The transition from Perry Barr to Dunstall Park has been a great achievement, writes Peter Walker.
Nevertheless, once the euphoria of a new track opening subsides, the harsh realities of the sport’s decline have to be faced head-on, no matter how uncomfortable.
We need incentives to attract not only new owners (or even retain existing and returning enthusiasts) but young trainers as well.
Modern state-of-the-art facilities similar to the Wolverhampton venture are essential.
Without a strong base of owners and trainers, professional greyhound racing cannot survive.
Change must be embraced decisively.
Efforts have been made in the past without success. Whether it is cultural inertia, structural rigidity, power dynamics, or probably a combination of all three – continued inaction is unsustainable.
Belated congratulations to Power And Glory and connections who won the Ladbrokes Million Dollar Chase.
Commiserations to Eriza Sparkles and Smooth Plane who finished behind the winner in that order.
Prize money assigned to the 1-2-3 after a welfare deduction (1-2%) were approximately £480K, £48K and £22K.
As another example, earnings for the runner-up after only 15 starts (9 wins, 3 seconds, 1 third) amounts to £105,787!
Unfortunately, we can only dream of that level of remuneration in the Northern Hemisphere.
Premier Greyhound Racing Oaks
Strike It Skye took over favouritism from Droopys Kathleen in the ante-post betting but failed to progress in the first red-hot semi-final.
As feared, she ran into trouble and didn’t get a clear run.
Butlers Lane squeezed ahead around the opening bends and maintained her winning streak with Raebella Bullet only a neck behind at the finish.
READ MORE: Butlers Lane can make veteran trainer’s dream come true in Premier Greyhound Racing Oaks final
The next semi-final saw Fabulous Aria take advantage of the inside line despite only a modest break.
The selection Avongate Venus stayed on well to take the runners-up spot to qualify.
The third produced the fastest semi-final with the vastly-improved Kilwest Diva winning in 28.15.
The rank outsider Bridefort Lady chased her home all the way which means the final will consist of four railers and two middle seeds.
In the subsequent draw, Aria was once again allocated the red vest. She is now the slight favourite ahead of Venus drawn the widest of all in trap 6.
She has won from the stripes before and followers will be hoping for another bold show from the oldest bitch in the line-up.
Even so, runners drawn inside held the edge last Friday.
Butlers Lane (best priced 7/1) is unbeaten and consistent from the boxes so cannot be ignored in what should be a brilliant Oaks finale.
Arena Racing Company Scurry Gold Cup
The semi-finals saw the main contenders qualify, although Shadow Storm had to settle for second behind Bockos Buster in a tight finish.
The current champion Rioja Oisin took control around the opening bend and will not give up his title lightly in the final.
Supporters of Jazzy George (including me) just got pipped on the line by the strong-finishing Longacres Lad in the quickest finishing time.
It looks a wide-open affair but George has fared well as the draw has him ideally boxed in trap 3 from the four qualified middle runners.
If he flashes out again, it remains to be seen if he can hold on in a fascinating Scurry Gold Cup renewal now at Dunstall Park.
