Defining Year (Pat Smullen, far side) edged out Gretzky (Conor Hoban) in the finale at Dundalk© Photo Healy Racing
Many trainers switch horses between codes to good effect and the back from hurdling Defining Year (polytrack debut) travelled like a dream, last of the four runners, before swooping to triumph in the concluding Save Greyhound Racing At Wimbledon Race. The win was bringing up a double for Pat Smullen at Dundalk following his earlier success on Strategic Heights
In relation to the race title here, there will be a huge 'Show of Passion' supporting Wimbledon Greyhound Stadium at London's City Hall (2pm) on Monday as a letter from the Irish Minister of Agriculture, Food and the Marine will be delivered outlining the huge damage that would be inflicted on the Irish greyhound industry should London lose its last greyhound stadium.
Anyway back to this mile and a half contest where Gretzky went off a strongly supported 8/11 favourite.
He got to the front a furlong and a half out but Smullen was always looking confident on Dermot Weld and Dr Lambe's Defining Year, and his faith was justified as the Hawk Wing gelding found enough inside the last to prevail by a neck.
"He was entitled to win at the ratings but I was worried whether he'd get the mile and a half and it was a true run race.
"I'd say a mile and a quarter is probably his best trip," stated Smullen post race. (AM & EM)
