Notes:

“Looking over last year’s  preview, it shows me two things for sure; how quickly things can change and greyhound racing is full of ups and downs.

Last year’s first line was.. ‘On the back of a particularly successful start to the year…’

It’s rather different at the moment. The recent cold spell and some kennel sickness leaves us looking to the weeks and months ahead rather than particularly focusing on current activity – though we’re still rattling up winners most racedays – with the club’s canine queen Wendy (Hanover Lady) flying the flag in brilliant fashion these past weeks.

Crikey, it’s hard to believe that the Norahmac Racing Club is about to enter it’s third year! It’s great that we have become so established in a relatively short space of time. Fair play to my owners for their full support and my staff for always going the extra yard.

We seem to have shown the way and it’s exciting to see new racing clubs and syndicates popping up all over the country nearly every week.  Good luck to them all – the sport needs new owners and existing ones to stay in the game.

Our club looks likely to achieve our full capacity, of forty individual members, in the weeks ahead. Nearly all our current members have resubscribed for the new year, beginning March 1st, as well as a fair few newbies joining as news of our success continues.  Fifty winners up just last week!

A year ago we were getting by at Wimbledon but the highlight this past year – with it’s accompanying mixed blessings – has been our transfer to Hove stadium. It’s taken plenty of time acclimatizing, and we’ve still a way to go, but it’s got the kennel buzzing again and brought in new owners.

It’s a fresh start for us on the South coast all but we’ve still got our eyes on Wimbledon with runners for the Springbok, in March, and the Derby come the summer. We’re lucky to have the best of both worlds, I suppose.”

Prospects:

“Well as I said at the beginning, things change and the game is full of ups and downs! Looking ahead we’ve relatively few established stars, compared to this time last year, but we’ve some bright prospects likely to make the headlines in the next twelve months.

A youngster I really like, and I’m hoping he’ll make an impact on this year’s Derby, is Kizi. An April ’11 pup from a repeat mating of Big Daddy Cool and Airport Boss. He’s a fetching white and blue who had a light introduction the backend of last year. He’s a pacey sort and, despite being short on experience, he notched a graded sprint in 16.45. He’s resting currently and will be brought back in the weeks ahead with an eye on the ‘big event’ come June.

Gemma, my assistant, and Tim, my travelling head lad, have their eye on a couple of likely sorts too for Open and competitions. Gemma is looking forward to Roseville Maeve  (who had a decent mention last year),  especially when she gets going around six bends, whilst Tim thinks Droopys Brody will also make his mark in stayers’ contests. Both have already shown something a bit special on the track but there’s plenty to come as they strengthen and mature.

Look out for Brody in the week’s ahead and Molly (Roseville Maeve) come springtime.

Our latest addition to the  Norahmac Racing Club strength, Memories Leah, looks an exciting prospect. A March ’11 bitch, Leah won an A2 in a decent time in just her second run at Hove. Staying will be her game.

Our lightly-raced hurdler Druids Abouttime is tackling novice hurdle company at Wimbledon currently as preparation for the Springbok. He’s a natural jumper and also got to within a few ticks of breaking 30.00 over the Hove standard on the flat last summer. Second on his first run under lights over hurdles last Saturday, Lofty will improve considerably as he gains experience and his fitness develops.

I reckon we’ve some strength in depth with our graders, with a lot yet to come to hand.  I particularly like the look of Cellini and Droopys Bertha,  both of whom are lightly raced and still finding their feet.

Other youngsters that will make their mark in graded company are the Judicial pups, Babe and Speed. Both are still finding their way and will work through the grades as they fully come to hand.

For later in the year keep an eye out for a trio of Ballymac pups: Marine, Debbie and Kerry, who have just arrived from Ireland. They are just twelve months old and offspring fromBallymac Sharon who, after giving birth to the litter,  became our first trophy winner with the Hove Owner’s Association, winning three in a row on her return to racing! All are owned by great supporters Debbie and Mick, who are the proud owners of last year’s Coronation Cup winner, Rathglass Hero.

Anyway, that’s it for now. If you can’t get to the track don’t forget you can follow most of the runners from Hove  in the betting shops, Racing Post TV on Channel 212 and, on those big occasions,  Sky TV.

Be lucky!”

Norah – February 4th, 2013