Avenue 50 Up

Avenue Guide brought up his 50th race at Monmore in style yesterday when winning in 29.29. Of all dogs running yesterday we fancied him to lead a mile and he duly did. This was his 9th win at Monmore and 10th career win.

Unbelievable..............

At the age of 3 years and 3 months Lisa's Invader won tonight in the highest grade he has ever ran in and smashed the £3,500 prizemoney barrier. Against proven good quality dogs including two with Open form he ran the race of his life winning in 38.77. Breaking out level with his nemesis Elderberry Nemo they stole a lead together, Nemo poached a length lead round the first two bends. Passing the winning post first time around they were probably four clear. The battle continued down the back straight toe to toe. In to the third bend the Prince rallied to move upsides poised to deliver his run for home. Surely not we thought." Go on the Prince" we roared as he passed Nemo and stayed on to win The Bank's Bitter Stakes by one length.

As the Silver Fox (with pint class in hand) walked to the winners rostrum for the second week running I tried to call the co–owner Ray Allen. However connection was not possible as he was out or range in Kerry. It has been reported he was collecting again from all the bookies in County Kerry whom he had placed 20 bets @ £20.00 at SP odds (7/2 i). Paid 7’s on the Tote!!

Payments & Night Out

Many thanks to all the syndicate members who paid me so promptly. The money was paid in to the bank today and I'll send a cheque out to Paul in Northern Ireland.

The next payment will be due on the 25th July.

I'm going to start arranging the annual social meal at Monmore. Normal deal, 3 courses, top seats, good chin wag, owners discounts, plenty of winners and the Silver Fox is also offering to produce his own Foxyform for us to help mark our cards. You are welcome to bring and friends or family all we ask if they mix well and get the drinks in. The possible dates are 20th September,27th September, 4th October or 11th October. Please drop me a mail with how many seats you are interested in booking and your prefered date. I'll go with the majority.

Hello...my name is ........................

The below note was kindly forwarded by Ray (Syndicate member) who was certainly thinking outside the box when I discussed we need to sell the final share.

Hello

My name is Jameson. I was born in Kerry on 01/10/2007 and currently live in P McCluskers kennel in Northern Ireland.

I have been split up into 10 parts 9 of which have been sold so 1 part remains.

My new owners are really cool they even got their own blog. I was well pleased to get my picture on it this week when Mr Duggan visited me.

To let you know about my Pedigree. My daddy Yeah Man was a really good dog won lots of opens in Shelbourne when trained by top trainer Owen McKenna. My mom was an expensive purchase as a pup and had the illustrious “Deerfield” prefix in her name; she was retired young to the breeding paddocks thru injury. She has a really good dam line with my grandmother Malbay Swift throwing some very fast dogs TR holders included.

Unfortunately my Daddy died this week at a very young age after an illness so there is only a handful of us on the ground to make a name for him, understandably I am very sad.

When I grow older I will be moving to the UK to Lance “Iceman” Burford’s or Mr Burts kennels. Lance and Martin are top geezers who has trained some nice dogs from limited numbers over the last few years. Lance had 3 Cat 1 winners last year.

I have been in Northern Ireland for the past month and will be staying here till after Christmas when I will go to school and get ready for racing. Then I will get in Aidan McAllister’s big van and get driven to UK. My 9 owners will be able to see me on Sundays and take me for walks along the canals. It is really important you bring Milky Stars with you if you come to visit. It is really important you bring Milky Stars with you if you come to visit.

Where I live now is well cool I get the best of care. The kennels are good but I’m well hard and prefer to sleep outside. I have big boots to fill the current owners have top dog Lisa’s Invader at Monmore. Whose motto is out and gone………….when he passes the line in front everyone shouts Oi Oi I’ve been told. Mr Duggan told me he has collected loads and 7/2 is his favourite number but I don’t really understand…………………………………

So basically I need you to buy the 10^th share that’s available. This is a really difficult time for with all that has being going on in my family but I am coping.

For a one off payment and subsequent quarterly payment you could have so much craic watching me race round in front on the Midland tracks(most of the web or bookies)………………..and when I cross the line you can shout Oi Oi and treat yourself to some 7/2……………………………………..Oi Oi

Finding Nemo

This Thursday see's the Prince moved up to S2 again as he bids to break the £3,500 prizemoney barrier. He is currently on £3,422. In the field is his nemesis Eldberberry Nemo!! The pair have clashed 8 times in their career with Nemo coming out on top 6 to 2. I might add the Prince has never been drawn inside him in all 8 contests. I can see the Prince and Nemo both having to play second fiddle to Bourne Caitlin (form recently in A2 + Open races) and Best Take who has plenty of early pace. Come on the Prince !!!

2008 Blue Square Derby Final

I'm already on countdown to next Saturdays Derby Final. My two fancies (One a tip from Paul McCusker) have both reached the final. The Tyrur Kieran EW money is already in the bank as they were paying first six, the question is whether lay back back any of the 40/1 Kryptonite.



The draw for the Final is as follows :-
1 Kryptonite
2 Lenson Express
3 Tyrur Kieran
4 Loyal Honcho (m)
5 Tyrur Laurel (m)
6 Blonde Dino (m)

A couple of dogs have really caught my eye away from the Derby this week. First of all I saw So Handsome (Hondo Black x Velvet Stacey) break the sprint clock at Lifford last Sunday. Hondo Black's top offspring is now up to a cracking 14% and the pups win over all types of distance and all appear to be very hard chasing.

The other two are both off the same dam, Farloe Oyster. Fear Zafonic sunk the unbeaten Westmead Osprey 5 lenghts round the Stow on Thursday night. Over at Wimbledon Ninja Jamie showed us what he could do when he clears the corner when romping home in 28.31.

As previously discussed Paul McCusker has Mineloa Di, a full sister to Ninja Jamie & Farloe Reason and half sister to Fear Zafonnic !! Paul called yesterday to inform me she had broke and was in process of booking a stud dog for her.

Prince makes it 16

The Prince (Lisas Invader) stormed to his 16th career win in the top race of the evening ( OLD WULFRUNIANS HOCKEY CLUB STAKES) at Monmore. Despite not trapping he forced his way to the front round the 2nd bend and then kicked clear. The well bred Steelhouse Jet chased hard but the Prince was clear by 2 1/2 lengths in an impressive 38.80. On the under card Westmead Lord, the reigning Derby Champion, won the Greyhound Stud Book Final in 28.37.

Finally.......Belle (Drumscaw Part 7)

Before leaving to the track I informed Paul hat I didn’t think Belle (Blue Amarillo) was quite herself. On her arrival back home the first of her litter to Droopys Maldini was born. I managed to stay awake to see the first five born, it was a real experience and was great to help out when Paul had to go in to Town to pick his good lady up.

Belle looks to be a real good mother and I’m sure the pups will thrive in the upcoming weeks. I had a quick look in before leaving at 5.45am when there was 3 dogs and 5 bitches. (Picture at various stages)

What a weekend!! Many thank to Paul and Collette for their hospitality.

Lifford (Drumscraw Part 6)

The track at Lifford stages some quality races but as I found out its gambling which is clearly the priority. Lifford is on the border so you can use both euros and sterling! In some of the races there was up to four different dogs gambled. Those there were certainly not there to watch the racing. The facilities were superb, plasma screens, helpful staff, plenty of bars and good food in all areas. You could eat a full roast for 10 euros, much better to pay an extra couple of pound and eat something decent than the junk we are offered in England.

Faraday & Boss (Drumscraw Part 5)

Sunday evening saw the return of Faraday to the track. Paul was hopeful she might be able to show some of her schooling promise after failing to sparkle in the UK. After a good break she was outpaced in to the corner and was then forced to check badly. She came off lame and will be off to the vets tomorrow.

It could well become the case that Faraday or her very fast brother Moneyline neither win a race in their careers. Moneyline got a serious toe injury when it got could in the traps on Friday night in the second round of an A3 stake.

It just shows you without luck on your side you will always be struggling.

Moneyline(Boss) is pictured at home, Faraday at the track.

More Pups (Drumscraw Part 4)

We worked away all day with the pups ensuring all had equal amounts of time in the fields.

There are a number of other nice pups at the kennels that was selected by Dave Yanez whom I owned Blue Amarillo and Socks with.

The ones that really caught the eye were off Yeah Man. I’d be surprised if there is not a serious dog within that litter.

Hunting High and Low (Drumscraw Part 3)

When we took the pups out load by load so I was able to look closely at Jameson (Yeah Man x Deerfield Aghada) and Socks (Boherduff Light x Blue Amarillo). Jameson would be the most striking of the pair to the eye. He is however a month older than Socks. Jameson is leggy type, lovely stride and has a great attitude to both people and his work. He weighs 61 lbs currently and whilst he won’t grow much bigger I’m sure he will continue to fill out.

Socks is a lot more compact and like Jameson does not get involved with the litter in fights. Both are too far to regal for that. They would rather sit back and watch the daily rumbles. The dogs loved the open space of the fields and patrolled the bushes in case there was any wildlife about.

The dogs pictured are: - Jameson (White mark on his nose, no white on tail), Socks (White tip on tails and white feet) and Hippo (Blue Bitch).

Facility Tour (Drumscraw Part 2)

The facilities at Drumscraw are first class. Paul and his wife Collette have put together a fabulous establishment where few could rival and all visitors are welcome. Paul’s research appeared to have paid dividends as I saw the best idea from the leading studs and kennels that I have visited in the UK and Ireland in years gone past.

There are currently two large grass paddocks and one sand paddock which is ideal for the younger saplings. The kennels block has plenty of air with large double kennels, whelping kennels, swimming pool, concrete paddocks and walking machine.

There are a number of fields within a short walk within a short drive or walk that the pups are taken to every two days. This short journey in the van will no doubt help the pups learn to travel well. All the pups get the same high level of treatment, caring hands, quality food and rearing. The dedication and time Paul puts in to the pups will hopefully pay dividends in years to come. Lets keep our fingers crossed as we no there are know guaranteed in this game.

Flying Visit (Drumscraw Part 1)

Does anybody know what BMI stands for ? Badly Malfunctioning Idiots !! The weekend away at Drumscraw Kennels started in true BMI fashion with them running late as they were unable to start the plane!! This plane had been flying in the morning! Good job it didn’t cut out over the Irish Sea that’s all I’ll say. If there were any other options than to use these jokers I would.

After a quick get away Paul picked me up and headed west to the kennels. Suddenly we have a blow out on the tyres. If you have any sort of mechanical problem you couldn’t have any one worse to help out. Any way Mr McCusker soon had it sorted and we arrived at the kennels in no time for a quick tour before heading out to the track at Lifford to watch the racing.

Evening ended well with a 5/1 selection of my own coming in that paid for the flight and a bit more!!

Countdown to Weekend

Two more days at work before I fly out to Northern Ireland on Saturday to spend the weekend at Paul & Collete's Drumscraw Kennels. I can't wait to finally meet Socks and Jameson our young pups and meet old friends Belle and Patch. Faraday is due to run on Sunday night to give the weekend some extra flavour, as it it was needed !

Roll on Saturday