys Edgar from Oxford. Edgar has won a few opens in the past and has some flying Swindon runs in his book already. Although he's now approaching 3 1/2 years old he still retains plenty of ability as his recent top heat Oxford win proves. Hopefully Edgar and his owner William will have plenty of luck with us.
Thursday 14th
A busy day at the kennels as our physio arrived to check over around 20 of our dogs. Unfortunately we received far more bad news than good! Bookies Girls has a ruptured hip and faces around 3 months on the sidelines. Precious Hawk, Calling Beauty and Lady Jaro are all facing time in the treatment room.
Friday 15th
Just the 2 winners from today's meetings. Sparkem Out got up on the line to beat kennel mate Moving Merry in their A2. She ran her usual game race and led a mile at the pick up. She won in 29.28. Butchers Bounty trapped well and led every step of the way to win his A2 in 29.34.
Saturday 16th
Mercurial Star delighted us with his pre race trial when beating Droopys Edgar by nearly 9 lengths in 28.73. Sammy would have needed that run and some time 'on the bunny' would have done his confidence the world of good after a couple of rough rides of late. He'll be entered for the 480m open on Produce finals night. We were slightly disappointed with Edgars trial but in hindsight he would have needed that run badly after doing little work of late, he'll improve nicely with that run under the belt.
Although we didn't have any winners this evening there were plenty of very pleasing runs. Puppy, Come Home Patch made his racing debut in A8 and went very well. Patch took a knock on the first bend but battled really well to stick on for 3rd. This fella is a strapping 37.5k son of Westmead Hawk and will improve a bundle for this run. He won't be long in winning this fella.
Forest Ted continued his excellent run of form when a gallant runner up to the terrific looking prospect Farloe Iceman in the A1. Ted who had previously won his last 3 A1 races on the trot will be aimed at a 509m open on Produce night.

Spotlight on..... Stanton Jerry

A new idea for the blog page is a 'Spotlight' section.

The first week focuses on kennel legend Stanton Jerry.

After being purchased from Thurles sales for around 500 Euros, Jerry didn't exactly look like much of a legend as he completed his first 480m Swindon trial for us in 31.04! Thankfully Jerry improved nicely in his next 2 trials and went on to make his debut in A2. It took him 3 attempts to make his mark and he won in 29.19. Jerry would soon prove himself to be a win machine and went on to win no end of A2's and a few A1's as well. We decided to take the plunge and enter him for a maiden open at Hall Green and to be honest he was only ever entered to be a travelling partner for Superstar Lily. As it turned out Lily's stayers race never filled and we ended up making the journey with just Jerry. However it turned out to be a terrific night as Jerry went on to win his open by 8 1/2 lengths!! He did a "jerry special' at the first as he put the shoulder in to the field at the bend and scooted clear. It was a brilliant night and we decided to leave Jerry with a 100% open race record. Just 3 races after the Hall Green run disaster struck at Swindon as he ruptured his gracillis muscle and a return to racing looked very unlikely. We persevered though and gave him all the time and treatment he needed and he made a great return to racing winning another 8 races since his 3 month break.

So far Jerry has won 26 of his 81 races and looks likely to return to A1 after winning his latest A2 in 29.01. A remarkable effort from this gentle giant who is the ultimate professional.