TheGreyhoundLord

The Lord reflects on a dramatic, star-studded night in Dublin, Fear Zafonic set for Yarmouth and Derby switch likely after football clash. All this and much more from the Lord's Greyhounds News.

"Who can stop Fear Zafonic claiming a second Betfair-backed East Anglian Derby final at Yarmouth?"
Tyrurs set for Wimbledon

PJ Fahy famously doesn't fly, but the family were flying high on Saturday night after landing a second one-two in the Irish Derby final at Shelbourne Park. Just three years after cousins Tyrur Rhino and Tyrur Laurel won for Fahy and trainer Paul Hennessy, trap-to-line winner Tyrur McGuigan led home litter-brother Tyrur Big Mike to rewrite history. The pair are trained by PJ's 22-year-old son, Conor.
Now the popular Galway-based family are setting their sights on Wimbledon in the summer of 2011.

Previously, the Fahy-owned dogs have been trained in England by Charlie Lister but it is almost certain that Conor Fahy, having taken his licence out in February, could take both of the brothers to London next year where they could take on Droopys Oscar and Rayvin Giovanni. Seamus Cahill's kennelmates currently top the betting at 16.0.

But whatever happens, the family will never forget September 11, 2010. It was a huge night in Dublin with a bumper crowd, including many visitors from the UK, and with 120,000 euros up for grabs in the final, the roar as the traps opened raised the roof.

Punters might have been dismayed to see the lesser fancied Tyrur strike gold, but the runner-up had every chance, although a missed break cost him dear. Irish prime minister Brian Cowen was guest of honour, while included in the crowd were a number of horseracing personalities, having arrived fresh from the big Curragh meeting. Jim Bolger was spotted among the diners.


Zafonic's in Derby pole

Who can stop Fear Zafonic claiming a second Betfair-backed East Anglian Derby final at Yarmouth? That's the big question facing punters after another demolition job from Charlie Lister's star in Saturday's semi-finals.

Already bettering the track record in the event, Fear Zafonic is now a 1.53 chance to strike gold in the Sky-covered decider and claim an 11th Yarmouth Derby victory for Lister. The final is the feature of an eight-race card on Sky on Thursday, starting at 7.30pm.

Derby clash on the cards

Greyhound racing's schedulers face some tough decisions when it comes to finding dates for the Derby in 2011. This week's fanfare for the Champions League resumption has confirmed that Wembley will host the final of European soccer's biggest competition on May 28.

If the format next year follows recent years that will be the date for the Derby final at Wimbledon.

"It's ironic that Wembley use to stage greyhound racing itself, now it's going head-to-head with Wimbledon. Never mind the TV clash, but the fact is there's not many miles between the two," said one source.

"Will they go head-to head with football, or perhaps switch the final to a week earlier of later, or maybe have the race on a Friday. Anything is possible these days."

Rover ready to lift Sheffield crown

Crown Rover was the quicker of the two semi-final winners of the Tri Distance event at Sheffield on Tuesday. The event concludes with a live-on-Sky final on Tuesday and will see the runners, having run heats over 480m and semi-finals over 500m now run over 660m in the decider in a unique event.

Trained by Jimmy Wright, Crown Rover will be joined by kennelmate Wilfy Wells as the Scottish handler looks to launch a real effort to get into the top six in the Trainer of the Year Standings - the top six handlers compete in the 2011 Betfair Trainers' Championship meeting.

Droopys Arshavin won the other semi-final, just three spots slower than Crown Rover, and already a prolific six-bend winner, connections will be hopeful of another mighty run come the extra distance next week.

The money has come for Tyrur Big Mike as the third leg of greyhound racing's triple crown - the Irish Derby - gets under way

"Tyrur Big Mike has been the subject of sustained support in the lead up to the Irish Derby and punters will not have to wait long to see for Conor Fahy's dog, who goes on the first of three nights of first-round-action."

Eyes down for the Irish Derby, which kicks off on Thursday, Friday and Saturday this week.
The third leg of greyhound racing's triple crown, some 140-plus entries are going for gold in the richest race around - and the betting suggests the 550 yards event is as wide open as ever.
There is no College Causeway in the line-up after the great dog's retirement, but quality abounds, especially in the Champion Stakes first and second, Makeshift and Tyrur Big Mike.

Tyrur Big Mike has been the subject of sustained support in the lead up to the Irish Derby and punters will not have to wait long to see for Conor Fahy's dog, who goes on the first of three nights of first-round-action.
For good measure, Champion Stakes winner Makeshift, trained by Dolores Ruth, also goes on the first night where he tackles evergreen bitch Skywalker Queen, twice an Irish Oaks finalist and winner of the bitches' Classic in 2009.
Dundalk International Definate Opinion, who missed the Champion Stakes in favour of going straight to the Derby, runs for Pat Guilfoyle in Friday's batch of heats, while star of the show on Saturday looks to be Shaneboy Lee and much-touted Tyrur Lohan.
UK interest this year is based around the likes of Liz McNair's 2009 English Oaks champion Shaws Dilemma, and a host of former UK-based runners, including the likes of Farley Blitz, Westmead Logan, Westmead Grant and the 2009 Derby champion Kinda Ready.


Rotar Wing has done something few thought likely by qualifying for the final of the Peterborough Derby.
With no Jimmy Lollie around, Rotar Wing would be champion sprinter but trainer David Pruhs took the decision to step up his star performer to a short four bends.
He is not blessed with huge stamina, but did well to qualify after not even leading in his semi-final and connections will be hoping for a smash break come Saturday's decider.
However, leading the opposition to the local hope will be two runners from in-form Seamus Cahill's kennel, Tearaway John and Fierce McHugh. as the Kent-based handler looks to improve his Trainers' Championship standing. Read on.


Seamus Cahill drew level with Mark Wallis in the Trainer of the Year tussle after landing the Puppy Derby final with Rayvin Giovanni at Wimbledon on Tuesday.
And the winner, together with kennelmate Droopys Oscar, already gives Cahill a huge hand in the betting on the 2011 Derby!
Plans for the pair now include the Puppy Classic at Nottingham for Droopys Oscar and the Northern Puppy Derby at Newcastle for Rayvin Giovanni.


Greyhound racing's ruling body could be heading for a clash over prize-money with the GRA.
It follows the decision of the Birmingham track to stage opens worth just £125 each.
The races do not count for Trainers' Championship points and one handler yesterday called for other trainers to boycott such events.
"There should be an industry-minimum of £150. That's the level needed for Trainers' Championship points and it's disgraceful that opens can be allowed to stage for such pitiful sums.
"There are graded races at some of the better tracks that offer better prize-money, and what this says about the GRA's treatment of those who work in the sport is just laughable.
"They should be told by the GBGB now that they can't do it again."


Yarmouth begins the countdown to the Betfair East Anglian Derby with heats of the Challenge on Monday.
It kicks off a busy period for the go-ahead track - the new home of champion trainer Mark Wallis who is now supplying runners there - with a six-week-long festival leading to the £20,000 gala final night, backed by Betfair, on Thursday, September 16.