1961 GREYHOUND DERBY

This race was run at the White City.

EARLY ROUNDS

It was widely believed that the greyhounds that had dominated the 1960 competition would return to run well in the 1961 event, but this was not to be. Dogs like Duleek Dandy, Careless Look and Prairie Flashdid not manage to get past the first round. By the time round two had been completed the name to emerge as favourite was Oregon Prince, who had dominated both of his early rounds. Paddy McEvoy also had a quiet fancy for his dog, Palm's Printer, and had already recorded two previous Derby wins.

SEMI-FINAL

In the first semi-final it was Clopook, from trap 6, who broke smartly and led from the boxes only to swing wide at the bend and enable Palm's Printer, the 11/10 favourite, to lead on the inside. He continued to dominate down the back straight, despite the attentions of Clopook, but it was left to Spider Hill to make the final challenge. He had not managed to break well from the 5 box but had been game in running on strongly, failing by a length and a half to reach Palm's. The winner recorded a time of 28.68, while Clopook was a further 1/4 length back to secure the third qualifying position.

In the second semi it was widely thought that the unbeaten Oregon Prince would dominate at 11/4 on favourite and so it proved. He broke smartly and led around the first bend, taking a five length lead into the back straight. He began tying up in the home straight but comfortably held on by 2 lengths, in 28.74, from Luxury Liner with Winter Bell a further 5 3/4 length away in third. As a footnote, it was sad that the owner of Winter Bell was unable to witness his dogs progress into the final because he died on the morning of the semi-final

THE FINAL

I am grateful to Henry May for providing his memories of the final. It was a two dog race from soon after the first bend. The betting made Oregon Prince the 6/4 fav, but Palm's Printer was quietly fancied at 2/1. While Clopook and Luxury Liner broke smartly they were to both swing wide at the first allowing Palm's Printer, from his favoured inside box, to lead at the bend and stay on the rails, challenged by Oregon Prince who ran upsides, but never headed him. It was a fair race, with no bumping whatsoever, and try as he might Oregon just could not go by, particularly when he checked at the fourth bend. It was left to Palm's Printer to come home a length and a quarter clear of the favourite in a time of 28.84.There was little doubt that the best dog won on the night. Henry further comments that his fathers friend, George Harris, had been offered Palm's Printer for just £400 but had turned him down because of a perceived defect on one foot. Some would say "That's cricket" , but it's actually dog racing!!!

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Be the first person to provide an account of this final, or to have a picture of the winner, published on this page.

Email me at johnslusar@fsmail.net

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