Racing Post Juvenile champ Blue Artisan trains under Owen McKenna for the Ladbrokes.com Irish Derby
Racing Post Juvenile champion, Blue Artisan, is going to run in the Ladbrokes.com Irish Derby at Shelbourne Park that kicked off last Thursday, under the mentorship of greyhound trainer, Owen McKenna, according to Harry Williams.
Harry Williams, current trainer of Blue Artisan, said, “Owen can start settling him in and getting him ready for the Irish Derby”.
He elaborated on how both he and Williams felt that the dog would run well at Shelbourne Park with its ‘long straights and tight bends’.
He discussed the itinerary which includes him taking Blue Artisan to Dublin this weekend so McKenna can start preparing him for the Derby.
McKenna also sounded excited at this opportunity as he said, “I’ve always thought he was a good greyhound and I’m delighted he’s coming over”.
McKenna said that he would try to familiarise Blue Artisan with the track so that he is fully aware of it when he runs the Derby.
Blue Artisan, son of Droopys Maldini and Poolie Pride, is a good runner especially when he starts off fast like he did at the Gymcrack at Hall Green in 2010, where he outran Blonde Snapper.
He had a remarkable start to his career in November 2009 as he won his first three races in a row, all against Black Nun.
At the Williamhill.com Derby at Wimbledon he performed well again, making it to the quarter-finals.
However things have not looked so good for him in the recent past as he was eliminated from the Williamhill.com Classic at Sunderland right after the pre-competition trial, preventing him from participating in even the first round of the Classic.
In fact that race at Wimbledon in May was the last race he won. Ever since then he has finished second, twice, and fourth, once, which is why he needs this Derby to prove his strength as a runner.
This is not just a brilliant opportunity for Blue Artisan as he will be tutored by a well experienced trainer but also for McKenna who has lost a few great potential Irish Derby winners due to injury problems with the dogs.
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