Though we never want them, it’s the lows that make the highs so sweet.  This past week has been particularly difficult following the incidents at Hove on Thursday which have really tested the mettle of Norah and the kennel team.

Most unfortunately Sizzlers Spirit (Bernard in the kennels) broke a hock whilst contesting his hurdle race. Sent off big odds-on favourite and heralded in the Racing Post preview the ‘hurdling star of his generation’, the four year old will not be returning to action and will now be retired.

To add to the woe Johnny Cash finished lame after the Olympic Final and will be off for most of the summer too.

Club news

Rumble (Black Ace Mac) is expected to trial this coming Wednesday morning.

Gino (Horse Outside) is having a brief bout of physio on a slight shoulder injury.  Norah thinks this could explain his somewhat disappointing runs over the last two weeks.  He is fully expected to be back within a week or two.

Poor old Woody (Fleetwood Rocker) has really been in the wars. Complications to his toe injury mean that he has to have an operation which involves taking out the toe. Needless to say this will impact on his career.  Initially it will be a couple of months off the track and we can only hope that the operation doesn’t take too much from his ability.

On a general note I have first hand experience of the optimistic and stoic attitude of our club members – most of whom have previously experienced the ups and downs of the game.  Not a single member has bemoaned our disappointing first few months which is a credit to the club and to our trust in Norah, who always puts the greyhounds’ well-being first.

Fingers crossed it can only get better.

Silver linings

Club members Alan and Carole Spriggs and their syndicate are enjoying graded success with back to back victories with their youngster Ballymac Soul. Whilst Zodiac Zeus gained automatic entry into the Kent Derby with a short-head victory in a Trial Stakes at Sittingbourne on Sunday evening.