NEWS ------ 2008

Saturday 23rd August

Elimination from the Champion Stakes for Nicola at Romford last night, as she runs her race but is beaten by better dogs.

Trap 4 isn't ideal - 6 is better - but although Nicola broke well enough, she ran wide off bend 2, and was never seen with a chance after, staying on to finish fourth but some way off that third qualifying place. Even in this the weakest heat, and having virtually a clear run, she was several lengths of the pace. And several more off the top dogs in some of the other heats.

Her calculated time was very similar to her last two races there, 36.31, and it is difficult to see what her best distance might be. Nicola seems to have one pace - which is good but short of top class - and it may well be that she wil stay further in time. However, her next engagement is likely to be over 4 bends, over Nottingham's 500 metre course.

Ruby has already trialled at Harlow, producing a fairly ordinary 26.94, but she is only 9 weeks out of season, and will need 2 or 3 more runs to be seen even approaching fitness.

Swift will have his first experience of Harlow in a trial tonight.

Wednesday 20th August

Good news as Nicola is accepted into the Champion Stakes at Romford which starts on Friday.

Even better news that she has a relatively straightforward first round heat, although she has to cope with a trap 4 draw. It isn't easy, but at least some other heats which would have been impossible to qualify from, have been avoided. A first-three finish is required to progress into the semi-finals the following Wednesday.

Ruby has made a return to track action, with a satisfactory sprint at Sittingbourne on Sunday. She will trial at Harlow on Saturday, as will Swift probably as there is no obvious race for him this week, and it will be interesting to see how he goes. Indeed, at this stage, it is difficult to predict which will go the quicker.

Sunday 17th August

At a packed Walthamstow last night, Swift failed by just a length and three-quarters to capture his first Open race win.

I say just but in reality he never really looked liked winning after moving wide from his trap 3 berth to be on the outside of the trap 6 runner at the first bend. Though he did so without contacting another runner. Making good headway down the back straight Swift closed in on the two leaders round bends 3 and 4, but couldn't reel them in, running on and finishing third in 29.12 (+20).

To be fair, Swift is not exactly the calmest dog on parade ever, and the massive noise, plus the 5 minute delay whilst children were removed virtually from the hare rail, and warnings about flash photography repeated (but ignored) cannot have helped. Plus it was a poor draw, showing that he needs 5 or 6 to be seen at his best. All in all, probably not a race or evening from which to judge too much about Swift's progress, though it does seem that he is a 6-bend dog in the making.

At least his defeat meant I didn't have to attempt to get from my position in the stand, down to trackside for a presentation, a feat which would have taken not less than 10 minutes.

Saturday 16th August

Droopys Nicola became the third magicgreyhounds dog to win an Open race last night, putting in a storming performance to take her 6-bend maiden contest in some style.

Not breaking as well as she can, Nicola was headed for several strides, but showed stunning early pace to take a clear advantage at the first corner. She maintained a 2 to 3 length lead throughout despite running a little wide off the bends, and her winning margin was still a healthy length and a quarter.

On a track mysteriously given .50 fast, this victory does not rate an improvement in last weeks calculated time of 36.27 seconds, but there seems little doubt Nicola is improving, and there could yet be a little more to come as she strengthens up further. She will be entered for the Champion Stakes at Romford next week, but even as seems possible she doesn't get in that £10,000 competition, she will be kept to 6-bend Opens at the Essex track for the time being.

At Walthamstow tonight, Swift has a chance of completing an excellent weekend double, on what still might be the final race-card at the 75 year old venue.

Wednesday 13th August

Swift has come out of his eventful trip to Nottingham OK, and makes a quick return to race action on Saturday at Walthamstow, likely to be the last night's racing at the track. On what could be an historic evening, he competes in a maiden Open race over 475 metres.

Just 24 hours earlier, Nicola also seeks to break her Open race duck as she again takes in a 575m contest at Romford.

Both are looking to join previous magicgreyhounds Open race winners Gurrane Spot, and of course Ruby, who may now trial at Sittingbourne on Sunday.

Spot's Open race-winning tally of 11 will take some beating, but the records of her and the current 3 dogs are at present as follows:

Spot: 11 wins. Highest rating 101.

Ruby: 1 win. Highest rating 116.

Swift: 0 wins. Rating 100.

Nicola: 0 wins. Rating 88.

Monday 11th August

A fourth-placed finish and elimination from the Caffreys Puppy Classic for Swift at Nottingham tonight, though that doesn't begin to tell the story of the race.

With three wide seeds, and two middle, and Swift drawn in trap 5, getting a run always looked difficult, and so it proved, with Swift finding trouble everywhere, but running his heart out in an effort to qualify.

A slight bump at the start was followed by a spectacular leap into the air at the first bend, as Swift attempted to avoid being the meat in the trap 4/6 sandwich. Then in last place, a clever piece of track-craft at the second bend, cutting inside, saw him move into fourth, and he made good progress down the back straight. However, at the third bend he was again virtually stopped in his tracks and, for the second time in the race, narrowly avoided getting on the floor.

Still not done with, Swift ran on again to take fourth place close home, beaten a total of 18 lengths, but only 6 lengths off the third-placed finisher, which had a completely clear run. It was the fastest of the 6 heats, and there is little doubt that with anything like a clear run, he would have qualified. Hopefully Swift will not have picked up any injuries, other than the inevitable bumps and bruises, and will be fit to run again in the next fortnight.

The next magicgreyhounds race action is likely to be at Romford on Friday, when it is hoped that Nicola will make it third time lucky and win her first Open race.

Friday 8th August

Relief at a much improved performance from Nicola tonight at Romford, as she runs on to take second place in a decent time.

Breaking well, and remaining close to the fast early pace, Nicola lost a bit of ground between bends 4 and 5, and dropped back to be only fourth, but ran on again close home to be beaten just over a length in a calculated 36.27 seconds.

This is 6 lengths better than a week ago (clear run each time) and logically there must be at least a little more improvement to come. She looked a completely different dog this week from last, staying on well to the pick-up, and on this showing will certainly win Open races over 6-bends. Nicola will return to Romford next week.

Attention turns to Swift on Monday night at Nottingham as he contests heat 5 of the 36-runner Caffreys Puppy competitition. A first three finish is needed to qualify for the semi-finals on the folllowing Tuesday. It is not beyond him, though there are plenty of quicker and more experienced dogs in the competition. Hopefully Swift will improve with each run.

Tuesday 5th August

Nicola will return to the venue of last week's defeat as she re-appears in a 575m maiden at Romford on Friday. This race looks perhaps a little easier, and hopefully she will have come on for her last run, so cautious optimism is the order of the day.

Swift trialled at Nottingham yesterday, and although the time wasn't great on a slow track, he narrowly beat two other good dogs from the kennel, coming from behind to do so having run wide at the first bend. He will be entered for the £7500 to the winner puppy competition which starts at the track next Monday.

Following the spate of recent retirements, these are the only two magicgreyhounds dogs racing at present, though Ruby may have a school or even a sprint trial as early as next week, as she returns from seasonal rest.

Saturday 2nd August

A disconcertingly dismal performance from Nicola at Romford last night as she failed to convince that her future lies over 6-bends after all.

A good start saw her challenging for the lead, with her and her rival some lengths clear of the remainder. But even before a circuit had been completed, Nicola started to beat a retreat - seeming even maybe to lose her action around the fourth bend - and she faded into fourth place, beaten some 5 lengths in 36.60 seconds.

Struggling almost too soon for the reason to be a lack of stamina, the most likely explanation is that she is feeling something. If that isn't the case, then it was a particularly disappointing run. At the very least, she seems devoid of middle pace, currently anyway.

Swift has come out of his troubled race fine, and will trial at Nottingham on Monday as planned.

Friday 1st August

No luck for Swift at Walthamstow last night in his debut Open race.

Making progress on the outside at the first bend after an only average break, Swift was nearly knoocked over as the trap 1 runner went straight on and carried traps 2 and 3 into him. Doing well to stay on his feet at all, he ran on to finish fourth, but beaten several lengths.

Hopefully he will not have picked up any injuries, though it wouldn't be the biggest surprise given the seriousness of the trouble. He is booked to trial at Nottingham on Monday as preparation for a puppy competition there.

Attention turns to Nicola at Romford tonight as she steps up to the 575 metres there. Although she has looked like she would need further, she hasn't trialled over the distance, so it will a pleasant surprise if she were to be competitive at this stage.

Thursday 31st July

Two more magicgreyhounds retirements at Reading last night, making four in three weeks.

Somewhat predictably, Sparkly Magic failed to take advantage of a final opportunity to show some interest, this time stopping at the pick-up, but a lap early. At two years of age he goes into retirement having never raced.

In a two-dog trial, Kynan Magic was led to the first bend by his rival. At this point, there are two possible versions of what happened. Either the other dog went lame (it was coming back from injury) and Kynan ran into it, knocking it over. Or, instead of just overtaking the dog on the inside Kynan decided to interfere with it, with the same result.

A calculated time of 18.50 tells very little, since he lost several lengths in 'dealing' with the other dog, but after consideration it has been decided that Kynan should join Spice, Kendra, and Sparky in looking for new homes.

More positive action hopefully over the next days as first Swift at Walthamstow tonight, and then Nicola at Romford on Friday, take in maiden Open race contests, the latter stepped up to the 6-bend 575m trip at the Essex track.

Thursday 24th July

Another visit to Reading, another retirement.

Bettyville Spice, due to have a sprint trial, failed to pass the Vets inspection last night, and has joined Kendra in retirement and looking for a home.

Kynan did at least manage to trial, and appeared to have run well, until the time of 18.20 seconds was announced, some 5 lengths off grading time. Fine after, this was an inexplicably slow trial, and in the absence of any explanation he will be tried again next week.

There is no plan yet on where Open racers Nicola and Swift will next appear, though the former may make her 6-bend debut at Romford next Friday.

Tuesday 22nd July

Massive disappointment as lightning confounds all known logic by striking twice in the same place on the same day.

Nicola was duly entered for the bitches-only competition at Hove, commencing on Thursday, only not to get in. Instead, she is named as first reserve of the wide seeds. Still very unlikely to compete, she now can't be entered anywhere else until it is known for certain that is the case. This is the first time this has happened to a magicgreyhounds dog, and it is both disappointing and frustrating.

Incredibly, just a few hours later, Swift suffers an identical fate following his entry into the Puppy Derby at Wimbledon. Failing to get in to the 36-runner competition, in a co-incidence that would be funny if it wasn't so gutting, he is also named as first reserve of the wide seeds.

Almost as if to compound the disappointment, Swift trialled at Wimbledon tonight (unfortunately after Saturday's races had been set) and produced a flying 27.82 second performance. Finishing close up in a three-dog trial, he beat a reputed £40k dog, and split two of the favourites for the competition itself. This is a great trial, and promises much for the future, but makes his omission from the prestigious £6000 competition hard to take.

Monday 21st July

Only a very average run from Nicola in her Maiden Open at Coventry yesterday, as she finishes third, beaten 8 lengths, after a clear run in 30.53 seconds for the 480 metres.

However, this is no less than expected after her time off, and she clearly needs a couple more outings before she will be seen at her best. Nicola is still to be entered in the Hove bitches-only competion which starts this coming Thursday, though there is no guarantee she will get in.

Swift is due to have his second Wimbledon trial tomorrow morning.

Thursday 17th July

A week of trials for 4 of the magicgreyhounds team, with some very mixed results.

Starting with the bad news, last night at Reading Kendra Magic saw track action for the final time, not breaking 31 seconds for the 465 metre trip, and coming off lame She has suffered a recurrence of her gracillus muscle injury, and has been retired. She will be found a home, and will make a great family pet. Kendra was out of Treaty Magic's second litter, and was easily the best of a rather poor bunch, running 31 races and winning 5, including 3 at Oxford in A3 grade.

After a handslip in the same trial session, Spice too came off looking a little sore, but is no worse this morning, and not as bad as she was after last weeks handslip. She will be tried again, and will have a sprint trial next week.

Nicola trialled again at Romford on Tuesday, and duplicated last weeks time, though after a bit of crowding. A change of plan means that rather than further trials, she will take in a 480m Maiden Open race at Coventry on Sunday. All being well after that, Nicola is to be aimed at a bitches-only £2500-to-the-winner competition over the 515 metres at Hove which starts on the 24th.

Swift had a 460 metres trial at Wimbledon yesterday morning, and produced easily the best result of this weeks action, recording a good 28.20 seconds, in doing so beating a Gymcrack puppy semi-finalist. Swift will trial again at Wimbledon next Tuesday before being entered for the £6000-to-the-winner Puppy Derby there, commencing on the 26th.

Wednesday 9th July

Disappointment at Walthamstow last night as Swift runs a poor race, albeit that he made it impossible for himself with his behaviour in the traps.

Playing around worse than ever, and banging his head on the trap door fully 5 seconds before they opened, he then missed his break completely. His early pace got him into position to be badly bumped at the first bend, and Swift was unable to get into contention after, finishing fourth, beaten 10 lengths. Though the odds-on winner did so by 7 and a half, in a fast 28.84.

Earlier in the day, just up the road at Romford, owner and trainer had an amicable but slightly different view of Nicola's first proper trial back after seasonal rest.

Running the track well on this first look, she recorded 24.87 seconds, which given that previous galloping and handslips at Ockendon should have improved her fitness, was certainly nothing special. Most decent Open racers would do 24.30 there with a clear run. Still, it is early days, and Nicola will have a couple of runs round the schooling track before trialling again. It is hoped that she will find the 6 or 7 lengths required, and be back on the Open-race circuit soon.

Monday 7th July

Satisfactory outings for Kendra and Spice at Reading on Saturday night, both coming unscathed from a sprint trial and handslip respectively.

Kendra will next have a 4-bend trial and, subject to achieving grading time, should be able to race towards the end of the month. Spice will need a couple of sprints before moving to 4-bend trials.

No decision yet on the future of Sparky, he is at the mercy of the racing office on whether he gets one last, final, chance to prove himself capable of racing.

Kynan will trial before returning to the racing strength before the end of July.

Tomorrow sees a trial for Nicola over 400 metres at Romford, as she returns from seasonal rest. She has been galloping well and should also have a race before month end.

Swift has a further graded race at Walthamstow tomorrow night, and after his latest immpressive P6 win it is not impossible he could follow up in an ordinary A5 contest.

Saturday 28th June

Swift took his record to three wins from seven races at Walthamstow last night as he overcame missing his break to power to victory in a much-improved time.

Running in a P6 graded contest on a card where there were also races at grades A6, A5, A4, A3, A2 and A1, Swift's winning time of 28.90 on normal going was the second-fastest on the night, with only the A2 winner going quicker.

Swift made up for his poor break from trap 5 with excellent early pace, and switching inside the trap 4 runner just before the first bend, came out ahead off the second. He drew clear down the back straight and was never in danger, finally coming home three lengths clear, in doing so improving his previous best time by over four lengths.

There is more to come from my most expensive purchase, his trapping for one can improve immensely, and it should not be long before he ventures onto the Open race scene.

Friday 20th June

Further defeat for Swift in an A6 contest at Walthamstow last night - his third in a row.

Seen to be playing around in the traps, he missed his break, and although he rode well a hefty bump at the second bend, he never really got into the race, and was beaten over 6 lengths in third place. True, the winning time of 29.03 was faster than some of the Open races on the card, but this was another disappointing performance from Swift. He is still very novicey, and needs to settle down a lot more before he can win again and further climb the grading ladder.

Meanwhile, plans for Ruby to race at Sunderland have been shelved as she is found to be in season. This is not as disappointing as it might seem, as this guarantees that she will be back well before the prestigious Oaks at Wimbledon in December. This being her ultimate target which, on the basis of her 27.57 victory there on Derby final night, she is not without a chance of success.

Sunday 15th June

A typical Kynan performance last night - missing his break and not finding a way through a wall of dogs at the first bend, and running wide into the straight to finish fourth.

Before racing, a satisfactory sprint trial for Kendra, was followed by a wretched 4-bend 2-dog trial for Sparky in which he stopped at the fourth bend. Having got well behind he was seemingly distracted by a previous triallist putting its head over the outer track wall. That may well have been his last chance and retirement is unfortunately very much on the agenda.

Saturday 14th June

Ruby chose last night at Romford to seriously miss her break for the first time, and paid the penalty in finding trouble everywhere to finish last.

Despite the slow start and first bend crowding, Ruby put herself in with a chance going down the back straight, but couldn't find a way through and was eventually beaten over five lengths. It cannot be said she has taken to Romford, and future options will be considered.

Tonight sees a further race for Kynan, and on paper his best chance yet of ending a long losing sequence.

Wednesday 11th June

Disappointing defeat for Swift at Walthamstow last night, not so much in the result but the manner in which he ran.

Always going to be led up by a recent Peterborough Open race winner on his inside, Swift surrendered further ground at the first bend by checking into it and failing to drive round as he should. Turning into the back straight a couple of lengths down, he showed pace to stay in touch with his rival, but ran bends 3 and 4 little better. Even though he ran on again in the home straight he still lost out on second place to a thorough stayer coming through late on, with Swift finally beaten one and three-quarter lengths in 29.08 seconds on a track rated .20 fast.

Swift looked as novicey as ever, and seemed not to chase hard unless he had a clear view of the bunny, including an incident soon after the line (not shown on the track replay) where he appeared to jostle another dog. He clearly has the overall pace to go several lengths quicker, and will surely improve with time, but this was not the most encouraging of performances.

It's same place same time for Ruby as she returns to Romford on Friday for a bitches-only Open race contest.

Saturday could see up to four magicgreyhounds dogs take to the track at Reading, as Kynan (race), Kendra and Sparky (sprint and 6-bend trials respectively) and Spice (handslip) are all on the possible agenda.

Sunday 8th June

A better race from Kynan at Reading last night as he finishes second, but beaten a long way by the runaway winner. Avoiding trouble on the outer at the first bend, Kynan stayed on well to record 17.36 seconds, which is about his normal time these days.

Before racing, Sparky had a further 4-bend trial and, although beaten, improved his time to 30.12, going on to get past the other dog on the run to the pick-up. Although he may well grade over 4-bends, all the signs are that he should certainly do so over 6, and he will trial over that distance as soon as possible.

The next magicgreyhounds race action will be Swift on Tuesday at Walthamstow.

Saturday 7th June

Defeat for Ruby on her first look at a damp Romford last night.

A fast break and good early pace (3.69 sectional) put her in a good position, but she was caught out by the first bend, not turning in as soon as she should, and the trap 5 runner on her outside cut across her. This cost her a couple of lengths, and she was unable to recover. She struggled a bit round bends 3 and 4 too, and Ruby will have benefitted from this experience of the track.

Beaten under 2 lengths in a calculated 24.55 after the crowding is still a good run, and the intention is for Ruby to return for a similar contest next week.

Thursday 5th June

The next magicgreyhounds dog in race action is Ruby at Romford tomorrow evening.

Drawing an unfavourable trap 4 slot, and on her first visit to the Essex circuit, those two negatives make her task quite difficult. Neverthless, her recent form is so strong that Ruby must still have a leading chance in the 400 metre bitches-only contest.

Saturday is expected to see Kynan's next race, and a critical trial for Sparky, as he is stepped up to 6-bends.

Both Kendra and Spice will be able to return to trialling back in the next fortnight after their various injuries, and recent seasons. Swift will continue with his Walthamstow graded racing experience, whilst Nicola will commence galloping towards the end of the month, after her season. There is then the potential for 7 magicgreyhounds dogs to race next month, but I think 5 would be a good result!

Monday 2nd June

Unexpected defeat for Swift today in his fourth race, an A6 contest at Walthamstow, coming up against a bitch out of season in the fastest race of the BAGS card.

Sent off the 5/4 favourite, and breaking well, Swift followed the eventual winner into the back straight and was plenty near enough if good enough. But although he drew level on the third bend, running wide into the home straight cost him his winning chance, and he went down by a length and three-quarters. The winning time was a good 29.04, and so even in defeat Swift has gone over 3 lengths quicker than he has before. He will continue to progress with experience.

Saturday 31st May

A thrilling and momentous evening as Scintillas Ruby secures her first Open race win in the most auspicious of circumstances, Derby Final night at Wimbledon.

Taking the magicgreyhounds Sky TV record to two wins and a second from three appearances, Ruby was never headed. Smartly away from the six box, she scorched to a stunning 3.73 sectional and left her more experienced rivals toiling in her wake. Two of her nearest pursuers bumped slightly at the third bend, which allowed Ruby to maintain a 2 length advantage entering the home straight. However, Droopys Mate, her conqueror from 11 days ago, came fast and late, and in the end Ruby held on only by the shortest of short heads, after yet another lengthy photo verdict.

The time was an excellent 27.57 which catapaults Ruby up the rankings, and she has little to fear from anything anywhere now, certainly not from her own sex. It looks for the moment that 460/470 metres is far enough for her, and she may well be kept to bitches-only races for now too.

So Ruby becomes only the second magicgreyhounds dog to win an Open, and her potential at just two years of age is enormous. Many thanks are due to Mark Wallis and his staff, and to those in Ireland who spotted Ruby's quality earlier in the year.

Swift has his next race at Walthamstow on Monday's BAGS card, and so can be seen in the betting shops at 16.18 that afternoon.

Thursday 29th May

A dismal and somewhat mystifying performance from Kynan at Reading last night as he slumped to another defeat - his fifteenth consecutive.

For once, he broke well and half way up the run-up in his 2-bend sprint had stolen a two length advantage on his field. This should have been enough but, surprisingly, by the first bend he was swamped by most of his rivals, was badly crowded, and ended up beaten 6 lengths in fourth place. So rare is it for Kynan to lead, it is hugely disappointing to see him unable to stay in front, and hard to see how he will ever win again, especially now back to sprinting only.

No trial for Sparky tonight - this hopefully will take place on Saturday.

Saturday does see the next race for Ruby, and it is back to Wimbledon for a bitches-only contest supporting the Derby final, in front of the Sky cameras again.

This is an even tougher race than that two weeks ago, containing the dog that beat her then plus, amongst others, the Wimbledon sprint track record holder, and Blonde Jeannie, current Oaks champion and winner of 27 Open races. Indeed, the field has won over 80 Opens between them. So it is a big ask for Ruby, still a maiden of course, but a great privilege to be in the race at all. In fact, many owners wait a lifetime for a moment like this, a runner on Derby final night, and I am immensely grateful for the opportunity.

Saturday 24th May

A career third race for Swift at Walthamstow tonight - a P7 contest where his opponents were all a month or two younger than my September 2006 puppy.

Slightly missing his break from trap 5, and showing only average early pace (5.04 sectional. race comment: slowly away) Swift was held out wide round the first two bends and turned into the back straight in no better than fourth position, a good 4 lengths adrift of the leaders. Here, however, he unleashed the back straight pace seen in his previous race, and this took him level with the leaders entering the third bend.

Unfortunately, at this point Swift was still on the outside of his two main rivals and, running wide into the home straight off the last bend, he seemed to have an impossible task. Running on very strongly though, he and the trap 1 runner crossed the line together. The photo verdict seemed to take forever, but it was trap 5 called, and Swift had won by a short head.

His winning time of 29.38 was only a length better than his previous run, but again the coming-from-behind nature of his victory suggests there is much more to come from the youngster. So Swift makes it two wins from two races in the month, and he will likely have a further graded contest in the next fortnight.

Kynan re-appears in a sprint at Reading on Wednesday, a night which should also see a critical 6-bend trial for Sparky.

Thursday 22nd May

A mixed evening at Reading last night, as neither magicgreyhounds dog in action was keen to leave the track after their respective exercise.

First, Sparky had a 4-bend trial he could have done without.

Against two rivals, he was of course slowly away. Half way up the run up, one of the other dogs went badly lame, got in Sparky's way, and finally stopped at the beginning of the second bend. This confusion left Sparky a long way adrift of the leader, but to his credit he continued to chase, completing some 15 lengths down, in a dire 31.50 seconds.

Worse to follow however as with the injured dog still on the track, the hare had to be stopped at the first bend. As this point Sparky didn't much like the look of the people running down the back straight towards him, so he ran back toward the traps, where he eluded a few more less-than-patient strangers until being virtually leapt upon to be caught.

How much all this will have set Sparky back remains to be seen, but for a dog so fragile mentally, it was substantially less than ideal.

Later, Kynan performed better than expected in what on paper looked a tough D2 sprint.

Breaking well, for him, he closed on the two leaders at the first bend, and not running as wide off the last as he often does, stayed on well to take second place, failing by just three parts of a length to snatch victory. Friendless in the market, and sent off at 10/1, this was a good effort from Kynan, although his time of 17.33 is around what he is normally capable of with a clear run.

However, egged on largely by Kynan, fitter perhaps from his recent 4-bend excursions, he and the other dogs refused to be caught at the pick-up, and did not one but two extra laps before, largely pretty tired, they came to a halt.

Swift has his next race on Saturday, a P7 contest in which he has a decent chance, but with improving puppies, anything might happen.

Wednesday 21st May

A much better run from Ruby last night, in front of the Sky cameras covering the Wimbledon Derby quarter finals, but she is yet to open her account, finishing second to a good, more experienced animal, running at the top of her game.

Moving slightly left from her trap 6 berth, Ruby contacted the trap 5 runner, and this minor bump was probably enough to prevent her taking an early lead. Nevertheless, she and the favourite, Droopys Mate, drew clear down the far side, but Ruby's rival, having fractionally more pace and the benefit of the inside of bends 3 and 4, pulled clear to win by nearly 4 lengths.

The winning time was impressive - 27.51 for the 460 metres - and Ruby's own 27.81 would have been good enough to win the puppy Open which immediately followed, won by recent undefeated Peterborough Puppy Derby winner Me Buddy, himself only a month younger than Ruby.

So this was another excellent performance, and it is surely only a matter of time before Ruby enters the winners enclosure.

Reading tonight sees a further 4-bend trial for Sparky, and a race for Kynan, a sprint of course after his latest minor infringement.

Swift is expected to be out at Walthamstow on Saturday.

Friday 16th May

Disappointing and comprehensive defeat for well-backed 6/4 favourite Ruby at Walthamstow late last night.

Although drawn in her favoured trap 6 slot, the other two wide seeds in traps 4 and 5 both moved out, leaving Ruby with little room to manoeuvre on the run up. Held out wide round the first two bends, she turned into the back straight in third place, but allowed the trap 5 runner room on her inside at the third bend, and fell back to finish only fifth, beaten 7 lengths. Trap 4 took a messy race in a calculated 28.84, a time Ruby should be more than capable of with a clear passage.

Still, this was useful experience, although she was unable to show her Wimbledon form. Ruby does however have an early opportunity to revisit that very track, as she is back in action at Wimbledon on Tuesday in a bitches-only contest over 460 metres. In doing so, she is the next magicgreyhounds dog in action too, as both Kynan and Swift await their next engagements.

Thursday 15th May

A productive trial session before racing at Reading last night, as two of the magicgreyhounds team took good steps towards racing.

First, Spice had a handslip which saw her do a complete circuit of the track, seemingly without ill effect. Unfortunately, this morning, she has joined Kendra and, of course, Nicola, in season, and will have the minimum required three weeks rest.

Sparky had a 4-bend trial with one other dog, and chased throughout. Badly beaten for early pace, he was soon 5 lengths adrift, but kept that margin to the end of the trial, recording an encouraging 30.49 seconds. He needs to find 7 lengths or so in order to grade over 4-bends, but this is not impossible. At least he is chasing now, and ran on right to the pick-up.

The manner of his trial, and how little it seemed to take out of him, confirm what we knew from Ireland - that he wants a real test of stamina to be at his best, whatever that might be.

Later tonight, at Walthamstow, Ruby has her best chance yet to win her first Open race, as she takes on maiden opponents over 475 metres. It's not an easy race, but her recent performances against stronger opposition, would appear to suggest she has a leading chance of opening her account.

If Ruby does manage to emerge victorious it will be a first Open race win since Gurrane Spot, the only magicgreyhounds Open race winner to date, won at Romford in September 2003, achieving a 4-timer in the process.

Wednesday 14th May

A fine victory for Swift at Walthamstow last night, not only in a good time, but also coming from behind and powering home to win by over 5 lengths.

Sent of the 5/2 favourite, Swift showed good speed to the bend, but from his trap 6 berth was wide on the track, and had to be content with third place entering the back straight, some three lengths off the lead. Here, however, he unleashed a stunning burst of pace to take him past the leaders by the third bend, and he then drew clear. Recording 29.43 this was a very promising first win in only his second race, and he will be fortunate to escape with only a single rise in grade for his next outing.

Friday 9th May

Running the best race of her short career, Ruby was agonisingly close to qualifying for the third round of the Derby at Wimbledon tonight.

Despite being slightly bumped at the start, she led the high-class field into the first bend and stayed in contention for second place to the last corner. Here Ruby was unable to keep pace with Scottish Derby winner Tyrur Kieran, and was overhauled on the run to the line by the strong finishing Lenson Express and Rocky Rocket. Ruby was just a short head and three-quarters of a length off the third place spot needed to progress.

Her sectional time was an impressive 4.92 seconds, bettered by a few dogs over the course of the eight heats this evening, but not by much, and only by top, established, Open race dogs. She recorded a useful 29.01 seconds for the 480 metre trip and, bearing in mind Ruby has only just turned two years of age, and just a month ago was having her final qualifying trial to race in the UK, she has made huge strides.

Ruby may go to Walthamstow next week for a one-off Open race.

Swift has his second race on Tuesday at Walthamstow and has been dropped into A8 grade, a level even given his inexperience he should be able to win in.

And as a postscript to Kynan's race at Reading last night, the Racing Office have advised that they will now only permit Kynan to compete in sprint races again, they having decided that he was to blame for the 'incident'.

Thursday 8th May

The narrowest of defeats for Kynan in his A7 contest at Reading tonight, with the jury out on whether contact between the two dogs just short of the line was Kynan's fault or that of his rival.

Kynan wasn't the first from traps but showed excellent early pace (5.65 sectional) to lead at the first corner, and stayed in front until running very wide off the last bend. At this point the trap 6 runner came wide to join Kynan on the outside of the track, and they bumped in the drive to the line. To be fair to Kynan, the bend is immediately after the winning line at Reading, and from his wide track position, he would have been turning into the bend at that point. Equally, there was a slight suggestion that Kynan had barged his rival unnecessarily. Either way, no action was taken, and he went down by a short head in the photo.

The winning time of 29.34 seconds was in keeping with Kynan's recent good trial, and so he has run his race. In this form, it should not be long before he will be winning.

Before racing, Kendra and Sparky had another sprint trial together, with an improved performance from the latter. Unsurprisingly, Kendra led and pulled clear, recording 17.31 seconds. But at no point did Sparky not chase tonight and, although beaten over 11 lengths, it was encouraging to see him keep his head down, especially in view of the distance he got behind. The plan was to put them both over 4-bends next week, but Kendra has chosen this moment to come into season. Sparky will have to trial with something else.

Tomorrow night at Wimbledon sees without doubt the strongest race any magicgreyhounds dog has ever competed in, as Ruby takes on some of the top dogs in Ireland and Britain in her second round Derby contest. Made a 50/1 outsider for the race, to say that she has it all to do to qualify would be an massive understatement, but anything can happen. She is however exceptionally well, and a big run is expected.

Monday 5th May

Ruby seems very likely to exit this years Derby a little after 8.45 on Friday evening, having had little luck in the second round draw, held today.

She now faces the new 8/1 favourite for the competition, Scottish Derby winner Tyrur Kieran, plus highly-fancied Advantage Johnny, not to mention class performers Toosey Blue and Lenson Express. Ruby does have trap 6, but with so much pace in the field appears to have little chance of being competitive. To illustrate, her first round time of 29.41 is eclipsed by the times recorded by some of her round two rivals: 28.78, 28.70, and 28.54.

It will be great to see Ruby in against such opposition, but it will take a minor miracle for her to qualify by finishing in the first three. She will be campaigned at a more appropriate level in the months ahead.

Elsewhere, the week should feature a hand-slip for Spice, further sprint trials for Kendra and Sparky, and races for Kynan and, on Saturday, Swift.

Saturday 3rd May

At the risk of infringing copyright, here are some of today's media comments on Ruby's race at Wimbledon last night:

"Catunda Harry is the new 10/1 favourite with the sponsors following his impressive victory in heat 10. His time wasn't overly impressive but the manner in which he burst through his rivals at the third bend after falling out of the traps will stay in the mind for quite a while and he looks like a dog that could easily post a serious time when he gets used to the traps at Wimbledon."

"We now have a new favourite for the Derby in Catunda Harry who managed to find more trouble than Amy Winehouse on a night out before powering home to take heat 10 in impressive style. The time was nothing to write home about (29.11) but sometimes you have to forget the clock and it was the manner in which he won that was so eye-catching and with it only being his third run round Wimbledon, then there's surely plenty of room for improvement – especially when he pings the lids."

"Catunda Harry, who took heat 10 the hard way (29.11sec), is also capable of smashing the (track) record. He was slow away, was in trouble, then he switched on the style and barged though the middle of the disputing Millions Girl and Scintillas Ruby. This is truly an old-fashioned ‘Derby dog', and worth catching on his next appearance."

Friday 2nd May

A great performance from Ruby at Wimbledon tonight as she finishes third and qualifies for the second round of the Derby. Sent off the 20/1 outsider in her heat, she belied that price with a powerful run against her more experienced opponents.

Amazingly, Ruby never looked in any danger great of not qualifying, as a smart break and strong early pace saw her in front at the first bend. On the outside and still vying for the lead round the third bend she could not contain the challenge on her inside of 1/4 favourite Catunda Harry, and she also succumbed to a late surge from Droopys Curbs, Dean Child's runner.

Beaten under 4 lengths, Ruby recorded 29.41, one of the slowest times to qualify on the night. Nevertheless, this was a very fine run and, regardless of what she does in round two, she clearly has a bright future on the Open race circuit.

Thursday 1st May

Relief as Kendra and Sparky both get to the finish line in their sprint trial at Reading tonight, albeit Sparky some 13 lengths adrift.

Kendra broke well from traps and recorded a good 17.39 seconds. Sparky only vaguely stopped chasing half way up the run-up, for a few strides, but stayed on after that right through to the pick-up. For him, it's a step in the right direction though clearly he needs to get into the chasing habit. For Kendra, blowing heavily afterwards, it was a promising result. The process, or something similar, will be repeated next week.

Kynan is alright after last nights race - just a recurring minor problem with a web, which will heal in time for his next run.

All attention now turns to Ruby at Wimbledon late tomorrow night, and at last the fulfillment of the ambition to have a runner in the world's premier competition, the Derby. She is very well, and ready to give it her best shot, all that can be asked of her.

Wednesday 30th April

A second last place in 24 hours as Kynan meets as much trouble in his race at Reading tonight, as Swift did at Walthamstow last.

Kynan also seems to have picked up a minor toe injury, which will need checking in the morning. On a saturated track he ran well but got no luck anywhere behind the always led 29.11 winner. He slightly missed his break, was crowded on the run up, but still recorded a 5.72 sectional, which augurs well for the future. And of course, Kynan should come on for this his first 4-bend race for 18 months, and his first action for 3 weeks. Hopefully he will be fit to race again next week.

Back to Reading again tomorrow night as Kendra and Sparky have a sprint trial together. This will be a nervous one, and I'm not sure which is of greater concern: Kendra not staying sound, or Sparky not chasing and, this not being a solo trial, getting himself disqualified.

Tuesday 29th April

Defeat for Swift at Walthamstow tonight, as he showed all of his inexperience in a mistake-ridden race. Beaten 5 lengths in last place, Swift missed his break, and was bumped at every bend, often his fault. He showed some pace, but patently failed to cope with the other 5 dogs around him. He will learn and improve over the coming weeks.

Eyes on Kynan at Reading tomorrow, as he races over 4-bends for the first time since his disqualification at Oxford in October 2005.

Monday 28th April

Ruby appears in heat 10 of the Derby, to be run over 480 metres at Wimbledon on Friday night, at 10.15pm.

As the only wide seed in the race, and therefore well drawn in trap 6, Ruby has to contend with one of the co-favourites of the competition, Catunda Harry, but other than that it is by no means the strongest heat. In trap 5 is Nicola's trainer Dean Childs only Derby entrant, Droopys Curbs.

Four from the six will qualify for the next round and, although she has to improve on anything she has done so far, Ruby must have a fair chance of going through. Her recent 460m trial puts her within a couple of lengths of three of her rivals.

Also racing this week is Kynan, mysteriously up to grade A6 at Reading , having missed his last intended contest in grade A7. The result of this absurdity means he appears to have very little chance.

Kendra and Sparky are expected to have a sprint trial together at some point, but it will be Swift who starts the magicgreyhounds week with his debut race at Walthamstow tomorrow night.

Friday 25th April

Ruby trialled tonight at Wimbledon, over 460 metres, in a two dog trial with long-time Derby favourite Barnfield On Air!

Amazingly, she was able to keep within a couple of lengths of the multiple track record holder until the third bend, before fading to go down by six and a half lengths. Barnfield's winning time was a very good 27.49. But on a track rated .15 fast, Ruby has managed a calculated 28.15 seconds, and she may still have been feeling the effects of her hard race just 3 nights ago.

This was an excellent trial by Ruby and although still very inexperienced and puppy-ish, she fully deserves her crack at the biggest competition there is. The draw will be made this Sunday, and the first round is now only either Friday or Saturday next week, so Ruby has a full week to recover from recent exertions.

Swift has his first race on Tuesday at Walthamstow, an A7 graded contest, in which he has every chance of getting off the mark at the first attempt.

Thursday 24th April

A short break in the race action, before next week features a number of firsts.

Tuesday should see Swift make his race debut in a graded contest at Walthamstow, whilst Wednesday should see a slightly-delayed return to 4-bend racing for Kynan at Reading. But the real excitement will be toward the end of the week as Scintillas Ruby becomes the first magicgreyhounds dog to compete in the Derby at Wimbledon.

Ruby takes her place alongside just 139 other hopefuls in the first round, which is spread over 3 nights from Thursday next. The unusually low entry for the £100,000 competition means that all of the 24 first round heats will have 4 dogs going forward to the second round a week later. Ruby will trial at Wimbledon before the competition starts. Given her inexperience, the 300/1 on offer from sponsors Blue Square seems a short enough price. But it will great to have a runner, and maybe even get to round two.

Nicola would also have been a Derby entry, but has come into season, and will not return to track action before July.

Meanwhile, the remaining trio of race dogs continue to gallop. Kendra is virtually ready for a sprint trial, and the plan is that Sparky will accompany her. Hopefully he will chase, if not the bunny, then at least Kendra! Spice will need a couple more gallops before being ready for a handslip at the track.

Tuesday 22nd April

Unlucky defeat for Ruby at Walthamstow tonight, finishing fourth, and elimination from the Ocean Trailers competition.

Drawn in trap 5 between two fast starters, including the widely touted Lethal Freddie, she nevertheless led to the bend. Here though, running slightly wider than was necessary, she allowed the trap runner up on her inside. Turning in on that runner at the start of the second bend Ruby got a bump which lost her 2-3 lengths at least, and cost her any chance. Though she still ran on only to be just over a length off second place at the winning line.

Although disapppointing to see her in with a chance (20/1 was available in the betting ring) and then not qualify for the final, this was a run full of potential from Ruby, and she will learn greatly from the experience.

Friday 18th April

Ruby has her race in the semi-finals of the Ocean Trailers Puppy Stakes on Tuesday and I guess can count herself lucky to have avoided all 6 of the heat winners. Nevertheless she is by some margin the slowest dog in her contest on known form, and it will take a major upset if she is to finish in the first two and qualify for the final. Still, the event will have been good experience and a bright Open race future beckons.

Kendra and Spice both galloped yesterday, with Sparky accompanying both of them. All went well, and Kendra is sufficiently forward to have a sprint trial at Reading next week. Spice will gallop again, as will Sparky, though he too will see track action in the near future.

Thursday 17th April

Mixed fortunes for magicgreyhounds two runners at Walthamstow tonight, but one gets through to the semi-finals of the competition.

Nicola did the second-fastest sectional in her race (a good 4.97) but was very badly baulked at the second bend, losing several lengths, and could only finish fifth. Only the winner escaped the trouble, recording a smart 28.70 seconds. Nicola appeared none-the-worse for her latest piece of crowding, but will be checked over in the morning, and her next race planned.

In the next heat, Ruby was not especially well away (5.08 sectional) but got herself into the race as three of her rivals bumped on the run up. In second place down the back straight, Ruby faded somewhat coming home, and only held on to third place by a diminishing half length. She qualifies, but is virtually the slowest of the 18 dogs to do so with her calculated 29.53 clocking.

Although she will undoubtedly come on for this her first race in the UK, Ruby has it all to do to progress into the final. Only two go through from each of Tuesday's three semi-finals, and several dogs have already broken 29 seconds, or are capable of doing so.

Wednesday 16th April

Already a reduction in action tomorrow night as Kynan is withdrawn from his intended race. He has a minor toe injury (unconnected with his previous dislocation) and needs a few more days for the soreness to wear off.

At Walthamstow, Swift was bumped in running in his final qualifying trial, achieving a calculated 29.65 seconds. He should race next week.

Wednesday 16th April

As many as six of the magicgreyhounds team could be in some form of action tomorrow. Kendra, Spice and Sparky are expected to gallop, whilst there are races for Kynan, Nicola and Ruby.

At Reading, Kynan has his first 4-bend race for 18 months and, on the basis of his recent trial, has a chance of performing well in his A7 contest. Equally, this being Kynan, anything could happen. Hopefully this will be the fresh re-start to a successful race career, after his various trials and tribulations.

Walthamstow sees the start of the Ocean Trailers Puppy Stakes, worth £2500 to the winner. Nicola has drawn trap 6 in heat one, and Ruby emerges from the same box just 12 minutes later in heat two of the six. Three dogs from each heat go forward to three semi-finals the following Tuesday.

Both Nicola and Ruby have decent chances of progressing, with no rival yet having broken 29 seconds for the 475 metres, though they will have to be sharp at the boxes and not make major errors in running.

Later today, Swift has his final qualifying trial at Walthamstow, and all being well should be racing next week.

Friday 11th April

Fourth place only for Nicola in her Open race at Walthamstow last night. Up against some progressive puppies, she could not get to the front at the first bend from her trap 5 berth. Running wide throughout, she went down by just 2.5 lengths, looking like she needs further already. A calculated 29.13 is not bad though further improvement is expected.

She will join Ruby in being entered for the Ocean Trailers competition, which starts next Thursday at Walthamstow.

Prior to that, Kendra, Spice and Sparky are expected to have gallops as they return to fitness, or in Sparky's case learn to chase! And it may well be that on Wednesdsay Kynan makes a return to 4-bend racing at Reading, and on that same day Swift is due his final qualifying trial at the 'Stow.

Wednesday 9th April

A busy day as three of the team have 4-bend trials.

At Walthamstow, Ruby wins her final qualifying trial in a calculated 29.18 seconds, whilst in the same session Swift achieves 29.76. Both times more than satisfactory for their level of fitness / experience.

At Reading, Kynan is tried over the 465m trip and astounds owner and trainer alike in producing a 29.19 (.20 fast) trial win, several lengths quicker than expected or for that matter required. He will now race over the distance, but has given himself a difficult task in possibly A6 grade.

Tomorrow night, Nicola races at Walthamstow in a puppy Open, and all being well both she and Ruby will be entered in next weeks Ocean Trailers Puppy Stakes.

March 2008

Welcome back to a re-launched magicgreyhounds.

As you can see from the review below from 18 months ago, after a difficult time without great success, much was riding on the careers of Kynan Magic and Kendra Magic.

In the end it was Kendra which proved the more successful of the two, winning three times in A3 grade at Oxford for trainer Dean Childs.

Kynan though was soon disqualified for (very!) aggressive interference following just one Oxford success.

Neither dog was able to reach Open class, and the costs and lack of runs and wins, meant I was very close to winding down the operation.

However, further ambitious investments have been made, with dogs at two of the country's leading trainers, Mark Wallis and Dean Childs, and it is hoped that the next couple of years will bring both Open race successes and some much-needed prize money.

Kynan Magic, and Kendra Magic pictured at the Ockendon kennels of former handler Dean Childs. Both are now trained at Reading by Kath Smith.

August 2006 and magicgreyhounds 254th race as Kynan Magic becomes the 11th dog in seven and a half years of competitive action to carry the flag for the team.

The debut at Reading in early 1999 of my first dog Belevdere Robin, has been followed in turn by Julien Angel, Castle Rolo, Treaty Magic, Tuffy, Gurrane Spot, Elbony Bella, Julien Solo, Cartoon Kids and Kendra Magic.

Bella and Solo had only one race each, the former being sold, and the latter eventually retiring after it, and of the total of 254, Robin had 111 races, still well ahead of Spot with 47 and Rolo with 38.

Kendra, of course, should soon be adding to her total of 2 runs.

Only the ill-fated Gurrane Spot has so far won Open Races for me, under the trainer-ship of Linda Jones, and so it is with some poignancy that this evening sees the race debut of her son Kynan from Spot's only litter of four. If he can be as good as his mum it will be a huge bonus, but it is nevertheless great to see him compete, and at such a young age.

Kendra is the daughter of my former racer Treaty Magic, from which the name of this site, and dog name suffix, originate, so both current race dogs have ancestry in the magicgreyhounds team.

Since beginning the enterprise, the races per year figure has fluctated wildly from a peak of 60 in year 2001, and 52 in 2002 when 6 different dogs competed, falling off badly to 6 in 2004, and 17 in 2005, and so far only 2 races this year. However, with both Kynan and soon Kendra raring to go, this hopefully will change.

Best dogs for wins to runs ratio are Spot and Tuffy tied on 35%, though with most of Spot's wins being in Opens she is easily the most successful racer I've had so far.

Overall, 37 graded races, and Spot's total of 11 Open Race wins, give a win/run percentage of 19%, more or less what you would expect from a largely graded campaign.

With races and wins being rare occasions in the last 2 years, I have said for some time that magicgreyhounds can only continue if either Kendra or Kynan are significantly successful. The last 3 years have been very expensive and whilst this was never a money-making scheme, the series of misfortunes over time do tend to impact on both the enthusiasm and financial will to continue.

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