WINTER RACING FESTIVAL A POSSIBLE OPTION FOR BRILLIANT CLUE

Ian Fortune

On Saturday night Droopys Clue created history by capturing the St Leger at Perry Barr for the second time, becoming the first greyhound in the long history of the classic to do so.

The sensationally fast son of Out Of Range was pushed very hard in the contest but, despite not being a hundred percent, he came through to beat Clona Curly by three parts of a length.

It confirmed his standing as the very best over six bends across the pond and in the subsequent hours his handler Seamus Cahill mentioned that a trip to the Winter Racing Festival was still possible. Speaking to the Racing Post on Sunday, Cahill said of his charge: “This morning he’s a bit stiff and we’ll get our physio to look at him again. I suspect a minor hip issue and he’ll now rest for some eight to ten weeks. Shelbourne’s Winter Racing Festival is a possibility, otherwise it will be a case of looking to next year. It’s hard to believe that in the long history of the St Leger, which has seen some remarkable champions, he’s the first to win it twice. I wouldn’t rule out him going for it a third time. Of course we’d prefer it was staged by Perry Barr!”

It may be only a ‘possibility’ but wouldn’t it be great to see the English champion back on these shores. Of course, he took his chance in the 750yd contest last year but met bad traffic before taking a tumble on the opening bend.

It would be wonderful to see what he could produce at St Lotts Road venue with a clear passage. Could you imagine if he and Tuono Charlie were to meet? Now that would be something special.