Wombles R We
18/12/08 18:45 Filed in: update
I set off for the bright lights of London and Wimbledon Stadium with the task of making the draw for the kennel’s charity raffle, arrived at the train station with ten minutes to spare only to find that the car park was full up. A mad dash down to the town center, dumped the car, ran (sort of!) up the road and got on the platform with a minute to spare. I guess I was a right sight for sore eyes huffing and puffing.
A phone call to Owen at Wimbledon Stadium to double check the raffle drum was in place and to finalise exactly when and where they wanted me, no point leaving things to chance and with everything sorted, I could relax and enjoy the journey.
I arrived at the Hotel that I and many others had used for many years on visiting for the Derby, it has been completely upgraded after its takeover and is now one impressive hotel (Antoinettehotels.com). A bonus of a new bar bistro that is very smart with very attentive and friendly staff, I am already looking forward to my yearly jaunt to WImbledon in the Summer.
I arrived at the track around 6.15pm, after sorting out the raffle tickets into the drum I could relax a little more. David Miles, whom I asked to make the draw arrived with his wife Elle and i caught up on whats been happening with David outside of the dogs, he has missed the social side of the dogs and I intend getting him back involved in a small way this coming year, hopefully with Jim Cremin (who does’nt know yet, but he’d better start saving up lol) and a few other of his friends.
The racing on the night was absolutely superb with special mention to Romeo Maldini’s run, the pace down the back straight was unreal and as he strode out and went further and further clear I honestly thought “the clocks going to go”. This lad is a credit to Dave Firmiger’s dedicated work, great performances from Wee Gangus’s (Rab McNair to others) pup King Edward and Mark Wallis’s Mountjoy Ruby to name but two.
The final was fantastic with Meenala Amy rocketing from the boxes, very quickly pursued by Droopys Quinta, the bend approached. Amy was having none of it, and made the Oaks winning move in sweeping down on the bend, with this Quinta moved off the bend creating carnage and Amy set sail for home down the back straight, would five lengths be enough? YES it would be and hanging on for grim death she passed the post in first place to the great joy of Kim (trainer) Chris (partner and assistant), Richie and the rest of the owners, a very big well done to them all on a fantastic achievement by Amy and her handlers.
The whole meeting was a success and very nice to see so many smiling faces at a dog track, obviously not all doom and gloom as some would have us believe, think positive and we will be alright.
The main reason for my visiting Wimbledon was obviously the raffle. I am very grateful to Wimbledon for the use of their track and to Sky for allowing me precious air time TV coverage, the winning ticket was number 0472 which belonged to Pamela Francis from Wales.
Pam had at one time been a member of a little puppy syndicate I had put together and I know that she will look after this little girl, the amount raised for Macmillan Cancer Support was £4700 to which they will be eternally grateful. I cannot express enough how much I appreciate the support of the greyhound fraternity, you truly are a wonderful bunch of people and I am really proud to be involved in this sport.
If ever anyone would like to chat to someone about Cancer and what may be available, I am only too happy to chat, if it helps you, please ring 01289 386766 or contact Macmillan at www.macmillan.org.uk
Hopefully I will have news shortly about the 2009 benefit meeting, I shall be having initial talks with a stadium and you will hear developments here first.
A phone call to Owen at Wimbledon Stadium to double check the raffle drum was in place and to finalise exactly when and where they wanted me, no point leaving things to chance and with everything sorted, I could relax and enjoy the journey.
I arrived at the Hotel that I and many others had used for many years on visiting for the Derby, it has been completely upgraded after its takeover and is now one impressive hotel (Antoinettehotels.com). A bonus of a new bar bistro that is very smart with very attentive and friendly staff, I am already looking forward to my yearly jaunt to WImbledon in the Summer.
I arrived at the track around 6.15pm, after sorting out the raffle tickets into the drum I could relax a little more. David Miles, whom I asked to make the draw arrived with his wife Elle and i caught up on whats been happening with David outside of the dogs, he has missed the social side of the dogs and I intend getting him back involved in a small way this coming year, hopefully with Jim Cremin (who does’nt know yet, but he’d better start saving up lol) and a few other of his friends.
The racing on the night was absolutely superb with special mention to Romeo Maldini’s run, the pace down the back straight was unreal and as he strode out and went further and further clear I honestly thought “the clocks going to go”. This lad is a credit to Dave Firmiger’s dedicated work, great performances from Wee Gangus’s (Rab McNair to others) pup King Edward and Mark Wallis’s Mountjoy Ruby to name but two.
The final was fantastic with Meenala Amy rocketing from the boxes, very quickly pursued by Droopys Quinta, the bend approached. Amy was having none of it, and made the Oaks winning move in sweeping down on the bend, with this Quinta moved off the bend creating carnage and Amy set sail for home down the back straight, would five lengths be enough? YES it would be and hanging on for grim death she passed the post in first place to the great joy of Kim (trainer) Chris (partner and assistant), Richie and the rest of the owners, a very big well done to them all on a fantastic achievement by Amy and her handlers.
The whole meeting was a success and very nice to see so many smiling faces at a dog track, obviously not all doom and gloom as some would have us believe, think positive and we will be alright.
The main reason for my visiting Wimbledon was obviously the raffle. I am very grateful to Wimbledon for the use of their track and to Sky for allowing me precious air time TV coverage, the winning ticket was number 0472 which belonged to Pamela Francis from Wales.
Pam had at one time been a member of a little puppy syndicate I had put together and I know that she will look after this little girl, the amount raised for Macmillan Cancer Support was £4700 to which they will be eternally grateful. I cannot express enough how much I appreciate the support of the greyhound fraternity, you truly are a wonderful bunch of people and I am really proud to be involved in this sport.
If ever anyone would like to chat to someone about Cancer and what may be available, I am only too happy to chat, if it helps you, please ring 01289 386766 or contact Macmillan at www.macmillan.org.uk
Hopefully I will have news shortly about the 2009 benefit meeting, I shall be having initial talks with a stadium and you will hear developments here first.
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