The only certainties in life are death, taxes, and Ballyregan Bob in his pomp (unbeaten record of 32 consecutive wins in 1985-86), writes Peter Walker.
If it wasn’t the inimitable Bob, most odds-on bankers are there to remind us that certainty is an illusion.
The 12 races on Friday included eight short-priced favourites with only three winners. Although two from four at evens and above were won by the market leader, it was essentially a good night for the layers.
Winning traps were spread out amongst all the boxes but similar to other tracks, the front runners gained a big advantage.
The ratings have also been calculated for the Ladbrokes Million Dollar Chase at Wentworth Park in Australia, the richest greyhound race in the world!
Premier Greyhound Racing Oaks
The bitches took centre stage again and the headline was the elimination of Droopys Kathleen.
Coming out of trap 4, she found herself in unfamiliar territory at the back of the field when squeezed out at the opening bend.
From then on, it was a struggle playing catch-up and could only finish fourth. Maybe something was amiss but don’t forget it was only her seventh competitive race.
Hopefully, we will see the current track-record holder back to her best again in the future.
Strike It Skye and Meenagh Minsk both had to settle for the runners-up spot who were behind Kathleen in the ante post pecking order prior to the second round.
It was Kelvins Hat who stole the show by holding on from off the front to secure a five-timer at the expense of Strike It Skye.
Sadly, Kelvins Hat has since had to be withdrawn from the semi-finals. Raebella Bullet managed to overhaul Meenagh Minsk in apparently the slowest four-bend winner on the night.
It was only hand timed so will be disregarded for ratings purposes.
The first semi-final includes four second-round winners as well as the current favourite Strike It Skye.
He is most likely to come from off the pace and may need a little luck to get a clear run.
The third semi-final includes two runners whose previous race was hand timed, raising doubts about accuracy.
As a result of discounting the timings, their ratings may be artificially elevated and should be interpreted with caution.
Kelvins Hat’s withdrawal has created an opening for Avongate Venus to take advantage of room on his inside to qualify in the now five-runner race.
At 14/1, she looks the one to be with at a generous each-way price.
Arena Racing Company Scurry Gold Cup
The first round of the ARC Scurry Gold Cup took place and it was no surprise to see the sprint distance record beaten twice on the night.
The current champion Rioja Oisin won well and initially held the record, only for Shadow Storm to beat it by five spots just over an hour later.
Both are kept apart in the subsequent draw and would be a major surprise if they don’t qualify in their respective semi-finals.
The first semi-final has the sole previous winner Jazzy George in trap four again.
The October ‘23 dog has scope to build on some impressive performances to date so offers a viable each-way alternative to the top two in the betting at around the 12/1 mark.
However, Shadow Storm is a very worthy favourite and obviously looks the one to beat but no room for error in any sprinting competition.
