1939 GREYHOUND DERBY

This race was run at the White City.

Highland Rum, a May 1937 red and fawn dog which was bred at Dungarvan in County Waterford, was sent to England to be trained by P. Fortune of Wimbledon. He won the Derby in runaway style, beating Carmel Ash in a time of 29.35, earning a purse of £1250.

Carmel Ash was bred in Scotland and trained at Harringay by E. Wright. The only finalist to remain unbeaten leading up to the final, but was then beaten by Highland Rum.

THE FINAL

With the withdrawl of Black Peter, who sustained an injury just before the final, the betting between the top 3 became very tight. Carmel Ash and Highland Rum were made 2/1 joint favourites with Mister Mutt the outsider at a shade above 12/1 and, in the event, the punters were correct but only just. As the boxes rose it was Mister Mutt who gained the early lead, from Highland and Carmel Ash. He maintained a 3 length lead as they approached the first, but runners bunched up behind him. As they went round the first there was severe bunching on the inside, giving Highland Rum a trouble free run on the wide outside. He took full advantage of this to take a five length lead down the back straight, with Carmel and Demotic Mack giving chase. While Carmel Ash did manage to run on strongly, he was still  two and a half lengths behind at the line, with Demotic a full 12 lengths further back in third.

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