Monmore Puppy Derby Round 1

A cracking night of Puppy races this evening at Monmore. The track was very busy with lots of high profile owners and trainers. I met up with old friends Steve Murphy and Carly Phillpott and had a good catch up before Lance Burford came down to catch up on the news. Rather than review each race I'll post the Semi Final draw and my comments.
1^st semi final:
1 Lethal Ace - Rapid pace to 3rd bend, did he get home ?

2 Greenwell Cool - Will need to find some early to figure.

3 Centurion Enry - High class contender, had early trouble but chased leader down.

4 Droopys Kez - Will need to come away from this draw, pacey.

5 Freedom Emma - Was smashed straight out the boxes, stuck to task well but will need to improve lots.

6 Magna Venturer - Shaped up well after poor start, could have really traffic problems next week.

2^nd semi final:

1 Kinda Ready - Really took the eye, stuck to guns well.

2 Bandicoot Tipoki - Missed break then showed breathtaking pace. A lot of running probably cost him dear.

3 Eden Rocket -Will need a miracle in this heat.

4 Aughacasla Jesse - Great run from tough heat, will need to do everything right next week.

5 Droopys Cadel - I think the draw could very well suit, in the hottest Semi Final.

6 Droopys Jervis (m) - Stunning debut, my only bet of night, will need to fly out, possibilities.

3^rd semi final: 1 Eden Dom-Veers left at boxes, ran on very strong.

2 Bawna Elsa - Led a mile from a bad draw, will need to again.

3 Droopys Quinta (m) -Lacks early toe, could run on late.

4 Farloe Lee (m) - Didn't really catch the eye.

5 Bush Paddy (m) - Took his time to get going but looks in great order, 28.00 does not lie.

6 Kinda Free (m) - Ran on very strong, could struggle from the six box.

Bandicoot Tipoki was our Antepost bet at 4/1 and I'm still happy with that, he showed super pace down the back and after mising the break. Chris Allsopp's Droopys Jervis was my only bet of night and that paid 7/2 on the night.

Monmore Puppy Derby Entries

This Thursday is one of my favourite evenings racing of the year. The Monmore Puppy Derby once again looks to have brought together a fantastic group of 6 heats of which 3 will progress from each. It seems odd how some dogs have been included when dogs on the reserved list have quicker times on their card. The recent Trafalgar Cup winner Freedom Emma is on that reserve list. Roll on Thurday.

Mark Wallis on Fire

I couldn't make the Puppy Derby Trial Stakes last night as I was kindly given a ticket on the half way line to watch Manchester Utd v Blackburn. You can't really turn down a ticket to watch the European Champions can you ? Kinda Ready looks to have firmly made himself the ante-post favourite after winning in 28.01!! What a run. Litter sister Kinda Free landed the Divsion 2 Stake when winning in 28.79. Other Trial Stakes winners were Kaboot Bluebird (Mel Baker) 28.72, Thurlesbeg Nonie (W Critchley), Lethal Ace (S Cahill) 28.50. From all those who ran tonight Kinda Ready is one that looks a cut above. This week will see a few more dogs have their finals trials before the competition kicks off. Is there one in there to give Ready a race ?

Monmore Puppy Derby 2009

As previous years I will try and post regular updates up to the Puppy Derby including the Trial Stakes and through out the competition. The Martin Burt trained Proud Reward missed tonight's Trial Stakes as he was reported not just himself. Reward looks to be one of home trained contenders competition having gone from A3 to win a Puppy Open at the home track. Kinda Ready trained by Mark Wallis set the tongues wagging on Friday as they recorded 28.24 winning by 3 1/2 lengths. Andy Johnson looks to have a nice dog called Droopys Jervis that did 28.63. After seeing many Open Races at the track I'm still convinced you must have a trial at the track before going for a race. Back in 2006 Droopys Electric came over after winning a competition at Shelbourne Park and ended up on the first boat back having being knocked out in the first round without having a trial. Droopys Electric presence in the field enabled us to get a good price about Ballymac Charly. There was three trial stakes tonight with Eden Dom taking Division 1 in 28.24. He is bang railer so could struggle if he gets a poor draw. Farloe Firefox ran a stinker in the second Trial Stake when a shocking start cost him all chance. Blonde Dee kicked clear off the second and won from a fast finishing Farloe Can Do in 28.41.This was a smart performance by the son of Hades Rocket as it was the pups first ever race. The final Trial Stake winner Bawna Elsa trained by Chris Allsopp. Elsa showed some rapid early pace to lead round and take advantage of Droopys Arshavin's lack of experience at the track to win in 28.41. Bawna Elsa is actually for sale on Chris Allsopps's website.