Could Usain bolt up at Newcastle?

Could Usain bolt up at Newcastle?

The Gone To The Dogs – Live! Team will head to Newcastle tomorrow evening for the Category One Time Greyhound Nutrition Northern Flat final plus Category Two Angel of The North final. Supporting opens over the six-bend and eight-bend distances will also feature on the show which will be streamed live on YouTube.

Speaking to Graham Banks and Chris Oliver from Greyhound News UK this afternoon, the task was set to pick out an eye-catching runner on the card, one that could go well at a price and the dart fell on the same greyhound for both Graham and Chris with Blueys Elle fancied in the Slingshot Sam Maiden Standard open race at 6.53 over the four-bend 480-metre distance at the Byker venue. 

The team had this to say about the Debbie Calvert-trained Doncaster raider. 

Graham Banks - Blueys Elle (T1, 6.53) has been progressing well in graded action at Doncaster in recent weeks and could give a good account of himself now stepping into Open Class action. Debbie Calvert's December 23 youngster has won four of his five starts at Doncaster, going from B3 to winning a B1, and has the benefit of a recent look round. 

He looks to have a decent-looking draw in the red box and wouldn't need to improve too much on that trial in order to feature at the finish.

Chris Oliver – Blueys Elle (T1, 6.53) Having made it four wins from five starts at Doncaster with a B1 success last time out, Debbie Calvert’s puppy posted a pleasing 28.72 trial at Newcastle last week. The December 2023 son of King Sheeran should come on for that look round and he looks a nice prospect.

Good luck to owners Mr P.Heron, Mr R Mcbrier, Mrs C Rose and trainer Debbie Calvert with Elle tomorrow evening at Newcastle.

Michael Smyth - Jacktavern Usain (T5, 7.27)

One that caught my eye and should go well is Jacktavern Usain from T5 in the Arena Racing Company Super Stayers open race at 7.27 over the marathon 895-metre trip. The Raymond Hale-trained youngster is very lightly raced and isn’t two until next month but in recent weeks he’s caught my eye a number of times, staying on well over an inadequate 480 metres. Last time out, over 640 metres in S3 graded company, Usain bolted up, winning by just over three lengths having hit the front off the final bend, he powered clear after the line and looks a nice prospect for marathon races going forward. This is, of course, a much more competitive race than his S3 win, but granted a clear run, he will be making his move on the second circuit and would be a danger to all if within striking distance.

A little later on Jacktavern Chief looks a major player in the Arena Racing Company Standard open race at 8.01. Chief missed the break badly last time out in the semi-finals of the Time Greyhound Nutrition Northern Flat and ran a cracker to get within two and a half lengths of the winner Hardwick Mighty. Only two qualified from each semi-final for the £12,500 to the winner final, so Chief was eliminated from the competition, but if he brings his trapping boots tomorrow, he can bounce back to form and land this for his connections.

Ticket and racing information can be viewed via the Newcastle Greyhound Stadium website. 

Doors open at 5.45pm with the first of 12 races on the night off at 6.37pm.