So Thursday night saw Bobby making his debut for us at Henlow, in a tough open race round Henlow.
It was more a run out for him, we just wanted him to come off sound, and thankfully he did. He ran OK for the first 4 bends but then faded coming home and finished 6th, was clearly in need of the run. The dog stuck like glue to the rail though and ended up even hitting it off the 3rd bend - which is no surprise as it was his first look at the track too.
He will continue to be galloped and is booked in for a 480m trial at Swindon on Tuesday, he will then be aimed at a stiff 4 bends rather than a short 6 bend race I think, as we are just trying to get him to full fitness at the moment. Decisions will be made thereafter but as long as the dog keeps coming off sound we will be happy.
I also went to visit him on Sunday morning and he was looking great, such a happy laid back dog. I will update again when he has had his trial, and when we know where he will be next.
Monday, 29 April 2013
Monday, 22 April 2013
Do you want the good news, or the bad news?
It's been a mixed week for the He Winked At Me kennel.
Shrewdie has just began to find his feet round Romford and i'm really hopeful he can progress through the middle grades as he gets more experience. However, the silly boy managed to cut his web on his foot and had to have it burnt back by the vets, which will mean he will now have to have about a months rest and then trial back on.
Hopefully he can come back hungrier than ever to get after the bunny and pick up where he left off.
On a brighter note, our new recruit, 'Bobby', will be making his debut for the kennel this week. He will be heading to Henlow on Thursday for the 550m race there.
The dog is not fully fit at the moment, and the run will be needed, despite JP giving him plenty of gallops and attention these last couple of weeks. We are hoping that we can get him on the card for the sky night next Wednesday at Swindon, in the 509m.
He will be running under his current name 'Hi Ace Boy' on Thursday, as the papers aren't yet through for his name change to 'Winking Ace'. As I said, he will need the run, and it is a very competitive open race, and as long as he comes off safe and sound we will be happy.
I have also updated the 'photographs' page, with a few pictures.
I have also updated the 'photographs' page, with a few pictures.
Sunday, 14 April 2013
Two dogs on the go!
A quick update from this end on both dogs..
Went to see BOBBY again this morning and he is looking well, he had to have 10 days off for a little niggle that needed resting but he went out for his first trial last night since we purchased him just to blow the cobwebs out over 480m at Swindon.
He ended up doing 30.00 (-60), so 29.40 calc, which although isn't the best of times (about A3/A4 grade), he noticeably lost his footing at the first and third bend as well as doing a very slow sectional from the boxes. We will now be entering him into an open somewhere as soon as we can, when we see one which will suit.
As for SHREWDIE, he ran again on Thursday afternoon bags (11/04), he got a clump from the 4 dog moving into him just out of the boxes but still paced up well however he was unable to lead trap 1 or trap 6 and got a bump and turned 3rd. Down the far side he showed tremendous pace and went outside of both dogs infront of him and looked like he was going to get to the front when the 6 dog just pushed him wide and stopped him in his stride. After that he ended up finishing 5th but it was a good run considering he didn't get to the bend infront. He will be a winner in the grade again very soon.
Went to see BOBBY again this morning and he is looking well, he had to have 10 days off for a little niggle that needed resting but he went out for his first trial last night since we purchased him just to blow the cobwebs out over 480m at Swindon.
He ended up doing 30.00 (-60), so 29.40 calc, which although isn't the best of times (about A3/A4 grade), he noticeably lost his footing at the first and third bend as well as doing a very slow sectional from the boxes. We will now be entering him into an open somewhere as soon as we can, when we see one which will suit.
As for SHREWDIE, he ran again on Thursday afternoon bags (11/04), he got a clump from the 4 dog moving into him just out of the boxes but still paced up well however he was unable to lead trap 1 or trap 6 and got a bump and turned 3rd. Down the far side he showed tremendous pace and went outside of both dogs infront of him and looked like he was going to get to the front when the 6 dog just pushed him wide and stopped him in his stride. After that he ended up finishing 5th but it was a good run considering he didn't get to the bend infront. He will be a winner in the grade again very soon.
Saturday, 6 April 2013
Shrewdie lands the gamble!
Tonight Shrewdie was back out on track, in an A6 where we believed he had a great chance at winning. It would be the usual scenario, he had the early to get to the front but would be on oxygen off the last bend! After his run last week in A6, he stayed on OK considering he didn't lead which made me confident that he would stay a bit better if he did manage to turn the bend infront. And this race was a race where he should turn infront as there was a distinct lack of early.
The bookies on track had sent Shrewdie off at decent prices previous and none of the syndicate had been able to get to track to have a decent bet on him, so I made sure I would be there tonight to cheer the lad on and try and win a few quid.
He opened 4/1 and was the only dog in the market who didn't budge either way, I got my money on just before the hare was running and ran to the top of the steps to cheer the boy on with my girlfriend.
"Just trap" - was all I could think while the hare was coming round, and that he did. His early pace helped him clear the inside although the 5 dog was about 1/4 length outside him going into the first. Shrewdie held his ground and shoulder barged the 5 and kicked on down the back to stretch out to about 4-5 lengths ahead of the 3 and 6 - and we began shouting our lungs out to help him!
They were both edging closer, however, and as Shrewdie came off the 4th bend, and although I was OI OI'ing it from halfway, it was so nearly a hands on head moment as the 3 dog came within a neck to landing the spoils!
He only did a modest 25.26 (the track was slow judging by earlier times on the night, 20, maybe 30 slow), but its crossing the line infront that matters!
That's 2 wins from 4 races now with Maxine (who has managed to get him staying better already), A7 and A6 wins, I don't know if his time will merit an upgrade, but A5 will be a big step up if he does. The dog still isn't 2 until July though, and will clearly enjoy the track more when the going gets better, so there is much more to come from Shrewdie.
The bookies on track had sent Shrewdie off at decent prices previous and none of the syndicate had been able to get to track to have a decent bet on him, so I made sure I would be there tonight to cheer the lad on and try and win a few quid.
He opened 4/1 and was the only dog in the market who didn't budge either way, I got my money on just before the hare was running and ran to the top of the steps to cheer the boy on with my girlfriend.
"Just trap" - was all I could think while the hare was coming round, and that he did. His early pace helped him clear the inside although the 5 dog was about 1/4 length outside him going into the first. Shrewdie held his ground and shoulder barged the 5 and kicked on down the back to stretch out to about 4-5 lengths ahead of the 3 and 6 - and we began shouting our lungs out to help him!
They were both edging closer, however, and as Shrewdie came off the 4th bend, and although I was OI OI'ing it from halfway, it was so nearly a hands on head moment as the 3 dog came within a neck to landing the spoils!
He only did a modest 25.26 (the track was slow judging by earlier times on the night, 20, maybe 30 slow), but its crossing the line infront that matters!
That's 2 wins from 4 races now with Maxine (who has managed to get him staying better already), A7 and A6 wins, I don't know if his time will merit an upgrade, but A5 will be a big step up if he does. The dog still isn't 2 until July though, and will clearly enjoy the track more when the going gets better, so there is much more to come from Shrewdie.
Would also like to add that I heard the 3 dog went lame after the line so I hope that isn't too serious and he can make a full recovery ASAP.
Wednesday, 3 April 2013
Welcome, Bobby!
Today the He Winked At Me syndicate purchased another dog.
The dog came available through John Peterson, a trainer attached to Swindon, who was one of the first people I knew when I got my first two greyhounds, and I also have another dog with him not involved with the syndicate at the moment too.
'Hi Ace Boy' is a 6 bend open race winner at Romford clocking 13.80 sectional and a 35.99 calc time. Not bad for his 3rd race over 6 bends and still only a Jan'11 dog. After a long journey to Manchester to pick him up from Charlie Lynch - who might I add is a really nice guy - and then dropping him off at his new kennel in Bicester, "Bobby" (kennel name) is now settling in.
We are hoping Bobby (who's racing name will be changed to 'Winking Ace') can continue to compete in opens and John will be giving him a trial round Swindon on Tuesday, leading hopefully to a Trial Stakes for the Swindon Arc.
Exciting times..
The dog came available through John Peterson, a trainer attached to Swindon, who was one of the first people I knew when I got my first two greyhounds, and I also have another dog with him not involved with the syndicate at the moment too.
'Hi Ace Boy' is a 6 bend open race winner at Romford clocking 13.80 sectional and a 35.99 calc time. Not bad for his 3rd race over 6 bends and still only a Jan'11 dog. After a long journey to Manchester to pick him up from Charlie Lynch - who might I add is a really nice guy - and then dropping him off at his new kennel in Bicester, "Bobby" (kennel name) is now settling in.
We are hoping Bobby (who's racing name will be changed to 'Winking Ace') can continue to compete in opens and John will be giving him a trial round Swindon on Tuesday, leading hopefully to a Trial Stakes for the Swindon Arc.
Exciting times..
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