I was delighted to receive an email from Peter Walker a couple of weeks ago, asking me if I’d be keen to put out an extract from his recently published book – here on Greyhound Weekly. After reading a copy, I was happy to oblige.
The premise of Greyhound Rating Analysis: The Proven Formula for Success, is to explain to the reader how Pete has created a rating system which can be applied to analyse all types of greyhound racing.
Without giving too much away, Pete uses a range of weighted data to arrive at relative ratings for each race. In this extract, Pete describes the experience of being a syndicate shareholder in Coolavanny Rebel.
As mentioned previously, Coolavanny Rebel (now just referred to as ‘Rebel) was acquired by the OGOA at Sheffield for syndication after arriving from Ireland. He was trained by the ‘Parkers’ who were having a great deal of success with graded and open class greyhounds. Rebel was valued at 4K, although that proved to be a good investment as he soon reached open class status. Fifteen shares were available at £265 each and a monthly payment of £15 to cover kennel bills.
To put it into context, at this time I was developing my ratings formula and began betting my top-rated selections at some tracks which I was concentrating on. This included Rebel’s recent victories at Owlerton, so I was already aware of his potential and was a no-brainer. I made contact with Dave Kay and we soon met up to add my name to the list of shareholders. It was one of those occasions where I could actually state ‘I’m off to see a man about a dog!’
During this period, he was running well and still a puppy (8th July, 2013-) so was entered for the Ladbrokes Summer Festival Puppies competition at Monmore over 480m in June 2015 following a good trial. In his semi-final, he chased home Swift Whirlwind who wasn’t for catching on this occasion which included Droopys Buick in the line-up no less. Onto the final and most of the syndicate made the trip down to Wolverhampton. Sean Parker brought Rebel and a buffet was supplied by the sponsors which was appreciated. Could he reverse the form with his main rival in trap 6 again, coming out of trap 4 instead of 5 this time? The start was very similar to their previous encounter but Rebel had him in his sights. However, a burst of pace at the quarter point of the race gave him the advantage and wasn’t going to relinquish the lead once he reached the front. With it been a midweek afternoon event, it didn’t produce a large crowd, but that made no difference to us. However, Steve Nash (photographer extraordinaire) was also there to record our success. He did say this though, ‘I’ve never seen a small group make so much noise as the winning connections of Rebel did today.’ Rebel had come of age on this day and would leave his puppy status behind him with a fantastic win. Following that result, I always used to say ‘bookmakers ignore Rebel at their peril.’
Over the next twelve months, he continued to win regularly, especially at his home track, but couldn’t quite reach the heights of his previous open competition victory. His greatest asset was his early pace from a middle seed position. To get in front at the first bend over Sheffield’s shorter run up over the 480m distance was stunning to watch. He did suffer a few defeats at Owlerton but it was no disgrace to finish behind the likes of Domino Storm (probably the best bitch in the country at that time) and getting caught by Making Paper (a Derby finalist) on the run-in.
The Derby in 2016 was to become the last time it was held at Wimbledon. Having a crack at this unique event was mooted by the syndicate. We thought the tight track over the 480m was ideal based on his running style with blistering early pace. However, it was a big commitment travelling from his Russanda Kennels near Goole on a weekly basis, especially with only one or two suitable contenders on board.
Although disappointing, he was approaching three years of age and maybe reaching his peak at this stage. Instead, he was entered for the Williiam Hill Classic at Sunderland, the month after the Derby final in July that year. This category one competition boasted a purse of 25K to the winner. The 450m seemed the ideal distance, and there was confidence that he could negotiate the infamous first bend at the north-eastern track. He was runner-up in both his heat and semi-final races to Toolmaker Scot and Southfield Jock respectively, and I made the trip to witness his qualification for the climax. As it happens, all three were to contest the finale, and being the only seeded finalist, was automatically drawn in the widest berth. We weighed up the race and felt if he could get the better of the aforementioned greyhounds, he must have a good chance. On the Wednesday night of the final, the stadium was packed to the rafters. Connections of each finalist were given a reserved table for us which accommodated several supporters with both Elaine Parker and her son Sean in attendance. As the traps opened and the race unfolded, Rebel managed to get the better of both Scot and Jock around the second bend but still had another runner named Roxholme Scolari to get past if he was to take the first prize. Unfortunately, the relatively unfancied dog in trap 3 had eclipsed its earlier form (bettered his previous time by 46 spots!) and stolen a march on our Rebel. He stayed on resolutely but had to settle for the runners-up spot again. We were gutted at the time, but he did us proud. He ran exceptionally well and it was still a remarkable performance.
During the year of 2016, he continued to race regularly at Sheffield, but opens over the 480m were becoming fairly rare and had to settle for frequent two-bend open races over the 280m. Following a trial at Doncaster over the 450m distance, he won a couple of opens which included a new track record of 27.31 at his first attempt. By the end of the year, it was probably better to move on from his present career at Sheffield due to the lack of suitable opens at his attached track. It was therefore decided to transfer his stewardship to trainer Carol Weatherall at Coppice Kennels in Warwickshire.
The following table is a raceform record of Rebel prior to his move down to his new training establishment in February, 2017. Highlighted are what I regard as his best three performances in his illustrious career.
When Rebel was transferred to his new trainer in the Midlands, the kennel was attached to Perry Barr at the time. He soon settled in under the care of Carol, Darren Holmes (assistant trainer) and a kennel hand called Ian Langford. Rebel was soon to become a firm favourite of Ian’s charges.
Towards the end of February, he ran his first race at Perry Barr in an open without the opportunity of an introduction. This was not an inconvenience as he quickly asserted around halfway and took the race in commanding style. He appeared to have a new lease of life at this track.
While based at Perry Barr, he also ran in competitions at Swindon as well as the Scottish Derby at Shawfield but lost out in both prior to the final stages. Also, he had a run out at the recently opened track at Towcester over the extended 500m. It was testing his stamina to the limit but came a creditable third.
Although he was unsuccessful at other tracks and maybe the best days were behind him, he continued to relish his open racing at Perry Barr. He raced there regularly, often accompanied by Ian (I Love Rebel) Langford. Apparently, other trainers often remarked to him “Have you brought that dog again”. His record at Perry Barr in opens were exceptional. He ran there ten times and won on nine occasions. Unfortunately, his latest win in June 2017 was to be his last race on a greyhound track. The following day, it was noticed he had suffered a whip muscle injury. Due to this and the fact he was nearly four years of age, it was thought better to retire him now.
His premature early retirement put paid to his chances of running in the veteran’s race at the Derby finals night at Towcester the following month. This may have been his swansong but was denied it which was a great shame. He had very few injuries in his racing career, and he gave a lot of enjoyment to many people, especially the lucky syndicate members who followed his exploits through many highs and very few lows. Enjoy your retirement Rebel, you deserve it.
The additional table lists his last fifteen performances before his retirement while resident at Coppice Kennels near Rugby. From track to a loving home. The first picture was taken just after he won the Ladbrokes Summer Festival Puppies competition at Monmore, followed by a soon settled in pose with our elderly tom cat not long after he retired.
