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/ Darrell Williams / 03 May 2011 / Leave a Comment "With Minnies Penske the only middle runner up against four railers, Tony Collett’s bitch is taken to use the draw to her advantage and add her name alongside Midway Skipper, who became a rare dual winner of the contest twelve months ago"
Minnies Penske can claim TV Trophy glory at Sittingbourne on Wednesday evening - live on Sky Sports - and in doing so add her name to one of the sport's most prestigious Roll of Honour says Darrell Williams.
While nowadays courtesy of Sky Sports, greyhound racing is well served in terms of televised coverage, in years gone by the Television Trophy, covered by the BBC's Sportsnight, was an all too rare chance for the hounds to hit the small screen. Its marathon status and ever rotating host venue add further credence to what has become a truly annual highlight.
Until the unfortunate withdrawal of 2010 finalist Ministry Magpie on Tuesday, picking the winner looked almost no easier than before the three heats were staged eleven days ago. However, with Minnies Penske the only middle runner up against four railers, Tony Collett's bitch is taken to use the draw to her advantage and add her name alongside Midway Skipper, who became a rare dual winner of the contest twelve months ago.
If she is to win, Minnies Penske will need to reverse heat form with Knockies Hannah, who proved a tough nut to crack, and in my view rates the biggest danger. John Mullins' bitch found plenty on that occasion, but whether she will enjoy such a clear run remains to be seen with her initial move likely to be away from the rails. With quick-starting pair Killishin Masai and Slick Sapphire also drawn the wrong way round and Aero Gaga also looking for the rails from trap four, it's hard not to imagine early trouble in running, despite the fact the race is being contested over almost 900m!
Despite winning form over 905m at Nottingham, I wasn't convinced Slick Sapphire saw out the TV Trophy trip that well in the heats, and will need everything to go right for her to win, while Killishin Masai and Aero Gaga ultimately have a fair bit to find on the clock.
All of which suggests the Knockies Hannah/Minnies Penske heat may prove the one to concentrate on, and while the former might be worth a small saver, Minnies Penske, whose wide tactics may prove to her advantage, can reverse form to claim the big prize.
Sittingbourne should be proud of its supporting card, where Irish Derby favourite Droopys Greg (21:25) should prove the 'dot' for those not fussed about the price.
However it's the match up of Blonde Snapper and Westmead Maldini (20:50) which could prove the most exciting, with Mark Wallis' first-named having lost little in defeat when just going down to Bandicoot Tipoki in one of the buckles of the year so far on Trainers Championship night at Wimbledon. Given that was his first race since last summer, he should have enough improvement to beat 'Maldini', despite the latter's excellent win over the CD last week and a forecast on the pair rates a must.
The hurdles race (20:35) looks an absolute cracker and it's not easy to choose between Irish National winner Junior Mac and English National third Sizzlers Spirit. Both have useful form over the 480m trip - the latter holding the track-record - and by virtue of a more favourable draw, Norah McEllistrim's runner is given the verdict to make it five wins in his last six outings.
Big Flop showed excellent early speed in his TV Trophy heat, and was noted renewing his challenge after trouble at the second bend, all of which suggests he can take the beating in the Invitation Marathon (20:15) - in essence a TV Trophy consolation race, where he renews rivalry with three rivals from that race.
Mountjoy Moon, after a confidence boosting win at Hall Green in front of Sky cameras a fortnight ago, can deny improving Droopys Yoga, who looks well drawn in trap one, to claim the Puppy race (19:40).
Selections (in order of preference)
Big Flop 20:15
Mountjoy Moon 20:00
Minnies Penske 21:45
Blonde Snapper 20:50
Sizzlers Spirit 20:35
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