The second round was completed on Saturday with the sixteen heats just as exciting as the first twenty-six the previous weekend. Of the 17 favourites (including joint favourites in heat 8), eight won their heats with six odds-on chances. The four that lost out on qualification were Clona Duke, Tribal Syd, Carmac King and Ower Cracker.
Friday
Heat One produced a thriller with nothing to separate Kapuka Warrior and Toolmaker Curio as they flashed past the winning line simultaneously. Our own March On Freddie showed his track-craft to seize a gap on the inside to take Heat 3, after a moderate start by his standards. Undoubtedly, the performance of the Friday night was Bockos Diamond who enhanced his reputation with a stunning front-running display, stopping the clock at 29.03 seconds, only 4 spots off the record!
Saturday
On to Saturday and heat 9 saw a rejuvenated De Lahdedah come back to form in convincing fashion. Heat 13 produced the fastest of the night with a dominant performance from Ballinabola Jim covering the trip in 29.07. Arthur Cornflake ran in heat 15 which produced another dead-heat with Dashing Toro, but this time it was for the third qualification position.
Unsatisfactory resolution
Unfortunately, both parties couldn’t agree to a coin toss so a re-run was the only other option which became a ‘fait accompli.’ I don’t blame connections of Dashing Toro as they were just playing the existing system to their advantage. However, it resulted in the bizarre situation of going through by a walk-over. It’s inept and unfair, especially in such a prestigious event.
We nearly had the farcical situation of having a re-run following a void race at Towcester in the Derby Plate earlier this year, but common-sense prevailed in the end. I recommended that we should look at the situation in the cold light of day. My guess is that nothing has happened.
My solution to the problem of deciding who goes through in this scenario would be to give the position based on the quickest finishing time in the previous round (or trial/race if appropriate). The greyhound missing out could then be held as a reserve.
if a runner is withdrawn before the next round, the greyhound missing out would take the vacant trap . In my opinion, this is rational, easy to apply and most important of all, impartial and fair. It would avoid the necessity of a flip of the coin or a re-run (let’s face it, neither of which are satisfactory). The draw for the next round would not be delayed either in adopting this rule change.
Ratings
The ratings of all forty-eight remaining greyhounds are now assessed collectively for the first time with additional form figures included. There’s no surprise who’s at the top of the ratings! I have provided a summary of all the top three in each race with the best up-to-date ante post prices (subject to fluctuation) in the table all in one place. Looking forward to another fantastic night of top-class racing at Shelboune Park, affectionately known as headquarters for obvious reasons.
Saturday 7.48
Saturday 8.03
Saturday 8.18
Saturday 9.24
Saturday 9.39
