At Wimbledon (over 480 metres):[3] Position Name of Greyhound Breeding Trap SP Time Trainer 1st Pagan Swallow Black Earl - Acres of Apples 5 9-1 29.04 Philip Rees Jr. (Wimbledon) 2nd Jack the Hiker Oran Jack - Killone Hiker 3 10-1 29.08 Matt O'Donnell (Ireland) 3rd Carrigeen Chimes Brilliant Chimes - Best Away 6 11-2 29.10 Gary Baggs (Ramsgate) 4th Walstone Limerick Echo - Drawn Near 1 3-1 29.26 John Copplestone (Portsmouth) 5th Smokey Pete Smokey Flame - Smokey Cotton 2 8-11f 29.30 Kenny Linzell (Walthamstow) 6th House Hunter Tiger Jazz - Brass Tacks 4 20-1 29.34 Gunner Smith (Hove)Competition
Report
Fearless Champ started as the 10-1 ante post favourite followed by Pall Mall Stakes champion Hong Kong Mike (12-1) and Daleys Gold (14-1).[5] Ballyregan Bob bypassed the event due to the fact that the distance of the race was considered too short.
Wimbledon's standard distance was 460 metres so a new distance of 480 metres was created for the 1985 Derby. This meant that track records would be set and beaten and the first to break the record went to Bertie Gaynor’s Lloydsboro Flash in 28.71. Three races later tFearless Champ from the De Mulder kennels recorded 28.66. On the final night of qualifying Morans Beef recorded 28.60. [6]
In round one Hong Kong Mike and Rugged Mick won well but the following night weather conditions played a big part in the elimination of Fearless Champ when heavy rain contributed to his exit. Morans Beef, Daleys Gold, Ballintubber One and Smokey Pete all progressed from wet heats.[6]
Morans Beef won his second round heat to remain unbeaten but chipped a bone in his foot and was eventually withdrawn and retired to stud. Smokey Pete caught leader Daleys Gold to win his heat and Keeper Tom won a race that ended with Laurels champion Amenhotep sustaining severe cuts. Hong Kong Mike, Ballintubber One and Rugged Mick all went out.[6]
Daleys Gold won his quarter-final by ten lengths missing a melee that saw Keeper Tom finish third but go lame and add his name to the list of casualties. The other quarter-final heat winners were Minestrone, Clod Hopper and Smokey Pete.
Daleys Gold and One to Note vied for the lead in the first semi-final before bumping caused them to lose ground meaning Walstone, House Hunter and Jack the Hiker all qualified. The remaining semi-final saw Smokey Pete outstay Pagan Swallow and Carrigeen Chimes.
Smokey Pete lined up for the final at odds of 8-11 favourite. Jack the Hiker and Carrigeen Chimes challenged for the lead throughout until Pagan Swallow came with a late run to take the victory. Smokey Pete had found crowding and finished a disappointing fifth. A Wimbledon greyhound had won the first Derby that they had hosted with the Rees family becoming the second father and son to each win the Derby. On the supporting card both Ballyregan Bob and Scurlogue Champ eased to twelve and ten length victories respectively
Morans beef was McKennas. The weather that year in the heats was atrocious, absolutely hammered it down. I remember Count Five & Lauragh Six going out at long odds on (both McKennas), amongst others.
Morans beef was McKennas.The weather that year in the heats was atrocious, absolutely hammered it down.I remember Count Five & Lauragh Six going out at long odds on (both McKennas), amongst others.
I was at that final, I bet Smokey Pete, went to look at the dogs in the kennels, that was when you could view them through the glass ,I think from the bar area, if it wasn't for being the derby final, you would have thought Smokey was doped, it looked lifeless but I still bet it, ran lifeless too, the bit is it won the Edinburgh Cup, hadn't a bean on it.luckily though that's when I saw Ballyregan Bob, never really thought about the dog before but that run really got me thinking, this was some dog, it beat the future St Leger winner by a street, i've seen all the top dogs since the T V trophy was on the BBC from the start, Chantilly Lace etc. and all the Derby winners live and on the T V, but that run was awesome.. cheers.
I was at that final, I bet Smokey Pete, went to look at the dogs in the kennels, that was when you could view them through the glass ,I think from the bar area, if it wasn't for being the derby final, you would have thought Smokey was doped, it looke
Just realised I was there that night, went with the connections of the One dog in the Final from my old stamping
ground Portsmouth. Still got my Racecard ...
Just realised I was there that night, went with the connections of the One dog in the Final from my old stamping ground Portsmouth. Still got my Racecard ...