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Betting Update; Blue Square Greyhound Derby Wimbledon with the bookmakers making Wise Thought thei
Added: (Tue Dec 30 2008)
Trying to predict the winner of the Greyhound Derby in six months time takes a bit of doing, but the rewards on offer make it a more than worthwhile exercise.
First and foremost is to get an idea of the requirements of a potential winner. Ideally a dog who will be experienced enough, but not too old by next May; one with experience of Wimbledon is a big plus, and ideally based with a trainer who has a proven record in the race. That last statement immediately leads to Charlie Lister and Nick Savva who have both won the race three times in the last decade. While Savva has been quiet in recent months, Lister is building up a typically strong squad, with Fear Zafonic laying down a serious early marker when dipping a remarkable 15 spots under the 460m track record in a recent trial. Given that was his first experience of the track, and he had been off injured since the Manchester Puppy final in September it was some effort, and he is certainly of interest, although bookmakers were quick to chop his odds, and at the current price Id rather wait to see how he progresses before stepping in. He is likely to run in the Juvenile at the track in early March. Littermate Farloe Merlin is slightly more experienced, having won the Puppy Classic at Nottingham, a track where he has done virtually all his racing, having also reached the Eclipse final there last month. While Id like to see him with a bit more experience around Wimbledon his only start there came when he was inexperienced last March at four times the odds of his brother he is worth a small play.
The dog that has impressed me most as a potential winner at this stage however is Wise Thought, whose first hint of what lay in store, came with an impressive win in one of the supporting races on Derby final night last summer! Trained by relatively unknown handler Martin White he recorded a fast 2749 for the 460m that night before going on to reach the Irish Derby semi-final. An unbeaten run through the Eclipse at Nottingham has rather revealed his colours, but while he is now favourite with most firms his price is still attractive enough, and is certainly a lot bigger than were he trained by say Charlie Lister. I make him my main choice at this stage.
Id also recommend Boherna Best, who has been the ultimate competition dog of 2008 and is a major candidate for Greyhound of the Year. Barry Drapers runner has won three big prizes this year, the Midland Gold Cup, Laurels and the All England Cup and yet still seems to be improving. He remains untried at Wimbledon, but could also contest the Juvenile.
Wise Thought 3 pts win Boherna Best 2 pts win Farloe Merlin 1 pt e/w
All prices correct at time of writing.
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