Edith, Scooby and Oscar all set for Vixons Contracts Ltd final at Monmore

Nathan Hunt kennel update as Bang On Edith, Scooby The Boss and Newinn Oscar head to Monmore on Saturday, August 23. 

Trainer Nathan Hunt has reported all three heat winners of the Vixons Contracts Ltd Trophy are fit and well and will head Monmore on Saturday evening for the Category Three final worth £1500 to the winner. 

Vixons Contracts LTD heat winners - Bang On Edith, Scooby The Boss and Newinn Oscar. Image - Nathan Hunt X

Speaking about the first-round heats and draw for the final, Hunt said: “It was nice to win the three heats; they all ran well. The draw for the final isn’t great. Newinn Oscar (T4) ideally needs to be closer to the rails, but he will not be diving for it. 

"Bang On Edith (T2) looks well-drawn and could lead round while Scooby The Boss from T3 would have come on loads from the heats and will be staying on. Bang On Edith is strong when leading, but it’s all on the break with her. She doesn’t like to be behind and has struggled with that in competitions. She’s classy when she gets it right and goes into the final with every chance. 

"Scooby The Boss is coming back from a cough. He moved well in a trial and ran well last week and would have needed that run. He was hanging on at the end but will come on loads. 

"Newinn Oscar is lightly raced and did it well from the front last week. He drove the third and fourth bends really well and has a chance on Saturday.’’

On Saturday evening Inca Lewie runs in the Ladbrokes 630 open race at 8.13. Speaking about Lewie, Nathan Hunt said: “Ideally, we would have aimed Lewie at a maiden open, but we took our chances in the Summer Stayers Classic, and it was a fantastic achievement for him to win a first-round heat for his owners. Going forward, he could potentially go to Romford; I think the 575-metre trip will suit.’’

Attention then moved to the Puppy Classic on Monday, August 25 at Nottingham with £12,500 up for grabs in the Category One final. 

Nathan Hunt had this to say about Whisky Elsa: “She did remarkably well to get into the final. She trapped well in the semi-finals and was brave at the corner. She then showed good middle pace and drove the third bend really and grabbed the qualifying spot. I’m really pleased for her owner, Ben Owen. He has the Whisky prefix, and this will be his first Category One final. We're pleased she’s into the final, but it looks a hot race with Romeo Alliance in T1, he hasn’t put a foot wrong in the competition, and Kevin's dog (Kranky Drake) who looks a really nice type. Clear run, safe and sound for Elsa, then potentially we will aim her at the Oaks around Dunstall Park. 

Nathan Hunt - Trainer of Whisky Elsa, Nottingham Puppy Classic finalist. Image - Nathan Hunt X 

On Monday, August 18, Zebedee Cluasa and Cunnigar Yousir both landed heats of the nottinghamgreyhounds 480 trophy for the kennel and Hunt said: “Zebedee Cluasa went round in a flying 28.25, the fastest time for four years. We bred him ourselves; he’s a brother to Bang On Edith. The owners have been really patient with him because he used to turn in the traps, but they are rewarded now. He’s really pacey when he gets it right at the boxes. He broke well from T4 but is a railer. He’s got a nice draw in the final, so if he traps, he will go well.''

Trainer Nathan Hunt with Zebedee Cluasa. Image Nathan Hunt X

Moving onto Cunnigar Yousir Hunt added: “T4 in the final isn’t ideal, but he has smashed out from that box in the past. It’s a short run to the bend over 480 metres at Nottingham, so you never know.''

Trainer Nathan Hunt with Cunnigar Yousir. Image Nathan Hunt X

Perry Barr race for the last time on Saturday evening a track with fond memories for Nathan Hunt. On Saturday evening, Hunt sends Droopys Flotilla for the Dunstall Park Launch Night Friday, September 19th open race over the six-bend 660-metre trip and Untold Pannga for the Arena Racing Company Standard open race at 9.20 which will be the last ever open race to take place at the Birmingham track. 

End of an era. Perry Barr final race night on Saturday, August 23. Image Perry Barr Dogs X

“It’s was one of the first tracks I ever went to, and I used to go for the sales there as well. It’s a excellent racing surface, one of the best in the country, so hopefully Dunstall Park will be the same,’’ said Hunt. 

Speaking about his runners on Saturday evening, Hunt added: “Droopys Flotilla returns to action on Saturday evening following season. We thought about the Select Stayers at Nottingham, but she wouldn’t have been ready for that and to take on Mongys Wild. Her previous form around Perry Barr is decent, she’s well-drawn in T1. The race will bring her on, and then she might go for the St Leger. Untold Pannga had a split web and returns on Saturday over four-bends. His best form is at Romford, but he has won at Perry Barr, if he gets it right at the boxes, he should go well. 

Droopys Flotilla, George Curtis & Ballyregan Bob Memorial heats. Hove 30th November 2024. Photo: © Steve Nash

Finally, during a general chat about the kennel, Nathan added: “Icemans Girl is fit and well. She traveled back to Ireland with John Kennedy a few days ago and is living with them in the house. Once she breaks into season, Gerwyn Price (owner of Icemans Girl) will hopefully have a couple from the littler. 

ICEMANS GIRL with Lacie Moran after winning the PCS Ladies Stakes at Towcester, December 21st 2024. Photo: © Steve Nash

Meenagh Minsk was the final subject of conversation, with Hunt saying: “She ran in the Suncroft Festival Puppy Oaks at Shelbourne Park back in April and then broke into season. She had a trial last week and will be aimed at the Oaks at Dunstall Park. The 480 metres should be ideal for her.

Meenagh Minsk could head to Dunstall Park for the Oaks. Image Nathan Hunt X