Week Ending 14th October

Monday 8th
Another busy day for us with a trial session at Oxford, a BAGS meeting at Swindon and the Produce Stakes final at Nottingham.
Kilmalady Biffo took his chance in the re run of the void race from Saturday night and qualified for the final when finishing 2nd. Biffo had every chance but we were pleased to get him through after just one rest day from Saturday.
3 winners from our 10 runners at Swindon today. Irdu Gormlaith won her A8 by 2 3/4 lengths in 29.91. Fishersmans Leah continued her excellent form with another A2 win. She won today by 1 1/4 lengths in 28.99. Keeperhill Hawk pinged the lids and led all the way in his A4 to win by 2 1/4 lengths in 29.28.
On to Nottingham this evening where Gemstone Jack was contesting the final of the £15,000 Produce Stakes. Jack had done fantastically well to make the decider but went off a big price at 16/1. Although we finished 5th, we were only beaten around 3 lengths by a very good winner in Romeo Recruit. Jack took a touch at the first and was slightly held up going into the third bend when making his challenge but he ran on well and did us proud. Jack will now be stepped up in trip and we're really looking forward to seeing him over 6 bends. He could make a very useful stayer and will be a lovely dog next year.
Tuesday 9th
A fairly quiet trial session with just 6 dogs going through their paces. Motor Home (29.50) and Moody Mare (29.42) both returned to the graded strength while Boynepark Joe (29.27) was given a blow out after not being used for 3 weeks by Swindon. This lad is desperate for some racing but always seems to get left on the sidelines.
We gave sprint trials to 3 very nice new recruits and all of them delighted us with their efforts. Brothers, Swords Messi (16.22) and Swords Brett (16.24) both ran the track nicely in their solo workouts. Jolly Bullseye arrived in the kennels a couple of months ago and was given plenty of time to settle in before we did too much with him. He'd been galloping at home and had looked a bit special to say the least, so it was no surprise when he recorded a flying 16.06 in his first look at Swindon. Bullseye has some very decent Irish form and will probably be given a four bend trial next week.
Wednesday 10th
Just the one winner from our 6 runners tonight. Active Lark made it 3 wins from her last 7 races as she came from off the pace to win her A2 by 1 length in 29.15.
A busy day on the gallop with 24 dogs being given a blowout including a few bitches that are due back from season in the next week or two.
Friday 12th
4 winners from today's Swindon meeting's.
Winetavern Tadgh got a gutsy win in his a2 as he got up on the line to win in 29.15.
Witcombe Lady flew the lids (2.36 sectional) and led all the way to win her A5 by 3 3/4 lengths in 29.33. Ring The Alarm got her first win since returning from season as she led all the way in her A3 to win by 1/2 a length in 29.03. Taranis Rex won a very decent A1 contest by a neck in a fastest of the night 28.48. Rex didn't break too well again but showed good early and battled really well to hold on at the line. He's likely to head to Belle Vue for a trial next.
Saturday 13th
We'll start at Monmore where we had Ding Hero and Pony Bride running. Ding was stepped up in trip to the 630m and handled himself well and was in contention until getting crowded on the 5th bend. He'll return next week for a 2 round competition. Pony Bride was also stepped up in trip to the 835m and ran well to finish 2nd. It was a tough race and she suffered crowding on the opening turn so this wasn't a bad effort at all. She'll probably be kept to the marathon trip now.
On to Swindon where we got 1 winner from our 7 runners but we did have a couple beaten in photo finishes. Off The Radar led all the way to beat kennel mate Riverdale Spiros by 2 1/4 lengths in 28.87. Radar has done really well since joining the kennel and hopefully he can stay sound for some consistent racing now. Gemstone Billy and Stanton Apollo both ran very well in defeat and shouldn't be long in winning again. Forest Mollie went off odds-on for her 509m maiden open but her race was over very quickly as the 1 dog moved out and the 3 dog moved in and put us out of the race early on.
We had a fantastic night over at Oxford with 3 winners, Inishmore Impact, Barnish Booth and Slippery Patch all did the business. Inishmore Impact was having his first look at the track but he made his task easier with a fast break and he led all the way to win in a good 27.16. Barnish Booth again proved his liking for the Cowley track as he pinged the lids and won a good quality race in 27.06. Slippery Patch won his heat of the Cesarewitch as he pinged the lids and got himself into a long lead before tiring coming home but he just held on to win in the fastest time of the night. Patch will improve for the run and will get stronger so we're hopeful of going well in the final next week. Hiding Escort and Five Alley Pub both ran their hearts out for us in their heats but were a tad unlucky and both finished 3rd.
Glenbane Air and Kilmalady Biffo were both in the final of the Oxfordshire Trophy but both got the start all wrong and our race was over very quickly. They will both head back next week for the Gold Cup.
We've saved the best till last though as Crinkill Jewel won the Kent St Leger final this evening at Crayford. Crink's had won her semi final last week and went in to the final as third favourite. She broke OK but took a good nudge on the bend and entered the back straight for the first time in 4th place but she stayed in contention and picked the front runners off and led on the run in to win by just over a length. It's our first category 2 success and a big achievement to get the first good competition win under our belts. Crink's will head to Monmore next week for the TV Trophy heats.