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Wimbledon Ready to Welcome Irish Winner

By Larry Cooney & Seamus Cahill

There will be considerable Irish interest once again in this Saturday’s Wimbledon Greyhound Derby final.

While tennis may have been the dominant sport in the area for the past two weeks, the greyhound final line-up should ensure the result of ladies final will not be the only interesting story emanating from SW19.

For those fortunate enough to be present at last year’s wonderful evening when Droopys Scoles swept to a dramatic victory it was truly memorable Irish sporting moment watching greyhound racing at its best. Saturday’s William Hill Greyhound Derby Final will be the climax of four weeks of competition from over 200 dogs around the country and abroad battling for the coveted crown and winning for their owner a prize of £100,000 and the accolade of Derby Champion 2005.

Besides the final — which will be screened on Sky Sports — there will be 13 other races on the night, including the Derby Plate Final and Champions Hurdle.

From an original field of 195 entries the final six for the 2005 William Hill Greyhound Derby were decided on Saturday evening. Unlike last year’s final line-up when winner Droopys Scholes was the only Irish representative, this year three dogs will be carrying Irish hopes including the fancied Geldrops Touch, trained by Owen McKenna.

The fast finishing Westmead Hawk still remains the sponsors favourite despite failing to catch Irish trainer Seamus Graham’s Mineola Farloe in Saturday’s second semi-final.

2005 William Hill Wimbledon Greyhound Finalists

Trap1: Blonde Mac (R) – The star of Arthur Hitch’s kennel, who is one of his few prized greyhounds these days. Whilst a big price (50-1), he continues to run with aplomb and though the formbook says he is outclassed, he won’t read that.

Trap 2: Ningbo Jack (M) – Trained by four-time Derby winner Charlie Lister and owned by Diana Kennedy. He was voted the 2004 BGRB Champion Sprinter but has thrived on hard work throughout the competition and put up his best performance by far in the semi-finals. Huge early pace and if gaining a big lead could be hard to pull back once again.

Trap 3: Blue Majestic (M) – Trained by Seamus Graham, this greyhound has improved throughout the competition and has both early pace and a strong finish. He just failed to pull back Ningbo Jack (beaten a head) in the first semi-final and won’t match strides with him again on Saturday. However, he could well turn second inside Westmead Hawk and therefore have a similar chance to turn the tables with ‘Jack’ this weekend.

Trap 4: Westmead Hawk (M) – Trained by Nikki Savva, this is the greyhound that persuaded the handler to come out of retirement and he has been the revelation of the competition so far. Has displayed incredible intelligence and track craft and outstanding strength in a finish. Arguably he has been the most impressive greyhound throughout the rounds with bursts of speed from bends two to three and on the long run-in. Got turned sideways at the first bend in the second semi-final on Saturday evening and yet still flew home behind Mineola Farloe. Westmead Hawk has the potential to be a wonder dog and if he steers clear of trouble still remains the one to beat on Saturday.

Trap 5: Mineola Farloe (M) – Seamus Graham’s second finalist who would dearly love to win the competition that many judges thought he should have 12 months ago. Has worked miracles with Mineola Farloe who had to run with five stitches in his foot during the early rounds. This greyhound possesses pace to get a good early position and could pose the biggest problem to Westmead Hawk as he moves across at the first bend.

Trap 6: Geldrops Touch (W) – Owen McKenna wants to emulate his father Ger’s achievement with Parkdown Jet (’81)and Lartique Note (’89). Geldrops has a plot draw as the only wide seed in the final and made up over six lengths on Ningbo Jack from the second bend in the semi-finals. It is not inconceivable that with four middle seeds inside him he will be able to turn a lot closer this time and his finishing strength will put him right in contention off the final bend.