Transition news

As of Wednesday 14th March Norah is still unclear as to exactly which dates will mark her move. That said it will be sometime during the first two weeks of April.

In the meantime, trials at Hove will commence from this Monday, 19th, and it’s likely a decent van load will be travelling south next week. These will include Droopys Leonard, the club’s new acquisition, our youngster will need three trials to qualify onto the card – likely to be one a week over consecutive weeks.

Additionally, some great news as the ‘Woodster’ returns to active duty. Yes, that’s right our metatarsally-challenged blue returns to the track, trialling at Hove on Monday! A real club favourite, there’s rarely a dull moment with Woody (Fleetwood Rocker) and the 515 metre trip should be right up his alley. Fingers crossed he stays injury free this Spring.

On the other hand Droopys Ellen now finds herself with plenty of time to settle into her new surroundings, having come  into season earlier this week.  This is not altogether bad news, as now is a better time than ‘down the line’ and our August  ’10 bitch will be stronger on her return in about ten weeks.

Social

As part of the transition it’s likely that some kind of informal farewell event will take place at Plough Lane to mark the end of an era – Norah is thinking about what’s suitable, appropriate and practical. Whatever comes about, it’s likely to not be without emotion! The last race of her last night which (one way or another) will be sponsored runs with the working title of; ‘I Thought They’d Take Me Out In A Coffin’ stakes!

Looking beyond the ending to the new beginning, it’s likely that we’ll have a get together at Hove within a few weeks of the new contract. Watch this space for updates as plans firm up.

Norah has mentioned that’s she’s been invited to have her kennel represented at the Kingdom of Kerry Greyhound Festival at The Kingdom Stadium, Tralee. Given the kennel strength around the time,  it’s Norah’s plan to participate and she’s expecting our ‘away’ support for the team!

In conjunction with the racing, a trip to some of the Irish connection’s kennels is on the cards – maybe we’ll be buying something?.  So keep the dates around the first weekend in July free for the Norahmac Club’s Irish Jig!

Review

From a social standpoint last Saturday evening’s F.A.B. do was a roaring success. Team Norahmac took over about a quarter of the restaurant at Plough Lane and made it their own. Over one hundred and ten turned out with several more late-comers unfortunately suffering disappointment.

As with our September ’11 event,  track success was limited to a single winner.  Nevertheless the wallet lightening did not put any kind of dampener on the entertainment value – with fun and frolics throughout.

It did prove an opportunity to put names to faces – an activity which will be useful when we are re-convening informally on the Nevill Road terraces next month. Last year’s trophies were shared out and Norah (despite what she had just been through – having just broken the news to track management) was around and about laughing and joking with her guests.

Preview

This weekend has our three regulars taking another tilt at graded glory. Wendy (Hanover Lady), who failed to gain her usual swift break last week, takes her chance in the A2 at 9.58pm on Friday. There’s a couple of useful types in opposition so she’ll need to put her best foot forward to land the spoils.

Saturday’s card features a host of kennel representatives and, for the club, Horse Outside and Oscar Lima are in action.

‘Horse’ lines up against some useful and experienced rivals in the A1 at 9.30pm. This week he’s boxed in ‘two’ and a clear passage at the first bend is no sure thing.  He ran okay last week but still didn’t appear to be firing on all cylinders and will need to show improved form if he is to trouble the judge in this heat. Fingers crossed.

Oscar takes to the stage in the next event the A2 at 945. Our big black again secures the ‘stripes’ and should stay on well enough to figure in the medals but still seems a little over-faced at this level of competition.