All the latest from Crayford Greyhound Track
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Last Friday night’s meeting
featured three trial stakes races for this year’s Ladbroke Golden
Jacket which is the top annual race staged at the
stadium.
The purpose of these particular
races is to evaluate whether the participants have the necessary
high quality to gain entry into the main event which starts with
the six heats here on Saturday, February 4.
As usual, the Racing Office will
be looking to give entry to the top 36 greyhounds from around the
country to fill the heat places. The competition is run over 714
metres with the winner receiving £15,000.
The semi-finals will be on
Saturday, February 11, followed by the final a week later on
Saturday, February 18, also on the morning card.
If you are looking for a time
guide, last year’s winner Bush Paddy romped home in a time of 45.79
seconds. The event was won in 2010 by Group Skater in
45.19.
So with this fact in mind
Crayford trainer Julie Luckhurst will have been delighted with the
time of 45.75 registered by her dog U Make Me Smile in his trial
race last weekend.
The dog ran in last year’s
competition when he performed at a similar level when finishing
second in the heats round to top class stayer Lottes Girl. On that
occasion he finished in a time of 45.98. He was subsequently
eliminated in the semis when finishing sixth behind ultimate winner
Group Skater.
The other two trail races went
to Honeypound Joe (46.42) and Bold Misty (46.30). There are further
trials this Saturday evening so I will update you on there outcome
next week.
The Racing Office have advised
me that many of the top stayers have already been entered for a run
on our weekly trials day over the distance and these include Lottes
Girl, Farley Zach, Portavoe Lass, Bush Whitney and Bubbly
Blues.
There is usually plenty of
gossip around at this time of year which is all part of the build
up and I can advise you that many of the top trainers are expected
to have entries for the Jacket these will include Mark Wallis and
Paul Young among others.
The picture will be come much
clearer once the 36 starters are announced so watch this column
which will be first for all the latest news. Catch this weekend’s
trial races on Saturday evening on Sky Channel 231 or Freesat
402.
Thursday, January 26 2012
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