Its all doom and gloom at the moment with both Johnny and Star picking up injuries in the last week. Advantage Johnny was sent off 4/7F in the heats of the Pride of the West but came away from the traps very awkwardly and as a result has a pulled muscle that will keep him out of action for three weeks.

Topstar Honcho qualified for the Semi-Finals of the Laurels and was due to contest them on Thursday, but due to his performance in the heats both myself and Lance thought it would be precautionary to get him checked over and after a visit to see Simon Gower at Swindon it has been confirmed he has picked up an injury that means he cannot run in this weeks Semi-Final at Belle Vue and will be off the track for around 3 to 4 weeks.

It is nothing too serious but enough to require him to be withdrawn from the competition and whilst it is disappointing, that as they say is dog racing!

This week we go into action on Wednesday evening with Advantage Martti in a graded event at Coventry, Advantage Johnny runs in the heats of the 'Pride of the West' also on Wednesday at Swindon and then on Thursday we go to Belle Vue where Topstar Honcho lines up in heat 3 of the £10,000 Betfred Laurels.

The races of Martti and Star can both be viewed over the internet at www.24dogs.com , whilst the 'Pride of the West' makes up part of Swindon's Wednesday evening BAG's card, so Johnny's race will be screened live via SIS in all the high street bookmakers.

Lance, Pam and all the team do a sterling job for us and we would like to take this opportunity to wish them and the dogs all the best for what will hopefully be a busy and exciting couple of weeks or so for them and all our members at Category 1 Greyhounds.

It was great to see so many of our members at Coventry last night with over 20 people joining us for a superb nights racing. Whilst results might not of gone our way and Lance clocked a total of four seconds from six runners, something he tells me he has never managed before as he usually gets at least one winner!!!, It was good to see some of our current and new members get to meet and speak with one another and make new acquaintances and hopefully freindships through this great sport that is Greyhound racing.

So on to the racing, well Martti found more trouble after showing real good pace to the bend but as I said to some of our members, I was concerned at his draw and unfortunately that concern was justified, he seems to have come off sound after the race and Lance will check him over today just to see if all is well. Providing he is in good shape he will be back racing again this week but a better draw would be required to see young Martti in a better light.

Advantage Johnny was beaten a neck in second and ran a fair enough race, Lance is going to decide where we go next with Johnny but I know he has his eye on a couple of things and we will just see how the next week or so pans out, but he will be back on the racetrack in this next week I would think with possibly a return to Coventry on the cards

Topstar Honcho clocked a very useful 29.56, but again did'nt come away like he can and although he turned second and despite his efforts he got checked up a little bit at the second bend and could'nt quite get his head in front down the back. He is a wonderfully honest dog who always gives everything and ran a game and gallant race to finish second to a very good winner. Star will now go to Belle Vue on Thursday for a trial prior to an entry for the following weeks £10,000 Laurels competition at the track.

On the syndicates front it looks as though we are all sold out!!

We will have some very exciting news in the next four to six weeks though and do have a new syndicate coming along for a superb young pup who has recently been born, we have also had a lot of interest from our members regarding the purchase of a six bend/staying type dog, if anybody would like to get involved with this possible syndicate then please contact us as soon as possible at admin@category1greyhounds.com to avoid disappointment as this syndicate should it proceed, is likely to fill very quickly.


(Lance and Advantage Johnny) © David Yanez


(Topstar running his heart out) © David Yanez

On Sunday all of our race dogs go to Coventry on an all open race card that give's Lance and team Iceman a total of six runners.

We are represented by Advantage Martti who goes in Division B of the 480M Maiden, Advantage Johnny is in Division B of the 480M Standard and Topstar Honcho takes in Division A of the 480M Standard. Lance also has Iceman Reeko in the Sprint, Iceman Echo in Division C of the 480M Maiden, whilst Iceman Boss goes in Division C of the 480M Standard.

It looks a great card and hopefully we will see plenty of our members there.

Big Chief has been to Clonmel this week and moved well round two bends, he will be in Ireland for at least another three or four weeks and we hope he continues to improve and progress under the expert guidance of Kevin and Marie who I know are both very pleased with him.

Only 2 shares remain in the Westmead Hawk x Jazz Hurricane syndicate, all our other syndicates are now closed and we are currently assessing a few options prior to looking to form a new syndicate in the near future.

Topstar Honcho returned to the race track at Oxford last night to record an impressive victory in what looked to be a very good race. Star's record now reads as three wins from five runs since he joined us from Ireland and although he slightly missed his break last night he showed what real pace he has and put himself in a position to win the race as they went in to the first bend.
The favourite for the race Ardbeg Kate who is a very useful bitch turned the first bend with Star and it was all set for a great match up from there on in, Star however got his head in front coming out of the second bend and going in to the back straight, from there on in though as hard as the favourite tried she was never going to pick up Star.
Going on to win by 2 lengths in 26.92 Star made a very pleasing return to his racing career and a huge amount of credit must go to Lance and the team for the hard work, time, dedication and patience they have put in and shown to get Star back on to the winners podium on his first race for nearly 12 weeks, it was a fantastic effort by both Star and all the team at Iceman Racing.
 
Advantage Johnny ran later on the card at 9.59pm in the £1,500 Tech-Shop Maiden Derby Final, Johnny missed his break quite badly and trapped out last. Going in to the first bend he was forced to just tuck in behind the other five dogs before checking out wide coming out of the second bend and show his pace down the back straight. The race had gone by this point as the favourite had stretched right away and Johnny just had too much ground to make up but ran on to finish a comfortable second, again doing himself and the Iceman team proud.
 
We are now looking to make some decisions in the coming week as to where both Star and Johnny will go next with a trail at Belle Vue a possibility for both with a view to a tilt at the Laurels later on in the month.

Oxfords 1st bend © David Yanez


Adavantage Johnny with Lance © David Yanez


Advantage Johnny on parade © David Yanez


Winners Jacket for Topstar Honcho © David Yanez


Presentation to connections of Topstar Honcho © David Yanez


Images © David Yanez No reproduction without prior consent.