Fear Zafonic crashes out of the English Derby
Last year's Greyhound of the Year Fear Zafonic's English Derby dream ended abruptly in the second round last night - after a modest start, he was badly bumped twice and then stumbled. Can his trainer Charlie Lister still be victorious?
The four-time Derby winning handler may have taken an early blow with the elimination of Zafonic but still holds onto ante-post leader Bandicoot Tipoki, who’s also the new track record holder at Wimbledon’s 480m.
Tipoki ran in heat eight last night and was quick away to fire an instant replay of last week’s performance. The 4-6 favourite made a trap two start and clocked 28.35secs to beat Pat Buckley’s Slick Robert by three lengths.
He was again hugely impressive by the way he raced clear (4.81 sectional) and he at least gave his trainer some joy after his earlier disappointment with Zafonic. Lister qualified two out of his four runners last night and has chances to add to the list after tonight’s second set of second round qualifiers.
It’s always hard to make a prediction at this stage of the competition with so many races still remaining but Lister has certainly stolen the spotlight from Champion trainer Mark Wallis and if his pack can continue to perform well, then he may be victorious for the fifth time.
List of qualifiers:
Heat 1 – 07/05/2010 – 20:00
1. Tranquil Time (3-1) – 28.48secs
2. Moveit Jamie (6-4F) – 28.55secs
3. Eye Onthe Tempo (10-1) – 28.91secs
Heat 2 – 07/05/2010 – 20:15
1. Westmead Scolari (9-4F) - 28.52secs
2. Courtcraft Jamie (12-1) – 28.86secs
3. Head Iton Ellis (5-2) – 28.91secs
Heat 3 – 07/05/2010 – 20:30
1. Judicial Pause (9-4F) - 28.63secs
2. Raving Black (7-2) – 28.91secs
3. Rainham Giles (16-1) – 28.92secs
Heat 4 – 07/05/2010 – 20:45
1. Krug Ninety Five (6-1) - 28.63secs
2. Sparklee Bernie (10-1) – 28.69secs
3. Kerrs Destiny (50-1) – 29.24secs
Heat 5 – 07/05/2010 – 21:00
1. Roo Come On (10-1) - 28.52secs
2. Tyrur Speedy (5-2F) – 28.67secs
3. Micky Robbie (6-1) – 28.86secs
Heat 6 – 07/05/2010 – 21:15
1. Farloe Skywalker (6-1) - 28.50secs
2. Glenard Sunrise (5-2) – 28.52secs
3. Barefoot Bullet (4-5F) – 28.63secs
Heat 7 – 07/05/2010 – 21:30
1. Mesedo Blue (7-4F) - 28.39secs
2. Ministry Magic (4-1) – 28.54secs
3. Oran Classic (4-1) – 28.62secs
Heat 8 – 07/05/2010 – 21:45
1. Bandicoot Tipoki (4-6F) - 28.35secs
2. Slick Robert (12-1) – 28.59secs
3. Bubby Totti (12-1) – 28.74secs
The second round continues tonight from 19.30 and should provide some entertaining races for the crowd at Wimbledon. Scottish Derby winner Nambisco in particular will be the one I’m keen to see running as he is the only dog in the competition that stands a chance to make history of landing the £1m triple crown offered by Bettor.com.
You have got to feel for the connections of each dog in this race, four winners and two second-placed (both beaten by a short-head) from the first-round races line up in an ultra competitive heat where three will crash out. If Nambisco can see himself through, then I could certainly see him coming between Lister’s plans.
The draw for next Saturday's third round will be made after the last race at Wimbledon tonight. It’s the final chance to alter seedings.
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