Retired Robbie

Over the last twelve months the welfare of the dogs has become of an issue to me. We have always turned over stone possible to find the best home possible for all our dogs in retirement. As well as my own I’ve also managed to home a number of others from Martins kennels through writing small articles and taking some nice photos of the dogs. The local paper has always been supportive in publishing the articles which helps greatly as soon as the article/photo appears the phone does always ring. Sadly the last time I tried the article did not appear despite my previous notes of gratitude.

I would love a dog at home but my eldest sons continues to struggle with his asthma and despite times where it looks to be getting better he can’t walk the dogs for very long on a Sunday before he starts to wheeze. Hence it’s difficult to ask other people to take a dog when you don’t have one yourself.

Me and Pleaty visited our old super star Comical “Robbie” Raffles before Christmas. He suffered a terrible muscle injury in October whilst on holiday. If it was not for the efforts of his owners the dog would have surely lost his life. Whilst the injury is still not great he can now walk for about 10 minutes twice a day. The injury still has to dressed three times per week even after this length of time of recovery.

He is still very much himself and recognised us before the door was even open.

We stayed for about an hour before leaving him and his loyal owners a Christmas present to help with the dogs morale and their own expenses with the dog.

Racing Update

Faraday came off with a slight sand burn from her run at Coventry and will now be heading to Nottingham for the Futurity Puppy Cup Trial Stakes in the New Year.

Avenue Guide was second yesterday whilst Lisa's Invader has been withdrawn tonight as he has picked up a slight knock.

Pups on Xmas Day

Paul kindly sent myself and Dave a few snaps of Belle growing litter. They are now 10 weeks old and Paul reports they are all thriving. It looks like it will be difficult to pick just one out!!The two dogs have been provisionally named Arthur and Socks. I best get that flight booked ASAP.

YPOM Xmas Holiday

YPOM continues to enjoy her seasonal break out with Paul at Drumscraw Kennels in Nothern Ireland.

She is pictured here among Pauls other future stars.

She will be hopefully heading home in the second week of January. Many thanks Paul for all your help.

Friday Action

All the early pace to burn in the world but sadly no timing tonight on her debut at Covenrt tonight. She showed great pace and courage but after missing the kick had a bump on the corner before showing some tidy pace down the back straight.

She will benefit from the run and experience. Roll on next time.

Fun Friday

I made a mistake over Faradays debut, its actually Friday at Coventry, 3 days away!

The runners are as follows :-
Trap 1 - Romeo Abramovich Trap 2 - Faraday Trap 3 - Icemaid Lilley Trap 4 - Mere Myriad Trap 5 - Great Event Trap 6 - Gemtastic Jolie

Lets hope she can come away like we know she can and see whether thay can catch her. The main objective is to get some experience in to her and hope she comes off sound. Kennel mate Lilley must start favourite.

Sunday Morning

As I have said before you can't beat a brisk walk on a weekend morning with the dogs. On Saturday I did about 3 miles with Faraday at Lances and on Sunday we all went to Martins to walk our old friends Prince (Lisa's Invader) and Sammy ( Avenue Guide). Following last Mondays win the Prince will trial back over 6 bends tomorrow.

Eight Days and Counting

Faraday is making great progress under the care of Pam and Lance Burford. She looks in peak condition and was simply bouncing this morning then I took her for out for about 3 miles around Bratch Locks.

All her paper work and trials have now been completed.

She will make her debut in a small competition at Coventry on the 23rd December. We are still unsure what will be her exact trip at this stage so its a case of keeping our fingers crossed.

What we are sure about is her early pace, whilst she doesn't hit the boxes her early pace is exceptional. Only one dog are recorded a quicker split at Coventry this year.......................Barnfield on Air. Can't Wait...............................

Closing in on Record

Lisa's Invader (The Prince) landed his 11th career win on Monday at Monmore and has now only 2 wins from equalling Comical Raffles record of 13.

The Prince may have a limitation of ability but he has given both me and Ray and great deal of fun.

When the time is right I'll be hopefully bringing him home.

We are all up at kennels in the morning where no dobt he will be waiting for the kids to give him his favourite chocolate buttons.

Homeward Bound

YPOM left Martin kennels yesterday afternoon in the back of my car as I drove her to meet the transporter. As there was no transporter going back to Kerry she has gone to Northern Ireland to spend a couple of weeks with Paul McCusker.

Paul called this morning to report she has arrived in great shame.

She will do the final part of her journey home on 7th or 8th January.

Busy Monday

YPOM (A6 5.44pm) and Avenue Guide (A5 4.48pm) both looks to have chances on Mondays advanced card at Monmore.

YPOM trialed over 6 bends on Tuesday and recorded a very average 39.58. Might get us in S5. The going on the track was very heavy so we must give her another chance.

Both races will be shown in all betting shops.

Faraday Flies

Faraday recorded an impressive 30.18 (Lances target was 30.20)first time over 4 bends at Coventry on Wednesday. The time does not tell the only story. The bitch that beat her is a consistent A1 type in Shelbourne, nicely bred, and has a Rapid 21.40 in Dundalk so it puts our ladies early pace at the top table.

Her split time was an amazing 5.36!! Check the regular split time and you will see how much that stands out.

Hopefully we will see her see the trip out next week with a bit more experience behind her and after all she is still only learning her trade. This will hopefully be her final trial before we can pick out a target for her.

Week Ahead

Flynn and I went up to Martin's to walk the gang this morning. This week will hopefully see the Prince(Lisa's Invader) and YPOM have trials of different distances. We will then hopefully have three on the card at Monmore.

Martins dogs are running well at the moment and last night saw Conspiracy Kid win the Branston 480 Puppy Open in the track. Proud Ronaldinho then followed up in the Shifnal 630 Open. With Brooklyn Bridge returning to action this week should see plenty of good winners coming through his kennels.

Faraday Flies

Faraday won her mixed trial this evening winning in 17.48 at Coventry. She will now be stepped up to four bends next week.

Looking promising!!!

Pirate Reaches Final

ZigZag Pirate was just beaten in the Final of the Local Coursing Stake in Lixnaw. A great achievement by his trainer Batty "Sava" Heaphy who had some real problems like everyone else with this nervous dog.

YPOM Promise

YPOM finished third on Monday and stayed on very well to be beaten by just over one length. She will now trial over bends next Tuesday.

Make Your Mind Up

Its moving towards make your mind time up with Belle's pups in Northern Ireland. Three of the five really stand out. Both myself and Dave will do well to pick just one out.

YPOM Latest

YPOM is reported in good order following her run on Thursday night. She started very poorly again and despite running a very strong back straight was cut off when looking like she could trouble the dogs ahead of her.

She reappears in the same grade again tomorrow at 2.08pm, this time in Trap 2. Trap 2 should help her for sure but until she starts to come after from the taps better I was will only having a small interest on her.

After the run tomorrow Martin has indicated her being stepped up to 6 bends.

Pirate Flying

ZagZag Pirate is currently under the care of Batty "Sava" Heaphy in County Kerry.

After taking a time to settle he has been working well for Batty entered him for the Local Coursing Stake. In the first round he drew Mark Ryalls coursing bitch. This is like Portsmouth playing Saints!!

No worries about losing............Batty had the Pirate in A1 condition and he ran away to win by 5 lengths!!!!!!!

Barmy News

Gone Barmy was sunk in the first course of the day at Castleisland. Very frusrtrating considering he has been beating Trial Stakes winners at home on the gallop. He looks to have a couple of niggles following a trip to Galway to see the Vet. Hopefully we can get him fit for another outing.

News Round Up

Faraday clocked 17.68 in her first sprint at Coventry. It was the first time she has ever trialed in a muzzle and jacket. Lance seemed pretty pleased. Roll on next week.

YPOM has her second race at Monmore tomorrow.

Growing Pups

Belles pups are now marching on for 3 weeks and Paul reports he couldn't be happier with their progress to date. They have gained weight at a great pace and it would be very hard to choose between them at this stage, although he has a very soft spot for one of the two blue bitches who will definitely be staying with him. Their eyes are now open and should start to become a real handful.

Faraday Settled

Lance has reported Faraday has settled in very well to the kennel and has now had three promising gallops so will head to Coventry on Tuesday for a sprint trial and be marked up.

Going Barmy

Gone Barmy makes his debut in a very hot looking Derby Trial Stake at Castleisland in County Kerry this weekend.

He has been doing everything right at home but that counts for nothing when you are at the bottom of the field in slips.

The dog was reared to prefection by Paddy and is now in the hands of one Ireland leading coursing trainers, Dan Brassil . The dog could not have been prepared any better.

Come on Barmy!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Promising Debut

YPOM ran a very promising third on her Monmore debut. She missed the early kick big time and really did not start on run until she got to the last bend. She stayed on very, very strong and was leading by a long way at the pick up.

YPOM Debut

Yourplaceormine will make her debut in A6 tomorrow night. She has been given Trap 1. At this stage we have no idea of whether that would suit or not.

Prince Returns

Lisa's Invader (Prince) returned to the track for the trial yesterday after recovering from a broken toe. He recorded a very reasonable 15.77 whilst Avenue Guide recorded 15.73.

Faraday Impresses

Myself and the lads had a wonderful morning at Lance and Pam Burfords Kennels in the October sunshine. Below are a series of pictures taken of latest recruit Faraday (Patch) having a work out in one of the paddocks.

It was great to see Iceman Brutus win his St Ledger Quarter Final at Wimbledon on Friday night. If he avoids any early trouble he could reach a Category One over 4 and 6 bends in the same year!!

Final Trial

All systems are go!!

YPOM had her last trial today at Monmore. She recorded 29.68(-30) and finished behind Martins fastest pup. Ant called me from the track to tell me the news and she was a mile clear at the pick up!! Also he thought the going was more like 50 slow.

Fingers crossed she will make her debut next week, possibly Thursday.

Eagle has Landed

Faraday travelled like a dream after I picked her up from the transporter. She appeared to take everything in her stride and I left her crashed out on her new bed.

Lance and Pam took an instant liking to her so we are off and running.

Very pleased!!

Faraday Joins the Team

I'm please to announce I have agreed terms with Paul McCusker of Drumscraw Kennels for the lease of his promising bitch pup Faraday.

Farday (Premier Fantasy x Maureens Angel) is 20 months old and unraced. He has recorded three very promising trials at Lifford so she will take ZigZag Pirates places at the kennels of Lance and Pam Burford.

Why the Name Faraday ? Paul informs me he was a bit of a school swot and he studied Michael Faraday, who was an English chemist and physicist who contributed to the fields of electromagnetism and electrochemistry.

Fingers crossed I will collect her tomorrow before taking her across to the Icemans Kennels in Wombourne. She will get all the attention she needs with Lance and the endless high class facilities to her every chance of succeeding on the track.

Henry Moving On

Positive Outlook (Henry) has run his last for the Global Greyhounds Syndicate. He has served the syndicate very well winning at both Monmore and Swindon. His trainer at Swindon Kevin Hutton has done a top class job and I wouldn't hesitate to send more dogs his way if he was just a bit closer to home.

Thanks to Dave for doing all the organising amd good luck to Tom and his new connections.

Monmore Latest

Avenue Guide was 3rd in A4 grade last night. He led again like he does so often. Its a shame they don't still have sprint races at Monmore as I feel they would really suit him. He is still leading some very decent dogs now.

Yourplaceormine has now settled very well. She really enjoyed this morning's walk. Presuming the paper works comes back he can have her final trial on Tuesday.

Martin's kennels are situated on Corley Moor near the edge of Coventry. The lanes are very quiet and I do enjoy a quiet hour on Sunday with the youngest takes the dogs a good walk. I do think its great for the dogs and keeps them fresh.

Amarillo Puppy Latest

I have posted the picture of Belle's litter six days old. Paul informs me they are all pleasing him at this stage and mum is doing very well.

It will be interested how Paul prices up the litter as the pedigree and family couldn't be better.

Belles mother threw Cleenas Lady won the Oaks, two Select Stakes and also reached a Derby Final.

Her commrades include Line of Fire who broke the track record at Lifford only last Sunday and Handy Princes who won the 2007 Tyrur Ted Champion Bitch 550.

Flying in Paddocks

Please find below the latest Video of ZigZag Wookie(Chewie) taken this morning. Kath at the kennels thinks he is lightning.

Everyone who visits the kennels wants to buy him. So much in fact she said she was going to move him out the way to avoid disappointment from the buyers. I told her every dog has a price and we would be open to offers.

As you can see he have developed well.

Flying in Paddocks

Tuesday Trial News

Yourplaceormine recorded 29.30 on normal going finishing 2nd behind an A3 irish import. Her sectional was 4.40 which stood up very well against the better dogs trialing.

She will hopefully now only need one more trial before she can start to race (registration pending)