Island View maintains
his unbeaten Stow record, when he made it four from four.
Walthamstow Report 06 Nov 2007
Tuesday's card featured the heats of the ToteSport
London Scurry and the Goodwood cup and a few graded fillers.
These look decent competitions but I have one strong personal
objection to the format. The format of both competitions have a
bookmaker friendly side to them. Six heats of the Scurry and three
heats of the Goodwood cup. I personally despise formats where the
first two qualify. There's more chance that the best dog will not
win the competition, where one bad draw can knock you out. I can see
no good reason for this format. There should be 4 (or 8) heats of
the scurry and 4 heats of the Goodwood cup, with first three
qualifying all the way. The draw is massively important in the 430m
races and will probably play a big part in deciding the event.
In the first heat of the Scurry.
Razldazl Eddie showed decent early pace to lead, but quickly had
Black Taxi on his tail.
Black Taxi showed much the better pace and led near the 3rd
bend. He was a decent winner.
Black Taxi did not start very well and also came off the rails
at the 2nd bend.
Razldazl Eddie kept on well for second.
In the 2nd Scurry heat,
Elles Hawk started well and made all. He faced little contest
for the lead and after an incident or two at the 2nd bend, it was
all over.
Rooster Nosey broke clear of
Kilgraney Agassi at the start, but did not show enough early
pace to clear that rival at the second bend.
Kilgraney Agassi done him from behind, if you'll pardon the
expression.
Reachfar Giulio broke fairly well, but ran right off at the
second bend and joined the barney rubble.
Rooster Nosey stayed on fairly well to pick up
Sparta Master near the line for second qualifying spot.
Astute Gift ran out an impressive winner of the first heat of
the Goodwood cup. He came off the rails, was quickly into his stride
and the result never looked in doubt from an early stage.
Bubbly Legend kept on and grabbed a remote second.
In the 3rd Scurry heat,
Ashill View started best and led early doors.
Barnfield Haveit and
Legal Major followed him round and on the run to the bend,
Legal Major found a nice seam up the rails and outclassed his
field. I have always liked this dog and the way he grabbed the
ground on the run in gives me some optimism for my 14-1 ante post
voucher. I believe he's the fastest 430m dog at Walthamstow - when
sound. He's such a trier this dog, I'd very much like to own him.
In the 4th Scurry heat, the old veteran
Perceptive Pacey showed he's still got what it takes. He showed
smart early pace and made all. He's a very genuine dog, but I'd be
surprised if he wins the event.
Fivestar Oak kept on ok for second, though he was not that
fluent at the 3rd bend.
In the 2nd Goodwood cup heat,
Conker All and
Milldean Buster went to the bend together and
Conker All led on the draw. He pulled a few lengths clear on the
back straight, but
Quivers Punch ran on well and led on the run in.
Quivers Punch had a good word in
Conker All's ear on the run in and received the red card. I
wonder if he said "I'm the daddy now" as he went past.
Noirs Ted was bitterly disappointing and must be under the
weather. It's kennel sickness time of the year.
In the 5th Scurry heat,
Emporio Rapide showed a superb early pace after an electric
start. He ran wide off the last bend and gave the advantage to
Westmead Prince, who led on the run in. The proximity of
Tanner Butler puts a question mark in my mind on the ability of
Westmead Prince. Whilst he's 4 from 4 at the track, he has yet
to record a decent time at Walthamstow, using my going allowances.
In the 6th Scurry heat,
Riverside Lark showed decent early pace (came off the rails) and
led round.
Vigorous Zico also started well and quickened off the second
bend to lead on the back straight. He ran wide round the last two
bends, but was a pretty decent winner. After a slow start,
Millions Girl stayed on well to grab second.
Island View started fast in the 3rd Goodwood cup heat and made
all to maintain his 100% record at the track.
Barnfield Joe made a decent race of it and held every chance. He
went down by 1 3/4 lengths.
Island View is very well bred, being by Tinys Bud
Graded
Only four went to post for the opening H2, with
Marcus Brutus sent off 2/5F. He started well and made all to
beat a right bunch of plodders.
Tiger Scot made most of the running in the S1, but didn't see
the trip out and was collared on the run in by the staying on
Lode Star.
Droopys Kan Kan stayed on for 3rd.
Swift Maggie looked lame, checking all over the place.
Snazzy Rover and
Fenland Lark had a good buckle in the A2.
Fenland Lark came out the stronger, taking command from between
the last two bends.
Not So Jolly showed signs of a return to form and should get his
head in front soonish.
The Wizard set the early pace in the S3 finale. He faded to
nothing after leading down the back straigh for the final time.
Off Course took over at this point and was a comfortable winner.