Chief, Magic and Scratch set for the Peter Billingham Memorial final

Maxine Locke kennel update 

Chief, Magic and Scratch all set for the Peter Billingham Memorial final on Saturday, August 23 at Monmore. 

Trainer Maxine Locke has reported that all three of her runners are fit and well ahead of the Category Three final at Monmore over the four-bend 480-metre trip. 

Monmore finalists from the Maxine Locke kennel. Image - Bonville Racing X account 

Speaking about The Other Chief, Maxine Locke said: “He’s a really promising pup. He would have come on loads for his first look round, he was very green. Going into the final on Saturday, he looks well-drawn and he’s a nice prospect. In the long term, the Puppy Derby at Towcester could be the plan for him.’’

Turnthemagicon showed excellent back straight pace in the heats of the Peter Billingham Memorial Trophy heats last week and trainer Maxine Locke had this to say about the September 2023 son of Ballymac Cashout: “He’s got real gears. He kenneled badly on his first visit to Monmore a few weeks back when he had to wait in the paddock during a storm. He got worked up prior to the race and then cramped coming home over the trip. We then took our time with him. He moved well in a trial, clocking 28.06 and then won last week after missing the break.''

Turnthemagicon. Image - Pompey Ventures X

Speaking about the draw in T4, Locke added: "Ideally he'd have T6 but kennelmate Droopys Scratch has that draw. He could move off from T4 on Saturday, but if he traps level he will be away and gone. Long term we’d love him to be a Derby dog, but he will need to strengthen for that. He’s a lovely type, and is perfect at home. It's just when he goes the track he wants to get on with it and that builds up some anxiety in him, hopefully that’ll settle down in time.’’

Turnthemagicon. Tweet and image from Bonville Racing X

Moving onto Droopys Scratch in T6, Locke added: “She was bought out of the Towcester sales. Last week she ran really well and nearly led round and did well to win after riding that early bump. She looks like a strong type and is learning on the job. They are all pups, it looks like a hot race and Patrick Janssens Not So Steady in T3 is the one they all have to beat.’’

Back on Saturday, March 15, Headford Dane landed the Premier Greyhound Racing Puppy Derby over the four-bend 480-meter trip at the Midlands venue Monmore. Since then, Dane has only had three competitive races and now finds himself in another final on Saturday, the Ladbrokes Gold Cup with £10,000 up for grabs in the Category One event. 

Speaking about the August 2023 son of Ballymac Bolger Maxine Locke said: “We love Dane, he’s a super dog. I’m not sure if he can lead round in the final but hopefully he get a clear run. Gingers Prince in T3 is very pacey but might edge towards the rails and that could give us a bit of room into the corner. Headford Dane has had his setbacks in recent months, going lame and then the kennel having a cough, but he’s back to his best now, and he loves Monmore. If he turns level, he will have every chance.’’

Headford Dane - PGR Puppy Derby winner. Image Monmore Dogs X

Ballybough Nutz was next on the agenda with the September 2022 son of King Sheeran running in the Ladbrokes 480 open race from T3 on Saturday evening at 9.39. Locke said: “He went lame after a flying 28.87 run in the Derby, and it's taken him ages to come back. He had a sprint race last week and stayed on well to the drop. This looks a hot enough race, and he’s out in T3, which isn’t ideal. He’s a railer, but the main thing is safe and sound, and then we can move forward with him.’’

Droopys Will lines up from T4 division two of the Ladbrokes 480 at 6.31 and Locke had this to say about Will: “We entered him into the BetGoodwin Pall Mall around Oxford but sadly he didn’t get in. That’s why he’s run at Romford recently, but he doesn’t seem to trap round there. The longer run to the bend at Monmore will suit and he could lead round. He’s had a long time off the track following injuries. He did his hock last year and has screws in it now. It’s no bother to him, he’s fit and well. The owners were fantastic, they gave him time and gave him a chance to come back and are rewarded now. He's a lovely dog. 

The final subject of conversation was The Other Winx, who runs from T4 in the Ladbrokes Puppy open at 7.06 on Saturday, August 23. Locke said: “She could end up as a stayer in time. She is only young and is open to improvement. She really tries, but has had no luck in her races to date. She's as game as they come, and you never know on Saturday. They all have Strike It Skye to beat from the Mark Wallis kennel. She looks like a nice type.''

Over at Shelbourne Park, the Maxine Locke-trained Ballymac Axel will line up from T6 in heat 23 at 10.08 on Saturday evening. Axel clocked 29.75 in a four-bend trial at Shelbourne over the Boylesports Irish Greyhound Derby trip following a 3.46 sectional into the first bend and 17.25 clock at the third corner. The lightly raced wide seed is a 66/1 chance with the sponsors for outright honours. The first-round heats take place on Friday, August 22 and Saturday, August 23 with four from each heat heading into the draw for the second-round heats that take place a week later. 

Ballymac Axel all set for the Irish Greyhound Derby first-round heat on Saturday, August 23. Image - Bonville Racing X