2006 GREYHOUND DERBY

This race was run at Wimbledon on 3rd June 2006

The GREYHOUND DERBY FINAL

THE RESULT

The on-track betting suggested that two dogs would dominate the final, Mineola Farloe being backed from 6/1 to 7/2 , while well over £100,000 forced Westmead Hawk from 8/11 to 4/7 touching 1-2 occasionally. Money seemed to talk as the traps opened with Mineola Farloe flying on the inside while Amarillo Slims slick exit on the wide outside saw him lead just ahead of Clash Darby.

Rounding the first bend Mineola held a slight lead from Amarillo Slim and Clash Darby, but Westmead Hawk had made an unusually good start. Rounding the second bend Mineola opened a 3 length lead from Amarillo, but Westmead had already started taking closer order in third. Down the far side Mineola maintained a 2 length lead but as they approached the final bend Westmead was ominously close up. Rounding the final bend Mineolas lead hung by a thread and Westmead delivered his final telling run for the line to get up by ¾ length with Amarillo a further length behind in third. Westmead Joe was never nearer than a further length behind in fourth, with Cleenas Lady and Clash Darby bringing up the rear. The winning time of 28.44 was the fastest in the Derby this year.

Grateful thanks to Anthony Simester for the photo.

The Semi-Finals

FIRST SEMI-FINAL

Amarillo Slim, the 7/4 fav, led from the boxes from Clash Darby and Brookvill Genius, with Westmead Joe last early on. Around the first bend Amarillo Slim built up a clear lead from Clash Darby as Westmead Joe started to make ground. Rounding the final bend Amarillo maintained his lead with Westmead challenging for second place. At the line Amarillo prevailed by a length and a half in an impressive 28.78, with Westmead Joe (3/1) outstaying Clash Darby (14/1) for the runner up spot.

SECOND SEMI-FINAL

Mineola Farloe led from the boxes from Cleenas Lady and Ice and Lemon. Ballymac Pires was close up with Larkhill Jim and Westmead Hawk scrimmaging for the last position. Down the far side Mineola went 4 lengths clear from Cleenas Lady and Ballymac Pires with Westmead Hawk starting to make a move. Even round the final bend the Hawk had at least 5 lengths to make up, but astounded the cheering crowd by getting up in the final strides to score by a head in 28.62.  Mineola Farloe (5/1) was second, qualifying for the final a second time, and Cleenas Lady, the only bitch, securing third place at 10/1.

The Quarter Finals

First Quarter

Clash Darby led from the traps with Vancouver Style and Cleenas Lady follwing him around the first bend. He extended his lead down the far side, followed by Cleenas with Vancouver dropping back. As they approached the final bend Larkhill Jim tried to deliver a challenge but Clash Darby held on comfortably to spring a surprise at 25/1.

Second Quarter

Brookfield Genius was fast away from the traps to contest the lead with Bubbly Classic at the first bend, Ice and Lemon following them around, from Yorkshire, Saving Time and Greenfield Flash at the rear. Bubbly took over around the second bend and went two lengths clear, with Ice and Lemon taking closer order. Around the final bend Bubbly held on for a length and 3/4 victory in 28.52 at the rewarding price of 8/1. Ice and Lemon was second at 7/2 with Brookfield Genius taking the final qualifying spot at 6/1.

Third Quarter

Courts Ad Be was first away but was quickly overtaken at the first by Mineola Farloe and Amarillo Slim. Around the third bend Mineola maintained a slight lead from Amarillo and Milldean Billy, but around the final bend Westmead Joe mounted a challenge which was to prevail by a short head in 28.60 from Amarillo Slim with Mineola a length and a quarter back in third. Westmead won at 5/2 with Mineola going off the 4/6 favourite.

Fourth Quarter

The final heat was a cracker with Fear Me fastest away but the lead was short lived as Ballymac Pires and Blue Majestic took over at the first. Fear Me and Westmead Hawk were bumped and Baran Zeus did not finish. As they approached the final bend Ballymac held a length lead but Westmead was threatening. Down the final straight Westmead just got the better of Ballymac by 3/4 length with Blue Majestic qualifying for another semi final some 2 lengths back. The winners time was 28.58 and it was returned the 8/11 fav.

Breeding Chart with grateful thanks to Anthony Simester

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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