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.

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.